Despite the impressive showcase of Starfield at the Summer Game Fest, there has been some concern among fans regarding Bethesda's decision to restrict the game to 30 FPS. In response, Todd Howard has reassured fans that this choice will ultimately enhance the game's launch. Starfield represents the culmination of all the Bethesda sandbox games released since Oblivion, incorporating elements of gameplay, progression, customization, and visual fidelity. The planets in Starfield will combine procedural generation with handcrafted elements, aiming to deliver a vast and uniquely immersive experience. However, Xbox players will need to accept the 30 FPS limitation in order to explore the wonders of space in Starfield. While many modern console releases offer a performance mode, disappointment arose when it was revealed that Starfield would not follow this trend. Despite God of War developer Dannie Carlone defending Starfield's 30 FPS lock, some members of the community perceive it as a flaw in an otherwise exceptional sales pitch that Starfield presented during its deep dive.
In a recent interview with Kinda Funny Games, Todd Howard shared new insights into Starfield, including details about accessibility options, in-game radio stations, and the various methods of traversing the planets within the game. Additionally, Howard clarified Bethesda's stance on the 30 FPS lock for Xbox Series X/S, emphasizing that the development team never considered compromising features to accommodate a performance mode. The priority for Starfield is to deliver a consistent experience that excels in visuals, leading Bethesda to prioritize stability over performance.
Furthermore, Todd Howard mentioned that there are techniques to enhance the feel of playing at 30 FPS, such as incorporating motion blur, increasing the game's refresh rate, or optimizing controller input response. While there is a noticeable difference between 30 FPS and 60 FPS, some argue that sacrificing frame rate in favor of a stable and visually complete experience in Starfield is a worthwhile trade-off. PC players, on the other hand, will require an SSD to play Starfield but are not restricted by any frame rate limitations like their console counterparts.
Starfield, the highly anticipated single-player title from Bethesda Game Studios, will be available on Xbox Game Pass from its launch day. This means that fans on both Xbox and PC platforms can experience the game without any additional cost, as long as they have a subscription to Game Pass. While some argue that Microsoft and Bethesda could have made more money by not including Starfield in Game Pass, this decision reflects the strong belief and confidence they have in the project. Now, all that remains for Todd Howard and his team is to ensure a successful and satisfying release. Mark your calendars, as Starfield is set to release on September 6 for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
