When the PlayStation 4 Pro was first released, Sony introduced the "Enhanced" label to signify that the game utilized the console's better hardware to offer improved frame rates and resolutions. With the PS5 Pro expected to arrive this year, there are reports that Sony will require developers to hit specific requirements with their games in order to earn the "PS5 Pro Enhanced" label.
Insider-Gaming has reportedly seen documents that detail the requirements for a game to be labeled "PS5 Pro Enhanced" (which is currently being called the 'Trinity Enhanced' label internally). According to the report, PlayStation wants PS5 Pro Enhanced games to offer a "PS5 Pro-exclusive graphics mode" that will combine the following features:
- PSSR to upscale resolution to 4K
- A constant 60FPS
- Add or increase ray tracing effects
Insider-Gaming has a pretty good track record and even confirmed the recent PS5 Pro leaked specs. The publication states that the faster RAM (28% faster) and faster GPU (67% larger than the standard console and 45% faster) will allow developers to hit these benchmarks. PlayStation believes this improved hardware will make the PS5 Pro 45% faster than the standard PS5 console and "can provide twice the rendering speed of the standard console."
The documents also reveal that a game can be given the PS5 Pro Enhanced label if it offers any of the following enhancements:
- Increased target resolution for titles that run a fixed resolution on the standard console
- Increased target maximum resolution for titles that run at variable resolution on the standard console
- Increased target frame rate for titles that target a fixed frame rate on the standard console
- Inclusion of PS5 Pro Raytracing effects
Sony hasn't actually announced the PlayStation 5 Pro yet, but there are reports that numerous first-party studios have been working with devkits for the new system since September 2023. It's believed that third-party developers have had access since January 2024. Test kits, which will be identical to the final product, are said to be coming in Spring 2024.
As of right now, Sony hasn't confirmed the new system, but it's believed that the PS5 Pro will launch this holiday 2024 season. It's possible this date could shift though, especially since there's a lack of first-party games scheduled to release on PlayStation 5 this year.
The PlayStation 5 was first released in November 2020. As of December 2023, the console had sold over 50 million units worldwide. In February, Sony confirmed that the PS5 was in the "latter stage of its lifecycle" and lowered it sales forecast from 25 million to 21 million for the 2023 financial year.