The hosts discuss Starfield's 30 FPS cap and its effect on gameplay. They explore ways to improve the visual experience through HDR adjustments and DLSS support. They also touch on the upgrades to the Creation Engine, the lighting system, and the impact of console exclusivity on Starfield. They share their overall thoughts on the game and mention upcoming releases.
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Quick takeaways
Starfield's 30 FPS cap on consoles is justified by the game's design and overall performance improvements compared to previous Bethesda games.
PC players can improve Starfield's visuals and HDR experience through third-party tools and TV settings adjustments.
DLSS mods have significantly enhanced Starfield's image quality by reducing visual noise and providing cleaner, smoother edges.
Deep dives
Performance and FPS Cap on Consoles
The podcast discusses the 30 frames per second (FPS) cap in place for Starfield on consoles. The hosts mention that the game's performance is consistent at 30 FPS, with few areas experiencing slight drops. They argue that given Bethesda's history with console game performance, achieving a stable frame rate at 30 FPS is a notable improvement. They also suggest that the game's design, including physics simulations and the number of physicalized objects, justifies the choice for a 30 FPS cap. The hosts discuss the possibility of different performance modes, such as a 40 FPS mode or a variable refresh rate (VRR) mode, which could improve the gameplay experience on consoles.
Improving HDR and Visuals on PC
The podcast explores the options for improving the HDR and visuals on PC. They mention the limitations of Starfield's HDR implementation and discuss using third-party tools like Special K to inject HDR into the game. They also discuss a mod that alters the game's color grading to make the visuals punchier. The hosts share their experiences playing the game on PC and the differences they have noticed in HDR and overall visual quality. They also provide options for Xbox players to adjust their TV settings to compensate for the HDR performance.
Bug-Free Experience and Repeating Content
The podcast addresses the bug-free experience in Starfield, noting that compared to previous Bethesda games, it appears relatively polished with limited bugs. Some minor issues encountered include NPCs getting stuck or floating, minor clipping through objects, and occasional door glitches. The hosts mention that such bugs are not significant and overall have not affected their gameplay experience. They also discuss the presence of repeating content, such as identical facilities on multiple planets, and express surprise at the lack of variation in these instances.
HDR Controls in Starfield
In the podcast, the lack of real HDR controls in Starfield is discussed. The speaker recommends adjusting the brightness setting or using the black fine tune option on LGO screens to improve the HDR experience. However, the fundamental issue is that Bethesda needs to implement proper HDR controls in the game.
DLSS Support in Starfield
The podcast dives into the discussion of DLSS support in Starfield. Initially, there was uncertainty about its availability, but modders quickly provided DLSS modifications for the game. The speaker praises the DLSS mods, highlighting the dramatic improvement in image quality, especially in areas with high-frequency details and sharp contrast edges. DLSS eliminates visual noise and provides clean, smooth edges, enhancing the overall visual experience of Starfield.
In a DF Direct Starfield special, Rich, John and Oliver share their impressions of the game, answer a ton of supporter questions and offer up some impressions on the PC version. And we also attempt to tackle the biggest question of them all: is a 60fps performance mode possible on Xbox Series X? To answer that, we use the actual Xbox Series X CPU via the AMD 4800S Desktop Kit, paired with a GPU that's a close match for the PS5's. From there, we unlocked frame-rate and examine the characteristics of Starfield and what options are open to the developer.
0:00:00 Introduction
0:01:00 Why is Starfield 30fps on consoles?
0:05:12 How would Starfield run unlocked? Frankenstein console tested!
0:12:37 Could Starfield hit 60fps on consoles?
0:22:01 Ways to increase contrast and improve HDR
0:28:38 Adding DLSS support through modding
0:38:09 Supporter Q1: What are your thoughts on the upgrades to the Creation Engine? What are some areas for improvement?
0:46:51 Supporter Q2: Is this Bethesda’s most bug-free game? What’s the weirdest bug you’ve seen so far?
0:54:21 Supporter Q3: Does the procedurally generated content fit in with the rest of the game?
1:01:50 Supporter Q4: What’s the difference between Bethesda’s real-time global illumination and ray-traced global illumination?
1:04:01 Supporter Q5: Does Starfield benefit from console exclusivity?