Nvidia's Controversial DLSS 5 AI Filter Leaks And…
An experimental, unfinished build of Nvidia's DLSS 5 AI filter leaked online, causing unintended visual transformations of popular video game characters
- Incident date
- Aug 2026
- Target
- Scarlett Johansson
In late August 2026, an unfinished version of Nvidia’s upcoming DLSS 5 Neural Rendering technology leaked via an early access build of NBA 2K27. Modders quickly utilized the leaked library file to force the generative AI upscaling mode into various titles, resulting in bizarre and unintended character transformations.
What happened
The leak originated from an "nvngx_dlssnr.dll" library file found in the early access files for NBA 2K27, which contained the unreleased runtime for DLSS 5. Within five hours, the RenoDX modding community successfully enabled the tech in Remedy Entertainment’s Control. Modders subsequently expanded the filter to other games, including The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
The visual results were widely criticized for creating "unnerving" appearances. In Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, the AI filter notably altered the character Cloud, with reports stating he resembled Scarlett Johansson. Additionally, the technology demonstrated significant performance issues, with testers reporting up to a 50 percent drop in frame rates. While Nvidia previously defended the technology as offering "artistic control," the leaked build highlights ongoing community concerns regarding the quality and performance impact of the generative upscaling mode ahead of its anticipated fall 2026 release.