Nintendo’s next console, dubbed the Switch 2 by fans, will feature some changes to potentially improve its battery life if new rumors are to be believed.
The latest details regarding how the Mario company might tackle its next console generation comes from a conversation between YouTube channel Moore’s Law Is Dead and content creator The Phawx on the Broken Silicon podcast. When explaining that they anticipate Xbox Series S-level ray-tracing functionality on the new tech, Moore’s Law Is Dead teased that they’ve heard that the Switch 2 will be “clocked faster than we expect” in docked mode but “undocked it’s going to be clocked crazy low.”
They add that the goal with this strategy is to give players longer battery life when playing on the go, one complaint more than a few Nintendo fans had with the original Switch. The Phawx expands on this potential strategy further, guessing that Nintendo is interested in both extended battery life as well as a low RPM fan.
Though Nintendo has its fair share of adult followers, the Switch has proven to be extremely popular among younger audiences, and we’ll likely see the same trend with the Switch 2. It’s because of this that Nintendo might be creating a device that doesn’t overheat too easily when kids leave the console lying around.
What this means for gaming fans is that, like the original Switch, games will look and run better when running in docked mode. Undocked, things might not be quite as impressive, but you’ll at least be able to enjoy Nintendo’s experiences for a longer amount of time.
Details on the power of the Switch 2 aren’t the first rumors to spread about Nintendo’s new console. Other allegedly leaked details have suggested that the device will feature magnetic versions of the Joy-Cons and maybe even allow players to use their old controllers, too. If these recent rumors are to be believed, you’ll also be able to enjoy your physical and digital games on the Switch 2.
Keep in mind that it’s best to keep expectations at a minimum until Nintendo is ready to reveal official information on its next console. For more on what may eventually become the Switch 2, you can read everything else we know about the company’s next console.
Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.
Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.
Starfield’s biggest update since the Bethesda space game came out last year (remember that?) is arriving in a couple of weeks – with its Steam beta already live now, if you’re interested in poking around. The chunky patch finally tidies up the game’s oft-complained about surface maps to make them easier to navigate, as well as introducing new difficulty options, a decoration mode for the inside of ships and a bunch of other tweaks and fixes.
Hasbro has already invested over $1 billion in its internal studios as part of an ambitious long-term strategy, according to Wizards of the Coast head of game studios and publishing Dan Ayoub.
“Video games are an integral part of Hasbro’s strategy going into the next 100 years and we have to make sure that everything that comes out is top quality, is authentic, and is something we can build upon,” explained Ayoub in an interview with gamesindustry.biz at the Game Developer’s Conference in March. “Because we’re talking about a couple studios and a couple games right now, but we have much larger ambitions for that.”
Hasbro’s IP licensing strategy has been extremely profitable for the toy-maker in recent years, with Larian Studio’s runaway hit Baldur’s Gate 3 netting the company an impressive $90 million on its own following its 2023 release. Despite this success, the multi-national conglomerate has invested huge amounts of money to establish a clutch of internal game development studios with which to handle its many IPs, and create entirely new ones.
“The biggest thing to takeaway, which is honestly a little surprise to a lot of people, is that Hasbro is in fact making video games,” explained Ayoub. “And we have a considerable investment in our studio structure, we’ve got over $1 billion in games right now being developed.”
According to the industry veteran, Hasbro’s $1 billion investment in its four existing AAA studios is part of a “very, very deliberate plan”, which would incorporate facets of the company beyond game development.
One of the great things we took from the success of Baldur’s Gate 3 is that people really, really like a great, well-executed D&D game
“What we’re trying to do there is have the tail wag the dog a little bit and have things going the other direction for the company, which would be something new, where we can create a new IP through video games and then take advantage of the size and scale of Hasbro to do other things with it as well,” said Ayoub.
He also made a point of highlighting Hasbro’s emphasis on quality and authenticity when it comes to its game development approach, while lauding the example set by Larian Studios’ hit RPG Baldur’s Gate 3.
“One of the great things we took from the success of Baldur’s Gate 3 is that people really, really like a great, well-executed D&D game, so we’ve got something like that,” said Ayoub. “And with Snake Eyes, while it’s not a new IP, it’s hopefully going to be a shot in the arm to the G.I. Joe franchise and we can do some new things and express it in different ways in video games than we have traditionally.”
In the recent G.I.Biz interview, Ayoub highlighted Hasbro’s deep well of IPs, which “goes much, much larger than anything we’re talking about right now”, and ensured that games developed by internal studios wouldn’t be rushed, and that “everything is going to stay in the oven as long as it needs to”.
