Obsidian Entertainment, a creator behind great RPG games such Pillars of Eternity and The Outer Worlds, is gearing up to release its highly anticipated fantasy RPG, Avowed. With the official launch date set for February 18th 2025, Xbox and PC gamers are eagerly awaiting what promises to be one of the standout titles of 2024. However, a recent revelation from the developers has sparked considerable discussion in the gaming community: Avowed is targeting 30 frames per second (fps) on Xbox consoles.
In a recent conversation with the Iron Lords podcast, Obsidian’s art director, Matt Hansen, disclosed that the studio is focusing on achieving a “bare minimum” of 30fps for the game. For a first-person, single-player RPG, this decision might seem unusual to some, particularly in an era where 60fps is becoming the standard. Nevertheless, Obsidian’s choice is rooted in a clear vision for Avowed, prioritizing visual fidelity and immersive effects over higher frame rates.
Back then, in earlier 2024, they clearly said if Avowed can be played with a third-person camera, but later in the podcast none of this third-person pov mentioned. Whether they pulled back the third-person camera option or the game will run in full first-person like its predecessor, The Outer Worlds, still remained unclear.
Why 30fps? The Trade-Off Between Visuals and Performance
One of the most significant points Hansen emphasized during the interview was that Avowed is a visually dense game. The development team made the decision to target 30fps relatively early in the process to allow for more complex visual effects, better lighting, and richer environments.
According to Hansen, “it’s a first-person, single-player game, you don’t necessarily need that 60 frames.” This statement highlights a key consideration in game development: the type of gameplay can heavily influence performance targets. For Avowed, the slower-paced, narrative-driven experience allows for this trade-off, enabling Obsidian to deliver a visually stunning game that fully immerses players in its world.
And again, this is not the first time Xbox released their “exclusive” game locked at 30 fps on their console, like Redfall and Starfield. It needs to be trashed by the community to make them realise that the player wants rock-solid 60 fps performance over graphical fidelity.
Again and Over Again, Devs want Better Graphic, Players Demand Better Performance
Obsidian’s decision to target 30fps stems from a desire to create a more visually rich experience. Hansen mentioned that by locking the game to 30fps, the team has been able to “get a lot juicier with VFX and lighting and all this other stuff.” This means gamers can expect highly detailed environments, impressive lighting effects, and a level of visual depth that might not have been possible at 60fps.
In many modern RPGs, visual storytelling is just as important as the narrative itself. With Avowed, Obsidian is pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved on current-generation consoles, particularly the Xbox Series X. The decision to prioritize visual fidelity over frame rate ensures that every scene, from the sprawling landscapes to the intricate interiors, is crafted with a level of detail that pulls players deeper into the game’s fantasy world.
While the decision to target 30fps has been made, Hansen was clear that the team is still fine-tuning the game’s performance. “It’s one of the last things you do,” he noted, indicating that final optimization is ongoing. This is a common practice in game development, where frame rate and performance are often polished in the final stages.
For players concerned about performance, this means that the game could potentially offer a smoother experience as development progresses. However, it’s important to recognize that the trade-offs made by Obsidian are deliberate and are intended to enhance the game’s overall aesthetic and atmospheric impact.”
Well done, current Gen console user; 30 fps seems still on your diet.