Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Almost a year beforeStarfield‘s release, Todd Howard talked about the decision to sacrifice certain graphical aspects in a game, including a 60 FPS experience, for player agency. And a year later,Starfieldlaunched with a 30 FPS cap on Xbox consoles. It has been eight months since the game’s release, and while the game enjoyed all the hype around its release, this decision came under scrutiny.
Ever since the game was announced at the Xbox Showcase, there were constant discussions about Bethesda’s decision to cap the game at 30 FPS. The creative choice made by the developers sparked a lot of controversial debates.
Todd Howard Talked About a Key Idea in Bethesda’s Game Development
In an interview withLex Fridman, Todd Howard emphasized the importance of player agency and experience over graphic fidelity and speed. Despite the industry trend leaning towards 60 frames per second (FPS) for smoother gameplay, Howard defended Bethesda’s decision to stick with 30 fps for certain titles. One of which ended up beingStarfield.
We let the players have as much agency and do as many things as they can as possible. We will sacrifice some graphic fidelity for that, some speed for that. Traditionally, we’re okay with 30 frames a second as long as it looks really good and the simulation is running and all
Howard’s comments shed light on Bethesda’s development philosophy, which seems to prioritize the player’s ability to interact with and influence the game world over technical performance metrics. This approach aligns with Bethesda’s reputation for creating expansive, open-world RPGs that offer players a high degree of freedom and choice.
Starfield’s Shattered Space Expansion Could Rival Hidetaka Miyazaki’s Shadow of the Erdtree for Elden Ring – Is 2024’s Game of the Year Going to be Won by DLC?
The confidence Microsoft showed in the bankability ofStarfieldwas enough to predict the scale of the release. The sci-fi exploration title had to be a real ‘masterpiece’ to let the fans move beyond the 30 fps debate. Although it didn’t quite deliver in the way that the devs might have hoped, it is a big learning point for their decisions in the future.
Starfield’s Mediocre Reception and Release
One of the main criticisms leveled againstStarfieldhas been its perceived lack of a strong creative vision and engaging narrative. Some players felt that the game failed to innovate on Bethesda’s established formula, leading to a mixed reception on platforms like Steam and the Xbox Games store.
Todd Howard recently addressed these criticisms in an interview withKinda Funny Games. He acknowledged the polarized reception ofStarfieldand assured fans that the developers were listening closely to their feedback. Howard sympathized with players who had high expectations for the game’s exploration elements, but he emphasized that the studio’s vision for a sci-fi RPG necessitated certain trade-offs.
Starfield Failed to Live Up to Expectations, but Can It Pull off the Same Redemption Arc that Fan-Favourite No Man’s Sky Has?
With advancements in technology pushing the boundaries of what is possible in game design, Howard’s comments serve as a reminder that, ultimately, the goal of game development is to create memorable and engaging experiences for players.
Daniel Royte
Gaming Writer
Articles Published :1370
As part of the FandomWire team, Daniel has followed the hero-shooter genre closely with a focus on titles like VALORANT, Apex Legends, and Marvel Rivals. You can also find him providing insight on the latest AAA titles from Elden Ring to GTA 6 and exploring the world of gacha games like Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves. With more than 1,000 articles under his belt, you’ll need to look no further for a unique insight into every situation.If he’s not looking for the latest video game news, you’ll find him cheering on Ferrari in the race tracks of Formula 1 or at the theatres for the latest MCU releases.
More from Daniel Royte
NYT Pips Solution for June 30, 2025
Helldivers 2 Major Order Update: Arrowhead’s Last-Minute Assist Helps Complete Impossible Charger Challenge
All LinkedIn Games Solutions for Today (July 17, 2025)
Recommended
Brandon Sanderson’s ‘Isles of the Emberdark’ Ending Explained
Aubrey Plaza Says This Miles Teller Horror Movie Defined Her Grief After Husband’s Death
Tobey Maguire And Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man Era Dies In 2027: Reports
George Lucas vs. Steven Spielberg: The Ultimate Showdown of Hollywood’s Richest Directors
Good Boy Filmmaker Reacts To Keanu Reeves’ Film While His Trailer Triggers Odd Query
Harry Potter TV Series on HBO: Who Are the New Weasleys? Details Inside
BethesdaStarfieldTodd Howard