In December last year Hasbro announced a mass layoff that affected over 1,000 staff, accounting for around 20 percent of its total workforce, while citing the need to “modernize” the company, and make it “leaner” in order to position it for future growth. The redundancies came as Hasbro sought to save $300 million annually up to the year 2025, as it pivots to focus on “fewer, bigger brands”.
Anthony is a freelance contributor covering science and video gaming news for IGN. He has over eight years experience of covering breaking developments in multiple scientific fields and absolutely no time for your shenanigans. Follow him on Twitter @BeardConGamer
Your feelings on Funko Pop probably fall into one of two categories: you either hate the black-eyed, copy-paste figures modelled on pop-culture characters with a burning passion, or you own enough of them to construct a small fortress and defend your newfounded Funko nation from the government. Either way, it looks like the first video game starring the ubiquitous toy collectables might somehow scratch your itch.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we’ll be running several features focused on how video games of all types have helped us through periods when we were struggling with our mental health.
Today, Richard shares how racing games helped restore him during a difficult period…
Xbox Empowers Asian and Pacific Islander Communities with GameTan and NEEL
Team Xbox
Summary
Learn how Xbox is partnering with GameTan and NEEL.
Explore games curated by the Asian and Pacific Islander communities.
Discover how the Ramayana inspired the Xbox logo redesign.
The Asian and Pacific Islander communities have long been a vibrant and integral part of the global gaming ecosystem. Building upon the foundations laid in the early days of video game development, Xbox is proud to innovate in gaming spaces and champion beloved game titles thanks to the incredible work of developers and artists who identify as part of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities. The rich storytelling traditions, innovative technology, and unique artistic perspectives from these regions continue to enrich the gaming world, offering players a wide array of experiences that challenge, entertain, and inspire.
Developers often draw upon their lived experiences to help inform elements of their games. This is also true for many developers within the Asian and Pacific community, who will sometimes feature traditional folklore, art, and philosophy in games. This not only introduces gamers to new narratives and aesthetics but also promotes a greater understanding and appreciation of these cultures. Moreover, the rise of competitive gaming, or esports, has seen players from these communities rise to the top, showcasing their skills on the world stage and inspiring a new generation of gamers. We are also partnering with two nonprofits who live these values. They share our goal of sharing the joy of play and community across the globe and providing opportunities to students and those interested in the industry to learn and gain experience in the world of esports, technology, and game design.
The contributions of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities are not just limited to content creation. The community is also full of avid gamers, forming a significant portion of the player base and actively participating in online communities. Their feedback and engagement are crucial in shaping the development of games, ensuring they remain relevant and enjoyable for a global audience. Xbox is committed to supporting and celebrating the diversity within our community, recognizing that it is the blend of different cultures and ideas that drives innovation and makes the gaming world so dynamic and exciting. After all, games allow players to feel seen, and can also be a tool for empathy and provide insights into underrepresented communities’ experiences. Here’s how we are supporting Asian and Pacific Islander communities this year:
GIVE
Xbox is Partnering with GameTan and Nevada Esports Education League
This year, Xbox is excited to announce our collaboration with two exceptional nonprofit organizations dedicated to enriching their communities through the power of gaming and esports education. These partnerships are a testament to our commitment to increasing representation and building empathy through the power of play. By working closely with these nonprofits, we aim to create inclusive spaces where the thrill of competition and the spirit of teamwork can thrive through the lens of Asian and Pacific Islander communities.
These nonprofits embody our core mission: to spread the joy of gaming far and wide, and to build strong, supportive networks of gamers within the Asian and Pacific Islander communities. This work is pivotal in unlocking new possibilities, as they expand gaming from mere entertainment into a pathway for educational and professional opportunities. Through these partnerships, we are opening doors to new experiences, empowering individuals with the skills and confidence to explore the dynamic world of esports and gaming, and fostering a community that celebrates underrepresented communities and inclusion. Read more about each organization below:
GameTan (Within HauTutū) – Based in New Zealand, and working within the nonprofit HauTutu, GameTan provides kids the opportunity to learn and step into the world of gaming, esports, and technology. Through various events, and projects, they allow students to step into leadership roles and gain experience at a young age. They also host game clubs where they provide a space for the community to come together through food and video games. These game clubs also allow GameTan to help homeless children get a meal, build community, and also learn about opportunities within the gaming, esports, and tech industries. This year, Xbox will be providing a donation to support GameTan in furthering their mission and programs.
