With the PS5 and Xbox Series X around the corner, what can gamers expect in terms of graphics? According to a The Last of Us and Assassin's Creed animator, quite a lot. Highlighting some recent developments in Unreal Engine 4, ray tracing may take a backseat when it comes to the amazing real time hair physics that the graphics engine is boasting.Earlier this week, animator Jonathan Cooper highlighted some of the amazing new advances being made to graphics engines coming to next gen consoles. While 'raytracing' has been the hot term for upcoming graphic developments, Cooper instead points to the amazing hair physics. Even better, a quick gif is attached to demonstrate how lifelike these graphics look:

If it weren't for the plastic-looking face and the black background, you would be hard-pressed to tell this wasn't a real woman spinning around.

For those in the animation and visual effects scene, this information may not be entirely new -- Epic had released the update that included the advances to the enhanced hair effects in late December 2019. However, as Cooper noted, we will start seeing these enhanced graphics play out in next-gen, putting to rest concerns that we are hitting a graphical or realism barrier. With PS5 and Xbox Series X premieres coming soon, hopefully we will begin seeing this tech in action.

Aside from updates to graphics, both Microsoft and Sony are building up their corners for their eventual reveal. On one hand, PS5 developers like Bluepoint Games are boasting that their upcoming next gen projects will be the largest in their history setting graphical standards. Meanwhile, the Xbox Series X team is making smart plays in hiring veteran staff, bids too side step PR blunders that dogged them throughout this generation. With PS5 and Xbox Series X games slowly being revealed by other studios, it should be no time until gamers know more substantial details like price and launch titles.

The PS5 and Xbox Series X are set to release around Holiday 2020, we will keep you in the loop of all new developments on the upcoming game and console.