Bethesda’s recent clarification on the Fallout 4 next-gen update has shed light on how the game performs on the Xbox Series X, revealing a departure from the initially stated frame rate targets. While the official patch notes indicated a 30 frames per second target for Quality mode and 60 FPS for Performance mode, Bethesda’s update on Twitter revealed that both modes on the Xbox Series X actually target 60 FPS.
This revelation has put to rest the confusion among players who had reported discrepancies in the game’s performance modes on the Xbox Series X. Previously, some players were puzzled by the Quality mode’s ability to exceed the expected 30 FPS limit, as most console games offering multiple graphics modes typically adhere to different frame rate caps for each mode.
Bethesda’s decision to buck this trend and opt for 60 FPS in both modes on the Xbox Series X suggests a confidence in the console’s capabilities to handle the higher frame rate even in a game originally designed for the previous console generation. This confidence appears to be well-founded, as numerous Xbox Series X owners have reported a notably smoother experience with Fallout 4 following the update.
However, while the update has improved performance for Xbox Series X players, it has introduced new issues, particularly for PC gamers. Some Steam Deck users have expressed dissatisfaction with the game’s functionality on Valve’s handheld device, citing Bethesda’s removal of the game’s launcher without providing an alternative for accessing certain settings.
Moreover, the update has disrupted a range of PC mods, a common occurrence with game updates. Despite Bethesda’s assurances to minimize the impact on Fallout 4 mods, some fans have voiced frustration over the broken mods, highlighting the need for smoother integration of updates with the modding community in the future.