GameTan’s mission has 4 main pillars:
“In order for our kids to change the future, we as teachers must change our approach.”
Me aro ngā kaiako i ngā wawata o ngā tauira, kia mārama ngā tauira i te anamata
Game-Led Learning: Where Fun Meets Future Skills
Ako Ātea : Te tūtakitanga a tākaro me pūkenga ki te anamata
Whānau-Centered Innovation: Tech for All
Te auahatanga o te whānau: Mō te ao katoa te hangarau.
Creating Career Pathways: From Local Talent to Global Leaders
Whaohia te ara ki tua o paerangi: Ngā rangatira o te kainga, Ngā rangatira o te ao
GameTan, where culture meets technology, and innovation knows no bounds. Together, we’re not just playing games; we’re changing the game.
Nevada Esports Education League (NEEL) – The Nevada Esports Education League (NEEL), Nevada’s sole nonprofit dedicated to Esports, pioneers programs for youth focusing on career development, STEM outreach, and community engagement. From organizing charity Twitch streams to volunteering at Esports conventions, and hosting community tournaments and boot camps, NEEL actively engages youth and cultivates inclusive communities, particularly among Asian American Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AAPINHPI) groups. This year Xbox will be providing a donation that NEEL will leverage to prioritize mental health awareness initiatives tailored for AAPINHPI gamers, champion diversity and inclusion in esports, and celebrate cultural heritage through gaming events. Collaborating with Xbox, NEEL is committed to empowering AAPINHPI youth and fostering positive change within the esports industry, highlighting gaming’s potential as a platform for social impact and community involvement.
Gaming and Impact with Microsoft Rewards
Rewards members in the United States can earn and donate points to organizations supporting Asian and Pacific Islander communities with Xbox. The organizations below will be available on the Rewards hub:
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC – AAJC works through strategic policy advocacy, active community education, and impactful litigation to advance the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all.
AAPI Equity Alliance– AAPI Equity Alliance (AAPI Equity) is dedicated to improving the lives of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through civic engagement, capacity building, and policy advocacy.
Stop AAPI Hate– Stop AAPI Hate advances equity & justice by dismantling systemic racism & building a multiracial movement to end anti-Asian American & Pacific Islander hate through community empowerment, solidarity & advocacy for comprehensive solutions.
Xbox players can earn Rewards points in various ways, such as playing games, completing Game Pass Quests, and purchasing games and other eligible items at the Microsoft Store (exclusions apply). Start earning today and redeem your points for great rewards. Donate your points on the Rewards hub or on the Microsoft Rewards redeem page.
PLAY
Explore Games Curated by Asian and Pacific Islander Communities at Microsoft
Pacific Islander Heritage month featuring water, fire, and two characters from the Ramayana, Sukhrip and Madchanu on a stage with embroidered curtains.
Gaming would not be what it is today without the contributions, perspectives, and influence from Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Here at Xbox, we want to honor this richly diverse set of communities by providing engaging gaming experiences that represent a myriad of histories and heritage.
During May and beyond, check out a variety of game collections that reflect the vast diversity of East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. These collections showcase creators, lead characters, and games inspired by these cultures. Available on the Microsoft Stores on Xbox and Windows, check out the collections of East, South, and Southeast Asian Community Games and Pacific Islander and Indigenous Community Games. These collections will exist year-round as part of our ongoing work to create more inclusive gaming ecosystems and elevate content that resonates with communities.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud) – Japanese creators Yoshitaka Murayama and Junko Kawano designed this game to bring players a modern take on a classic JRPG experience. Lead up to 100+ playable characters through a war-torn world with diverse cultures and values that only you can save.
Mineko’s Night Market (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud) – Play this cozy game as Mineko, a curious girl who has just arrived at her new home on a struggling Japanese-inspired island at the base of Mount Fugu. Mineko’s Night Market celebrates Japanese culture while introducing a heartwarming story about friendship, tradition, and many, many cats. The husband-and-wife team of Meowza Games, Brent and Brandi Kobayashi, incorporated inspiration from Studio Ghibli and the real-life cat island in Aoshima, Japan.
Sword and Fairy: Together Forever (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud) – Enter a realm based on ancient Chinese mythology and aesthetics in a real-time role-playing adventure from Taiwanese director, Yao Zhuangxian. Command a memorable party of characters, tame spirit creatures, play mini-games, and explore a vast world full of side quests to discover.
