In early November, modder xoxor4d returned with another update for the unofficial Grand Theft Auto IV RTX remaster. Update 1.7.3 includes a number of technical improvements and fixes.
The game is now rendered using the Remix API. Until recently, the modder explains, it was necessary to “intercept every draw call” and then rebuild the scene. Because there are so many of these calls in GTA IV, the mod was heavily CPU-dependent in dense areas. For this reason, the draw distance was limited.
This update allows increasing the draw distance and boosting performance—provided the PC has a “sufficiently powerful graphics processing unit.”
In addition, xoxor4d introduced overhauled water (it is now also rendered via the Remix API). A new “shoreline” system has appeared: water now smoothly fades where it becomes shallow or meets any objects. New puddle formation physics have also been added—now “water gathers where it usually gathers” (in dips at intersections, potholes, etc.). Puddles will expand as the rain continues. The atmosphere and fog systems have also been updated.
An official implementation of NVIDIA DLSS 5 has now been added (previously, a custom solution was used by modders who extracted the necessary files from NBA 2K26).
The full description of update 1.7.3 is available at the following link. The modder has not yet announced when he plans to unveil the next update.