When Todd Howard talks the rest of the gaming world listens. So, when he spoke following the end of the Starfield Direct, the creative director of Bethesda had the ears of the entire gaming world.
Starfield, the upcoming sci-fi RPG that promises vast, dynamic worlds and hyper-detailed environments, is undeniably one of the most hyped games of its generation. Yet, there’s one detail about the game’s performance on the Xbox Series X/S consoles that has gamers holding their breath – it will run at a locked 30fps.
Diving into Howard’s rationale, he explains the decision to cap the framerate at 30fps was driven by the commitment to the game’s visual fidelity. The richness of the “Starfield” universe, from its fully dynamic open worlds to the minutiae of the environment, is central to the Bethesda gaming experience.
“It’s 4K in the X. It’s 1440 on the S. We do lock it at 30, because we want that fidelity, we want all that stuff. We don’t want to sacrifice any of it,” Howard told IGN. It’s a testament to Bethesda’s dedication to ensuring that gamers don’t just play their games, but rather live in them, that every pixel, every frame, is crafted with such meticulous care.
Critics may balk at the idea of a locked framerate, especially in an era where higher framerates have become synonymous with next-gen consoles. But Howard assures fans that the game performs remarkably well, even reaching 60fps at times, particularly for PC users with high-end equipment. However, on consoles, the decision to lock the framerate was taken to prioritize consistency, for a seamless gameplay experience where you’re not even thinking about framerate fluctuations.
This commitment to consistency rings true even under the intense heat of battle, a crucial aspect of any open-world RPG. Howard makes a point to note that a stable 30fps provides the necessary “headroom” for intense gameplay moments, ensuring the framerate remains consistent regardless of the chaos unfolding on screen.
Such a decision isn’t without precedence. Bethesda’s approach parallels recent moves by Gotham Knights and Redfall, that drew the ire of fans. But given Bethesda’s track record with expansive, open-world RPGs, a stable 30fps may come as a pleasant surprise for fans familiar with the sometimes tumultuous performance of new games at launch.
All these meticulous considerations become apparent when the Xbox Series X/S versions of Starfield are played. Howard, who spends most of his time playing the game on the less powerful Xbox Series S due to his kids monopolizing the Series X, attests to the game’s splendid performance.
While the decision to lock Starfield’s framerate at 30fps on Xbox Series X/S might seem like a compromise, it’s anything but. This decision is a deliberate, strategic choice by Bethesda to ensure that every minute you spend exploring the boundless cosmos in Starfield is nothing short of breathtaking.
Every decision, from the granular detail to the overarching universe, is designed to maximize immersion, regardless of the console. And when you’re standing on the precipice of a foreign planet, gazing at the cosmos in hyper-detailed 4K or 1440p resolution, you’ll appreciate the reason why Bethesda decided to lock Starfield at 30fps.
Ultimately, this is good news. For less than $1,000, you can get the new Starfield-themed controller and headset, a carbon black Xbox Series S, and a copy of Starfield Constellation Edition, to make sure that you’re decked out with all the space gear you need on September 6.