Thirsty Suitors (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud) – A celebration of South Asian identity, Thirsty Suitors is a game about culture, intergenerational trauma, and expressing oneself. Follow Jala Jayaratne, a bisexual daughter of immigrants from India and Sri Lanka, in this story-driven adventure that unfolds through skateboarding, cooking, and turn-based battles against exes. Created by Outerloop Games, a minority–led indie game studio that aims to create accessible games with depth about underrepresented cultures and themes.
Venba (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud) – Cook delicious South Indian cuisine and experience the journey of an immigrant Tamil family, from lead developer Abhi Swaminathan. Take on the role of a loving mother and restore lost recipes in this narrative cooking simulator about family, love, loss, and exploring new challenges that arise in day-to-day life.
DISCOVER
Discover the Inspiration Behind the Xbox Logo Design
For Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Xbox commissioned an artist from Thailand to redesign the Xbox logo. The artist was inspired by the Ramayana, an epic tale originally from India and has also influenced other Asian peoples, including those in Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Laos. In Thailand, the story of the Ramayana is told through Kohn, a traditional Thai dance. Just as players create avatars to assume an identity in a game, Kohn performers wear masks to portray different characters.
The Xbox design features Sukhrip (Sugriva), the son of the sun, and Madchanu, the son of a mermaid. The stage scene focuses on Songkran, the Thai New Year, which is celebrated in April. Traditionally, this celebration includes splashing with water to cool down from the hot sun. In this scene, Madchanu playfully splashes Sukhrip with water, while the Xbox logo represents the vibrant sun, capturing the festive spirit of Songkran.
The stage curtains include embroidered wild orchid flowers in the traditional style of Northern Thailand. The pattern also includes fog and rivers, embodying the beautiful, mountainous landscape of the region.
Xbox Ambassadors Celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2024
As part of Xbox’s celebration of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we connected with Xbox Ambassadors of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage about their favorite gaming experiences. They shared ways video games can highlight their heritage in positive and authentic ways. Hear more from Xbox Ambassadors in this Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month blog.
APIHM Dynamic Background and Wallpaper Available Now
The Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Xbox design is available today as an Xbox wallpaper and dynamic background on console – follow these steps to apply the dynamic background:
Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.
Select Profile & system > Settings > General > Personalization > My background > Dynamic backgrounds.
You can choose between Games, Xbox, or Abstract dynamic backgrounds. Choose the background art that you want with the A button.
May 7 kicks off a new, oversized PlayStation Plus Monthly Games lineup! From that day* PlayStation Plus members will have four new titles available to add to their game libraries. Match up against the world’s best on the pitch of EA Sports FC 24, master the art of platforming precision with Ghostrunner 2, embark on an unforgettable puzzle adventure in Tunic, and continue your fight against the Darkness in Destiny 2: Lightfall. All these will be available from May 7**.
Let’s take a closer look at each game.
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EA Sports FC 24 Standard Edition | PS4, PS5
EA Sports FC 24 marks the beginning of the future of football. Built on innovation and authenticity, feel closer to the game in the most true-to-football experience yet with the best players from the biggest clubs, leagues, and competitions around the globe. Experience unparalleled realism in every match thanks to three cutting-edge technologies: HyperMotionV, PlayStyles optimized by Opta, and the enhanced Frostbite Engine. With more than 19,000 fully licensed players, 700 teams, and 30 leagues including the men’s and women’s UEFA Champions League, EA Sports FC 24 brings unrivalled authenticity to the pitch.
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Ghostrunner 2 | PS5
Survive a post-apocalyptic cyberpunk future in this intense and immersive first-person experience, which builds on the fast-paced action of the original. As before, it’s a one-hit kill scenario: fight through enemies without taking damage yourself. But in this sequel, there are numerous combat improvements, non-linear levels with complex motorbike sections and exciting new modes. Your new skills allow you to be more creative and take on even the most demanding encounters with greater accessibility… however, your foes behave uniquely depending on the skills used on them, providing a fresh challenge with each encounter.
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Tunic | PS4, PS5
Explore a hostile and intricately-connected world of shady forests, sprawling ruins, and labyrinthine catacombs in this stylish isometric adventure. Discover hidden treasures and secret techniques to help you on your way. Clash with colossal beasts and smaller enemies deep beneath the earth, high above the clouds and in places stranger still. All will test your knowledge of technical combat as you courageously dodge, block, parry and strike to conquer them. Collect the missing manual pages, bursting with hints and original full-color illustrations.
