Ray tracing is primarily used in 3D computer graphics and has become more well-known by computer gamers since Nvidia’s RTX graphics card generation was introduced in 2018. With ray tracing that is activated or supported by hardware, it is now possible to create even more effective and realistic light effects in video games. The graphic effects not only include light effects visible in the field of vision (so-called screenspace effects), but also reflections, light, and shadow outside the field of vision – including a global, virtual sun. Since this requires enormous computing power, even for hardware with ray tracing, this feature has only been used in a few games so far.
Ray tracing as a graphics technology is still only in its infancy. Currently, the Nvidia’s RTX 3000 series (the 2nd generation of Nvidia RTX graphics cards) represent the next step in ray tracing as they offer even more ray tracing arithmetic units. Due to the different equipment of PCs and the enormous performance requirements, the technology, which is revolutionary in its approach, remains a niche graphics technology for the time being. The newer console generations, such as the Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5, are making the first steps towards supporting global ray tracing through the implementation of hardware which supports the technology.