Coming Starfield Update Arrives This May With 60hz Option For Xbox Series X & New Game Plus

After twenty years, Bethesda Game Studios rolled out a new IP and Starfield has made waves – especially on PC. At launch, the game was climbing charts on Steam and even made it into Platinum categories for the annual ‘Best of 2023’ list. Looking ahead, Bethesda promised a massive wave of support for the game is prepared to roll out with 2024 in mind for continued support.

As for the game as a whole, many were convinced for a short time that the title would be facing multiplatform support. In that, reports pointed towards PlayStation being the next platform to welcome the new space RPG. However, as per the Xbox Business Update in February this winter, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer pressed that is not the case for both Starfield & Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

Now this week, Bethesda Game Studios steps from the shadows to announce a new update is coming later in May featuring a slew of heavily-requested features to Starfield. That list includes 60hz support as well as New Game Plus. You can watch the new trailer in the video below:

“We’ve heard from many that you’d like to have more control over the graphic fidelity and performance on Xbox, similar to how PC players can customize their experience. We’re now enabling that on Xbox Series X with a few options that you can use to find the best fit for your playstyle and display.”

The blog post continues, “For each of these, we highly recommend a Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) Display running at 120hz, and to verify your Xbox is setup to use it. If you have it set up this way, Starfield will now default to a frame rate target of 40, while keeping the priority for full visuals. […] You can now choose between 30, 40, 60 or an Uncapped frame rate on VRR displays. If you do not have a VRR display running 120hz, you will still be able to select from 30 or 60. Screen tearing may occur at times when selecting 60 on a non-VRR display.”

Bethesda compares the new feature to how the PC version operates. You can now prioritize between Visuals and Performance while trying to maintain the frame rate target. If you’re choosing a frame rate target of 60 or above, we recommend changing this to Performance. Prioritizing Visuals keeps the highest resolution while maintaining full detail for special effects, lighting, and crowds.

“Prioritizing Performance lowers internal resolution and detail for special effects, lighting, and crowds. Both modes may adjust internal resolution dynamically when scenes or action get heavier as well.“ As mentioned prior, New Game Plus is also on the way enabling users to return to Starfield as well as forge a new path on the galactic frontier.

Replayability is huge in Bethesda Game Studios games, and in Starfield the universe opens up even more with New Game Plus. Now, after you enter the Unity, you’ll have the option to change both your appearance and your Traits. It’s another way for you to choose who you want to be in your new universe.

Other big take aways from this update also includes the addition of surface maps & city maps that better define the terrain you’re in. What’s more, gameplay options is also getting fleshed out with more in-depth choices for devoted players. And, a new ‘Extreme’ difficulty mode is coming for those looking for the next challenge. And, ship interior customization gets a big focus as well.

What has you most excited for Update 1.11.33?

Starfield is out now for Xbox Series X|S & PC.

Source: Bethesda