Download the image
Destiny 2: Lightfall*** | PS4, PS5
This Destiny 2 expansion takes Guardians to Neptune to discover a neon metropolis unlike anything you’ve exploded in Destiny 2 before. Meet the Cloud Striders, join the fight against the Shadow Legion, and prevent devastation in the technologically advanced secret city of Neomuna. Arm yourself with new rewards and unlock new Dark powers with the new Strand subclass: flow through the city with newfound speed as you grapple from building to building. Every class can tap into this new element, but it’s up to you to create the perfect build.
The EA Sports FC 24 Ultimate Team Starter Pack
PlayStation Plus members can also kickstart their Football Ultimate Team experience or build up their existing squad with the PlayStation Plus Football Ultimate Team Starter Pack. This pack includes 11 untradeable players rated 82 or above, alongside one of football’s all-time greats as an ICON Loan Player Pick for seven games.
You’ll be able to find and download this bundle in addition to the PlayStation Plus Monthly Games line up on PlayStation Store. Download EA Sports FC 24 from PlayStation Store to access. Once downloaded, the bundle’s contents will be available in-game immediately.
Last chance to download April’s games
PlayStation members have until May 6 to add Immortals of Aveum, Minecraft Legends and Skul: The Hero Slayer to their game libraries.
*PlayStation Plus Game Catalog lineup may differ in certain regions. Please check the PlayStation Store on launch day for your region’s lineup.
**All four games will be available to PlayStation Plus members on May 7. Ghostrunner 2, Tunic and Destiny 2: Lightfall are available until June 3, and EA Sports FC 24 until June 17.
***Destiny 2 is required to play Destiny 2: Lightfall. Destiny 2 is available for download at no extra cost on PlayStation Store.
There are some amazing PS5 deals to check out right now, including the surprise hit PlayStation Portal is back in stock at Best Buy for $199.99. It’s sold out everywhere else — so if you want one, you’d better grab it quick, as it’s not likely to stay in stock for long. There’s also the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1 for just $30, an incredible deal that’s well worth taking advantage of. Below, you can also find other deals on everything from consoles to SSDs and even information on where to buy a PS5 now.
Best PS5 Video Game Deals: Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1 for $30
One of our absolute favorite physical PS5 deals right now is on the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1, which is down 50% to just $30! This is absolute worth investing in, especially at this price. If you want to see even more of our favorite PS5 deals at the moment, check out the links below.
Perfect PS5 4TB SSD with Heatsink for $239.49 at Amazon
Looking to completely maximize your PS5 storage capabilities? Then this is the deal for you. For a limited time only, this PS5 4TB SSD is available at Amazon for just $239.49 (see here). It has an MSRP of $699.99 which is rather dramatic, but in reality, this and many other 4TB SSDs have been sitting around $280-$300 recently. The 1TB version is also down to just $71.49 as well, the best price you can find on a PS5 SSD at the time of writing. Again, we’re unlikely to see better deals than this until Prime Day in the summer. You can also check out the more PS5 SSD deals here.
Score a Spider-Man 2 PS5 Slim Bundle for $449 (20% Off MSRP)
This deal has been one of our favorites for quite a while (since last year’s Black Friday, actually!) and it’s been selling out at a variety of retailers. Thankfully, Walmart and Best Buy still have some stock, so if you’ve been hoping to grab one of these PS5 Slim bundles, now’s your chance to do so. Who knows how long it’ll stick around for, so act fast! Normally, it retails for $559.99, but it’s been marked down to $449 for a while now which is an excellent deal.
Best PS5 Headset Deals: 20% Off the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro & More Headset Deals
There’s no shortage of PS5-compatible headsets. If you’re constantly having to turn down the volume when you play, you might want to pick up one of these, then you can listen to your games as loud as you darn well please. And if you’d like to see even more options that are worth buying, check out our collection of thebest gaming headsets.
It doesn’t need to have a massive discount to be a good deal, so we thought it would be a great idea to pick out our absolute favorite PS5 and PlayStation offerings that would be relevant to buy no matter the time of year, or the sales going on. From the latest DualSense controllers, to the very best PS5 SSDs on the market, we’ve got it all right here.
Generally, the best time to buy a PS5 console is during major yearly shopping events such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the various Amazon Prime Day sales. Although PlayStation consoles rarely go on sale, you can often scoop up limited-time bundles that include additional an additional game or two, and more.
