Starfield's Frame Rate Lock on Consoles
Starfield, the highly anticipated RPG from Bethesda, will not reach 60fps on consoles. Bethesda and Blizzard have responded to the concerns, explaining that the decision aligns with Bethesda's track record on consoles.
While the news may disappoint some fans, it is encouraging to see Bethesda address the concerns in a thoughtful and transparent manner.
Bethesda's Console Performance
Bethesda's history with console releases makes the 30fps lock on Starfield predictable. Despite this, players who expected the newest Bethesda RPG to fully utilize next-generation console capabilities express their concerns. To address these concerns, Bethesda responded to a tweet in a lighthearted Twitter thread.
When asked, "Why is Starfield locked at 30fps on consoles?" Bethesda Game Studios replied, "We at Bethesda Game Studios are finally committed to delivering a console game that isn't an unmitigated disaster," adding, "and we figured that 30fps was a good place to start." This humorous response carries a kernel of truth.
Bethesda has faced ongoing struggles with stability on consoles, as evidenced by Fallout 3 and Skyrim's notorious performance issues on the PS3. Fallout 4 also experienced inconsistencies upon release. However, Starfield represents a significant leap forward for Bethesda, reflecting a studio that learns from its mistakes and strives to deliver the best possible product.
The Reasoning Behind the 30fps Lock
Starfield's director, Todd Howard, explains that while the game occasionally reached frame rates of 60fps during testing, it was inconsistent, occurring only once every ten minutes. By capping the frame rate at 30fps, the game remains consistently smooth. Additionally, Starfield boasts the fewest bugs of any Bethesda game at launch, thanks to the studio's open discussion about the challenges they are addressing and avoiding.
This decision to be transparent about the game's limitations ahead of time is more appealing than discovering issues post-launch. It also demonstrates a respectful understanding of the hardware capabilities of consoles, which are significantly more powerful than Starfield's predecessors, the PS4 and Xbox One.
Games like Skyrim and The Elder Scrolls Online thrive at 30 frames per second, so if Starfield stays true to its 30fps promise, there should be no cause for complaints. However, PC players will still have the option for higher frame rates, for now.
A Commitment to Launch Quality
Bethesda's decision to cap Starfield at 30fps is a step towards transparency and delivering a more polished and stable game at launch. It is important to acknowledge the struggles the series has faced on consoles while appreciating Bethesda's honesty. The immense scale and complexity required to create an RPG like Starfield should not be taken for granted.
If Starfield lives up to its promise of 30fps, there will be no room for complaints. Bethesda's gracious and humorous response on Twitter reflects their commitment to transparency and integrity.
For more information on Starfield, check out the latest Starfield update and the rumored multiplayer mode. Alternatively, if you're excited for Starfield, explore some of the best RPG games on PC.
