The gaming community has been itching for any details regarding the next-gen Sony console, the PS5. Although not much has been disclosed regarding the project, we do, however, have some new info that hints towards the implementation of ray tracing tech into the PS5.
Rumors regarding Sony’s next venture started circulating a couple of years ago. Sadly, we don’t know much about the console right now but there have been instances of leaks and rumors suggesting that, among other features, backward compatibility might be a possibility.
Apart from the backward compatibility rumors, industry experts have speculated that the PS5 will feature DDR5 memory, up to 12 GB, and a GPU at par with the RTX 2070 by Nvidia. This could very well be true because the RTX line by Nvidia is known for its ray tracing capabilities which is exactly what has been spotted in recent job listings on Sony’s website.
New PlayStation Job Listing suggests PS5 might have Ray tracing capability
A job listing for “lead Graphics Engineer” was spotted earlier on Sony’s website. Among the many requirements, what I found interesting is the mention of “Modern GI/raytracing techniques”. Does this mean Sony plans on implementing ray tracing into their next-gen console? Well, from a modern gaming perspective it doesn’t sound that far fetched as ray tracing is currently the big thing in the gaming world. Granted that the technology is not very well implemented right now and only a few games currently support it, it does not seem out of the realm of possibility that the next-gen consoles would also feature this technology.
PS5 RenderThe complete job listing, below, also mentions volumetric rendering and virtual reality. However, it must be noted that all three of these requirements are not must haves but rather stated under “nice to have”.
It is difficult to assess whether these features are a priority for Sony or are they only experimenting with the idea right now. Given how the console won’t come out until 2021, I would argue that the company has a lot of time to work out the details as the project is only in rudimentary stages right now.
Job description
Lead Graphics Engineer – Research & DevelopmentWhy PlayStation
PlayStation isn’t just the Best Place to Play —it’s also the Best Place to Work. We’ve thrilled gamers since 1994, when we launched the original PlayStation. Today, we’re recognized as a global leader in interactive and digital entertainment. The PlayStation brand falls under Sony Interactive Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation.
About R&D
R&D are PlayStation’s technology experts. We develop innovative technologies that push the boundaries of play, helping game developers make the best games on PlayStation by creating a world class SDK.
The role
Reporting to the Senior Manager of the SDK Game Technologies team, you will lead a small team of engineers delivering state of the art graphics technologies for the global PlayStation developer community.
What you’ll be doing
- Lead a small team of engineers
- Take an active role in development work (design and implementation)
- Research state of the art graphics technologies
- Drive decisions about bringing the technologies to PlayStation
- Deliver technologies for developers as part of the SDK
What we are looking for
Must have
- Experience leading teams developing graphics and/or engine technologies
- Good people skills – able to mentor more junior members of staff
- Strong C++ and graphics programming skills, with experience of the latest low-level graphics APIs on PC/console (e.g. DirectX12, Vulkan or platform SDKs for current-generation consoles)
- Good understanding of computer hardware architecture
- Experience of low-level coding, performance analysis and optimization
- Comfortable with shader programming on modern GPUs
- Passionate about computer graphics and games, forward thinking, and keen to be at the forefront of the next generation of consoles
- Strong technical background in maths or computer science, educated to at least degree level or with equivalent experience
- Experience working in a production environment
- Good presentation and communication skills
Nice to have
- Modern GI/raytracing techniques
- Physically based rendering pipelines
- Volumetric rendering
- Virtual Reality
Benefits of working at R&D
- Technology development is not constrained by specific games/engines. There is time and space to research and develop cutting edge technologies
- Opportunities to work on collaborative projects with R&D teams in Tokyo and in San Mateo, with the wider Sony group, and with academia
- Opportunities to attend relevant conferences (e.g. SIGGRAPH)
- Innovation time for research and projects of your own choosing
- Opportunities to participate in global hackathons
- Relaxed working environment with high level of trust and autonomy. All staff are encouraged to express their views and challenge the status quo
Benefits of working at PlayStation
- Annual bonus opportunity
- London allowance
- Excellent in house training opportunities
- 25 days holiday plus national holidays
- Private medical insurance
- Free onsite gym
- Onsite bar open on Thursday and Friday evenings
- Generous staff discount across all Sony products
- Plus, many more exciting benefits
Equal opportunity statement
PlayStation 5 Release Date Rumors
According to a report back in May last year, Sony Interactive CEO John Kodera revealed to the Wall Street Journal that the PS5 would not be releasing until at least 2021. However, some industry experts think that the release date quoted in that interview was by no means final and could be changed to 2020. In any case, there is at least a 2-year wait until the PS5 comes out.
Let me know in the comments what you think regarding the rumors and if ray tracing is a worthy feature for the PS5.