How to Trade in Your Old PlayStation Consoles
If you’re looking to trade in your old PlayStation consoles, you can do so at select retailers in-store and online. Often, the most widely available retailers are GameStop and Best Buy. However, you can also trade your used devices online at retailers such as Amazon and Microsoft.
Some retailers will offer you cash for your used goods, while others may provide you with a gift card that can be used in-store and online. This is a great way to offload your old gaming gear and get some money that you can put towards a newer console and games.
While trading devices in at retailers will often net you the lowest amount for your used consoles, there are also online marketplaces such as eBay, Craigslist, and OfferUp that may fetch higher prices, but you’ll often be responsible for packing and shipping costs, or be required to meet someone in person for the transaction, the latter of which poses its own risks.
With how expensive gaming is getting in 2024, we’re trying to save you as much money as possible on the games and other tech you actually want to buy. We’ve got great deal roundups available for all major platforms such as Switch and Xbox, and keep these updated daily with brand new offers. If you’re trying to keep costs down while maintaining your favorite hobby, stay tuned for more incredible discounts.
Robert Anderson is a deals expert and Commerce Editor for IGN. You can follow him @robertliam21 on Twitter.
Last month, GTA 6 publishers Take-Two Interactive announced plans to “rationalize” their “pipeline” by laying off five per cent of their workforce – around 580 people – and cancelling various games. As part of that, they’re reportedly now doing away with 70 positions at their Seattle offices – Seattle being the home of the Take-Two-owned Intercept Games, the current developers of space sim Kerbal Space Program 2.
Starfield is set for a significant update in May that adds a number of highly requested features to the space game.
The update, currently in Steam Beta before going live for all players on May 15, finally adds detailed surface maps. In the patch notes, Bethesda acknowledged players have called for improved maps ever since Starfield came out in September last year. “We’ve heard your feedback, and we’ve made some big improvements to surface maps, so you’ll always know just where to go and no longer ‘get lost’ on the way to your parents’ place (and they weren’t buying that excuse anyway, you should really go visit them),” Bethesda joked.
Elsewhere, there are new difficulty options in the settings menu, the addition of ship decoration to the interior of ships, and added display settings for Xbox Series X to prioritize Visuals or Performance. This adds the ability to run Starfield at 60 frames per second on Xbox Series X only (Xbox Series S does not have this feature.)
Speaking to IGN in June last year, Bethesda development chief Todd Howard said the company’s controversial decision to lock Starfield at 30fps across both Xbox Series X and S was to ensure “consistency” of performance.
Speaking now as part of the May update patch notes, Bethesda said it had “heard from many that you’d like to have more control over the graphic fidelity and performance on Xbox, similar to how PC players can customize their experience.” The studio continued: “We’re now enabling that on Xbox Series X with a few options that you can use to find the best fit for your playstyle and display.”
Here’s how it works, per Bethesda:
For each of these, we highly recommend a Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) Display running at 120hz, and to verify your Xbox is setup to use it. If you have it setup this way, Starfield will now default to a frame rate target of 40, while keeping the priority for full visuals.
Frame Rate Target: You can now choose between 30, 40, 60 or an Uncapped frame rate on VRR displays. If you do not have a VRR display running 120hz, you will still be able to select from 30 or 60. Screen tearing may occur at times when selecting 60 on a non-VRR display.
Prioritize: You can now prioritize between Visuals and Performance while trying to maintain the frame rate target. If you’re choosing a frame rate target of 60 or above, we recommend changing this to Performance. Prioritizing Visuals keeps the highest resolution while maintaining full detail for special effects, lighting, and crowds. Prioritizing Performance lowers internal resolution and detail for special effects, lighting, and crowds. Both modes may adjust internal resolution dynamically when scenes or action get heavier as well. When switching between modes, you will see the lighting change briefly as the system catches up to the new mode.
In a recent interview, Bethesda development boss revealed that Starfield’s Shattered Space expansion is due out this fall. A subsequent report claimed it will launch in September. If true, it would arrive one year after Starfield launched as a much-hyped Xbox game and the first new intellectual property from Bethesda in years. IGN’s Starfield review returned a 7/10. We said: “Starfield has a lot of forces working against it, but eventually the allure of its expansive roleplaying quests and respectable combat make its gravitational pull difficult to resist.”
Starfield May 2024 update patch notes in full:
BUG FIXESGENERAL
General Stability and Performance improvements.
General improvements for Character fleeing, avoidance and pathfinding.
Fixed various issues with object placement.
GAMEPLAY
Fixed an issue that could cause a ship’s maximum shield capacity to appear decreased after loading a save with certain assigned crew.
