Redfall 30 fps lock on Xbox Series consoles is a sign of rushed development
When Redfall is released next month, it will be lacking a Performance mode on Xbox and will only arrive with a Quality mode at launch.
The number of rakes both Xbox and developer Arkane Studios continue to step on with regards to Redfall continues to grow. After previously revealing that a PS5 version of the vampiric FPS was at once in development before publisher Betheseda was purchased by Microsoft, the Xbox Series X|S version that was supposedly being prioritized following the acquisition isn’t now even able to take advantage of current-gen console hardware.
Arkane took to Twitter earlier this week to reveal as such, explaining in its post that “Redfall is launching on Xbox consoles with Quality mode only.” It went on to further clarify that Xbox Series X players can look forward to full 4K resolution, while Xbox Series S players can still enjoy 1440p. The problem is, with whatever Xbox console you play on, Quality mode caps Redfall at 30 fps – half the expected 60 fps, available on PC and has quickly become the industry standard (especially for the first-person shooter genre).
Fortunately, Arkane’s tweet made clear that the Redfall 30 fps lock isn't the be-all-end-all for the game, a performance upgrade just won’t be coming any time soon. “60 FPS Performance mode will be added via game update at a later date,” the post read without giving any specific timeframe, launch window or accompanying blog where future plans for the Performance mode are outlined further. For the first dedicated first-party Xbox Series X|S exclusive out of the gate, it’s simply not a great look.
In the days since it was posted, Arkane’s tweet has garnered a lot of attention – much of it negative. “Wait why wouldn’t you just release the game when the 60 fps performance is available?” Twitter user @Mightykeef said. @Jorbypls also chimed in saying “2023 and 60 fps is not standard out of the box still. how is this an acceptable standard still.” These tweets are representative of the general sentiment online regarding the Redfall 30 fps cap, that it isn’t good enough for what should be an exciting first-party Xbox exclusive intended to take advantage of the hardware.
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Bite back
People’s frustration towards Redfall not launching with a dedicated Performance mode is entirely understandable in my view. The Xbox Series X has been forever touted by Microsoft as “the world’s most powerful console”. But how can that be the case if a game intended to be a console exclusive can’t even hit the same performance levels as other third-party releases like Call of Duty and Assassin’s Creed? Xbox itself should be setting the example, instead of the other way around.
It stings, even more, considering that Redfall has already been delayed, in theory giving Arkane time to address this fps issue. Originally slated to release in the summer of 2022, the concrete release date of May 2, 2023, was locked in and announced back during January’s Xbox and Bethesda Games Developer Direct. To me, it’s clear that Xbox has attempted to fast-track this game to release in order to compete with PlayStation’s plethora of exclusives, and the result is a AAA Xbox game that isn’t ready.
PS5 owners have been treated to the likes of Returnal, the Demon’s Souls remake, and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, three games designed specifically for PlayStation’s current-gen console and so can take advantage of the hardware. It’s also worth mentioning that all three of those games can run at 60 fps if desired and did so at launch. For whatever reason, that’s not the reason for Redfall, leaving a first-party Xbox exclusive stumbling out of the gate yet again instead of being a cause for celebration.
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