According to Bethesda‘s Todd Howard, Starfield runs at a consistent 30 frames per second (fps) on both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. In terms of resolution, the game runs in 4K on the Xbox Series X and 1440p on the Xbox Series S. The decision to lock the frame rate at 30fps was made to ensure consistency and maintain the desired fidelity and overall experience.
Howard emphasized that Starfield, like previous Bethesda games, aims to deliver huge, open worlds with dynamic environments and intricate details. The team wanted to prioritize maintaining the game’s visual quality and immersive gameplay, hence the decision to lock the frame rate.
While the game often runs above 30fps, especially on more powerful hardware, the consoles have a locked frame rate to provide a consistent experience. Howard expressed satisfaction with how the game feels, even during intense battles, and stressed the importance of preserving the special experience that Bethesda games are known for.
This confirmation regarding Starfield’s performance arrives three months prior to the game’s release on September 6. Microsoft faced criticism for previously showcasing Redfall running at 60fps before launch, only to announce shortly before release that it would be locked at 30fps on Xbox Series X and S, with a 60fps performance mode to be added later. Phil Spencer, Xbox boss, personally apologized for the discrepancy and promised to reevaluate their development processes following the negative response to Redfall.
It’s worth noting that Starfield and Redfall are separate games, and if Starfield indeed launches with a locked 30fps performance on console, it would mark the smoothest and most consistent launch for Bethesda Game Studios.
For more details on the Xbox showcase and Starfield Direct, you can refer to the respective rundowns. Additionally, you can check out the Summer of Gaming 2023 schedule for upcoming events and announcements.