Fixed an issue where invisibility could persist on a companion’s weapon after invisibility effect ended.
Scanning flora/fauna XP is now also awarded via harvesting/killing.
Resolved an issue with unintended harvest items appearing in flora from blended biomes.
Addressed an issue that prevented repeated docking with a previously commandeered ship.
Fixed an issue with Class C flight behavior after entering targeting mode while boosting.
Addressed an issue that could occur when attempting to dock with a ship as it grav jumps away.
Fixed a ship scanner issue that could occasionally display incorrect hostility or crew count.
Fixed an issue where docked ships would appear to overlap after loading a save while boarding.
Stunned Characters should no longer display the option to talk to them.
Fixed an issue that could cause apparel to not display as intended on mannequins.
Helmets placed on Mannequins should no longer cull the neck and torso section.
Addressed an issue that could cause weapons to duplicate when looting and enemy.
Addressed a rare issue that could cause characters to not exit dialogue when attacked.
Fixed an issue that could cause the dialogue camera to quickly shift focus when exiting conversations.
Neon and Ryujin security should be more diligent on arresting the player for criminal behavior.
An Autosave should now be created when fast travelling to the player ship if Save on Travel is enabled.
Fixed an issue with sandstorm hazards not working as intended under certain conditions.
Fixed an issue with weather changing incorrectly when entering a ship.
Addressed an issue related to using the Starborn Power ‘Inner Demon’ on certain Robot models.
Resolved a few issues related to loading a save after using ‘Phased Time’ power.
Fixed an issue with lip-sync while ‘Phased Time’ was active.
Fixed a rare issue that could cause legendary Starborn weapons to lose their special effects.
Resolved an issue that could prevent storing items in containers aboard the Razorleaf.
Addressed an issue that could cause the player to appear as if they were in zero gravity after completing a temple.
Fixed an issue with Rifle Certification skill that could prevent faster reloading benefit.
Resolved issue with certain weapons not being able to fire immediately after they were aimed.
Resolved and issue that could cause melee attacks to occur without animation.
Fixed a visual issue with the Laser sight emitted from an enemy Magshear.
Resolved a weapon visibility issue that could occur when opening the hand scanner with ‘Toggle Iron Sight’ setting enabled.
Fixed a weapon visibility issue that could occur when switching between weapons of different types.
Addressed an issue with how the Subtitles from the ECS Constant were displayed.
Addressed an issue with gaps appearing on the character when previewing helmets in the Transfer Menu.
Resolved and issue that could cause clothing to be seen through the spacesuit after aiming with a scope.
Addressed and issue that could cause enemies to receive unintended force when killed.
Fixed an issue that could occur when killing a seated character.
Loading save should retain camera settings.
Addressed an issue that could cause quests to have a much longer cooldown than intended.
Resolved an issue where UC ships could still send friendly hails to a member of the Crimson Fleet.
Fixed areas of Moara’s ship where player could become stuck.
Fixed an issue that could cause the desk inside the Ship Services building in Akila to disappear.
Fixed an issue that would prevent random ship encounters from landing on planets in some situations.
Fixed an issue with the turn counter on the persuasion minigame when dealing with the Star Parcel Freighter.
Ship Service Technicians should now return to their normal location if they had previously wandered away.
Players who find their way into Benjamin Bayu’s penthouse should now be able to exit properly.
GRAPHICS
Exterior ship lights should now appear as intended in Photomode and during travel sequences.
Fixed various shadow issues (flickering and precision).
Fixed an issue that could cause the galaxy map to zoom out to an incorrect extent. (PC).
Fixed a rare issue that could cause the ocean to not blend smoothly with the shore.
Fixed an issue that could cause the screen to be stretched on 16:10 and 32:10 screens with FSR3 in the character editor (PC).
Improved the look of depth of field in specific cases.
Fixed subtle flickering that could occur on some on highlighted parts in the ship editor.
Improved the look of lighting and shadow under trees.
Improved wind direction consistency.
Fixed an issue causing the glow of stars to be slightly visible through planets.
Fixed a few visual artifacts with some VFX.
Improved the look of rain ripples on water.
Fixed an issue that could cause missing fog to occur while landing in Neon.
Improved flickering artifacts sometimes present with upscaling techniques DLSS, FSR, XeSS (PC).
Fixed a few flickering and ghosting issues for FSR3 (PC).
Fixed an issue that could cause the game UI to disappear after changing the Borderless Full Screen option when using FSR3 (PC).
