Recently, Obsidian Entertainment announced that their upcoming action-RPG, Avowed, will be delayed and is now scheduled to release on February 18, 2025, for PC and current-gen Xbox consoles. One of the key details that the developer confirmed is that the game will run at 30fps on both Xbox Series X and Series S. This decision has raised some concerns among gamers who are used to higher frame rates on next-gen consoles.
According to the game’s art director, Matt Hansen, the decision to target a baseline of 30fps on Xbox consoles was made in order to prioritize graphical fidelity and lighting. Hansen mentioned in an interview that the studio believed players did not necessarily need 60fps performance in a first-person single-player game like Avowed. He defended the choice by stating that the lower frame rate allowed them to create a visually dense world without compromising smooth gameplay.
Avowed is not the first Xbox first-party title to launch with a locked 30fps performance on consoles. Games like Bethesda’s Starfield and Arkane Austin’s Redfall also initially released with the same frame rate. However, both games received patches later on that increased the performance to 60fps on consoles. This raises the question of whether Obsidian will follow suit and release an update to improve the frame rate in the future.
Another interesting detail that surfaced about Avowed at Gamescom is the inclusion of multiple possible endings in the game. Game director Carrie Patel confirmed that players can expect ending slides numbering in the double digits, allowing for various combinations based on the player’s choices throughout the game. This aligns with Obsidian’s reputation for creating narrative-driven experiences where player decisions have significant consequences.
Originally planned for a late 2024 release, the delay of Avowed to February 2025 gives the game some breathing room among a crowded release calendar. This extra time could potentially allow Obsidian to further polish the game and address any performance issues or bugs before launch. The delay also presents an opportunity for the developer to fine-tune the game’s mechanics and narrative to deliver a more polished experience to players.
While the decision to lock Avowed’s performance at 30fps on Xbox Series X and Series S may disappoint some players expecting higher frame rates on next-gen consoles, it is apparent that Obsidian has made a conscious choice to prioritize visual fidelity in their upcoming RPG. The inclusion of multiple possible endings also adds depth to the game’s narrative, promising a rich and replayable experience for players. With the release date pushed back to February 2025, fans will have to wait a bit longer to embark on their journey in the world of Avowed, but the delay could ultimately result in a more refined and immersive gaming experience.
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