Exclusive: Todd Howard Reveals Starfield's Impressive Frame Rate on Xbox Series X/S

Bethesda's highly anticipated game, Starfield, will have a locked frame rate of 30 FPS on Xbox Series X/S, according to Todd Howard. This decision has been met with some disappointment from gamers, especially considering the recent backlash surrounding Redfall's initial 30 FPS limitation. Many had high expectations for the Xbox Series X/S, hoping for features commonly associated with PC gaming such as 4K resolution and 60 FPS. For some players, the difference between 30 and 60 FPS is significant and can greatly impact their overall gaming experience.

Part of the reason why Starfield's frame rate on Xbox Series X/S will be locked to 30 FPS, as confirmed by Todd Howard in an interview with IGN just before the Xbox Games Showcase 2023, is due to the nature of Bethesda's game design philosophy. Their games typically feature dynamic, highly detailed open worlds that require significant memory and processing power. To ensure consistent quality and avoid sacrificing performance, the company decided to limit the frame rate. However, Howard adds that on PC, Starfield often runs above 30 FPS and even reaches 60 at times.

Starfield will run at 4K on the Xbox Series X and 1440p on the Series S, as expected. Howard seems satisfied with the game's performance, stating that it "feels great" even during intense battles with multiple elements in play. Fortunately, the team has been transparent about the frame rate lock, avoiding potential controversy like that surrounding Redfall's launch, where consumers were not warned ahead of time about the 30 FPS limitation despite gameplay footage suggesting otherwise.

The recent Starfield Direct showcase and Xbox Games Showcase have received a largely positive reception from gamers, despite some disappointment over the frame rate reveal. Fans eagerly anticipating Bethesda's upcoming space RPG were treated to more gameplay footage, including ship customization, combat, and space battles. Additionally, the limited edition controller, headset, and collector's edition of the game were officially revealed during the event. With its release date set for September 6 on PC and Xbox Series X/S, excitement among the gaming community is at an all-time high.

Source: IGN