The Xbox Series X may have games that run below 60 frames per second, it has been revealed. At the Xbox Series X gameplay reveal event, gamers did enjoy great-looking gameplay of titles like Chorus, but it seems that not every game will run that smoothly.
Speaking to Eurogamer, Jason Ronald, who is leading development on the Xbox Series X was asked if the console's power "ends sub 60 frames per second games" made by Xbox developers or third-party teams. Ronald gave a decidedly strategic answer, saying that the Xbox team sees things like framerate as "a creative decision" that developers can choose. "Sometimes, from a pure gameplay aspect, 30 is the right creative decision they can make," said the developer.
Ronald also spoke about competitive games and games being made for esports where "60 frames is not the ceiling anymore." Developers of these kinds of games have shown that they like to go above 60 FPS and the Xbox Series X allows them to choose to do that. One confirmed Xbox Series X game with a competitive side is Madden NFL 21 but it's unclear how many frames per second that will have on the console.
Another competitive title confirmed for Xbox Series X at today's gameplay reveal is racing game Dirt 5. The game will run in 60FPS at 4K on Xbox Series X though when it releases on the console in 2021, players will also have an option to turn it up to 120FPS. The Dirt 5 gameplay reveal trailer was running in 60FPS in 4K though so fans may have to wait until they get to see the game being played with its maximum framerate.
It seems unlikely that any big games on the console will dip below 60FPS, although Ronald has confirmed that it's possible. In order to get the quasi-coveted Xbox Series X Optimized badge, which denotes games with Smart Delivery, fast in-game load times and up to 120FPS, developers will likely have to create some seriously good graphics.
There will also be games for which having a higher frame rate just doesn't matter. Games like Roots of Pacha, the Animal Crossing-style title confirmed for next-gen consoles, has a pixelated art style and it's difficult to see how a sub-60FPS would put players of that game at a disadvantage. This shows why setting a frame rate is at developer discretion, though gamers may not see many Xbox Series X games under 60FPS.
Source: Eurogamer