Avowed May Lack a Major Feature on Xbox Consoles

by

Avowed May Lack a Major Feature on Xbox Consoles

Key Takeaways

  • Avowed may launch on Xbox Series X/S consoles without a 60fps mode.
  • Developer Obsidian Entertainment is currently targeting 30fps for Avowed, but this could change at the tail end of the game’s production.
  • Obsidian says focusing on 30fps has allowed for better VFX and visual density in Avowed.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I’ve seen the evolution of graphics and performance in video games like it was the rise of civilizations. From the pixelated glory of 2D games to the stunning visuals of modern AAA titles, I’ve witnessed it all. But one thing that has always been a constant joy is a smooth 60fps gameplay experience.

In a recent chat, creators at Obsidian Entertainment have subtly suggested that the upcoming game Avowed might not feature a 60fps mode when played on Xbox Series X/S. Known for their impressive work on RPGs like Pillars of Eternity and The Outer Worlds, Avowed aims to deliver an immersive experience with intricate visuals and gameplay, but this ambition could mean sacrificing a consistently smooth 60fps frame rate.

First unveiled in 2020, “Avowed” is an upcoming fantasy action RPG that shares its universe with the “Pillars of Eternity” series by Obsidian Entertainment. During Xbox’s Developer_Direct event in January 2024, it was confirmed that “Avowed” would be released towards the end of 2024. However, due to a busy holiday season filled with major releases like “Call of Duty Black Ops 6” and “Assassin’s Creed Shadows”, the launch date for “Avowed” has been moved to early 2025. This delay will provide “Avowed” with some space when it is released, as well as additional time for Obsidian Entertainment to perfect the game before its release.

Even though extra time to perfect certain aspects would be beneficial, it appears that “Avowed” may still release without a key feature on Xbox consoles. In a conversation with the Iron Lords Podcast, “Avowed” art director Matt Hansen and production director Ryan Warden were questioned about the game’s console frame rate targets around the 29-minute mark. Hansen revealed that performance is one of the last things the developers will work on, and they are currently aiming for a minimum of 30 frames per second (fps) for “Avowed”, as this is what players typically expect. This news might be underwhelming, considering the recent announcement by “STALKER 2” that it would offer a 60fps mode on Xbox Series X.

Current-Gen Xbox First-Party Games That Launched Without 60FPS Modes

  • Microsoft Flight Simulator (2021): Framerate can be unlocked only for VRR displays
  • Redfall (2023): 60fps performance mode added in a later update
  • Starfield (2023): 60fps performance mode added in a later update
  • Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 (2024)

Hansen also mentioned that “players may not strictly require” a 60fps performance for a single-player first-person game like Avowed, and he explained that setting the RPG with a 30fps objective has enabled Obsidian to intensify the visual effects, lighting, and overall visual detail. This trade-off is one that the studio appears content with. It’s important to note that Avowed is developed using Unreal Engine 5, which is well-known for its demanding requirements on current-generation consoles. Similarly, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 also limited itself to a 30fps cap due to its use of Unreal Engine 5, although the Ninja Theory game placed significantly more emphasis on visuals compared to Avowed.

Regardless, it’s possible that “Avowed” may not include a 60fps mode at launch, making it the fifth major Xbox first-party game this generation to do so. Given Microsoft’s emphasis on the capabilities of the Xbox Series X/S hardware when it was introduced in 2020, this could be seen as less than ideal. However, there’s still a chance that “Avowed” could receive a 60fps performance mode via an update, similar to how “Starfield” did with version 1.11.36, if enough players request it.

Read More

2024-08-23 12:43