Fixed an issue that could occasionally cause artifacts during camera transitions.
Fixed a rare issue that could cause missing object highlights in the hand scanner.
Fixed a rare issue that could cause visible rain effects inside a spaceship.
Fixed an issue that could cause water to turn white in New Atlantis when using a particle beam.
Adjusting a setting option that read as “Off” to now read as “Low Quality” for motion blur.
Adjusted the default value for Ship Third Person FOV.
Fixed an issue that could cause weapons on racks or in containers to disappear or change upon re-entering the player’s ship.
OUTPOSTS
Fixed an issue that could cause robots to appear unassigned after deleting the Outpost Crew Station.
Addressed an issue with Cargo Link parts not updating orientation after moving a structure at an Outpost.
Removed red outline that could sometimes remain on objects after they were repaired at an outpost.
Fixed an issue where changing greenhouse flora types in Outposts could disconnect the water input.
Resolved an issue with environmental hazards persisting inside outpost structures built in hazard areas.
Fixed an issue where greenhouse plants sometimes didn’t move correctly when the greenhouse was relocated.
Fixed issues where stairs could sometimes be deleted when deleting objects placed on them at an outpost.
Addressed an issue that allowed the player to reach unintended locations by stacking furniture in Outposts.
Resolved an issue with storage container auto foundations appearing where stackable containers already exist in Outposts.
Fixed an issue with Outpost wires not moving correctly when a wired structure was moved.
Addressed an issue that could cause habitat modules to float when supporting structures were removed.
Fixed an issue that could unintentionally affect the ambient audio of Outpost items.
Fixed an issue with inner-system cargo ships not unloading resources to capacity.
QUESTS
Back to the Grind: Fixed an issue that could cause the camera to unintentionally return to first person when exiting the interview seat with Imogene.
Breaking the Bank: Fixed an issue where unselected Dialogue options would incorrectly gray out when talking to Chief Purser Murata.
Breach of Contract: Resolved the issue where Dr. Keala may not have been present at the intended location.
Crew Encounter: Resolved an issue that could cause Betty Howser to not appear in Jake’s bar to be hired.
Echoes of the Past: Fixed a rare issue that could cause Delgado to get stuck while traversing the canyon.
High Price to Pay: Fixed an issue where progression could halt if a United Colonies character was hit during the escape.
Hostile Intelligence: Resolved the issue that could cause the Steam Tunnels to become inaccessible if the mission area was left for a long time.
Into the Unknown: Addressed an issue that could cause Vladimir to no longer give the Player Temple locations.
Into the Unknown: Fixed a rare issue where the temple location would not populate when receiving the “Go to” objective.
Legacy’s End: Fixed an issue that could cause Huan Daiyu to not be positioned as intended at the end of the mission.
Legacy’s End: Fixed in issue that could cause the Crimson Fleet Prisoners to have incorrect idle lines while standing in the Brig of the Vigilance.
Legacy’s End: Resolved an issue with returning to the Key if a freed prisoner was killed.
Loose Ends: Addressed an issue that could cause the scene between Neshar and Neon Security to not occur as intended.
No Sudden Moves: Fixed a rare issue that could cause Petrov to get stuck walking to the artifact.
One Small Step: Addressed an issue that could cause Vasco to appear stuck in the floor of a commandeered Crimson Fleet ship.
One Small Step: Miners should no longer fire on the player in the Vectera mines.
One Small Step: Resolved an issue that could prevent fast travel to the ship from the world boundary.
Rook Meets King: Addressed an issue that could cause idle animations to play on a corpse.
Sabotage: Fixed an issue that could cause manipulated characters to move in an unintended way.
Start-up Stopped: Addressed an issue that sometimes caused the quest not to initiate.
The Best There Is: Fixed an issue that could cause player to incorrectly receive and unintended objective.
The Devils You Know: Improved where characters were looking in some scenes.
The Mantis: Fixed a rare issue that could cause the Razorleaf to disappear.
The Old Neighborhood: Addressed an issue that could occur when using area of effect attacks in Moara’s ship.
War Relics: Addressed an issue that could cause Unit 99 to appear stuck.
Left Behind: NPCs will no longer talk about being attacked by wildlife on lifeless planets.
Legacy’s End: Resolved an issue that could cause NPCs to be culled depending on where the player is located.
Grunt Work: The Terrormorph should no longer get stuck if lured into the room Hadrian is hiding in.
One Small Step: Miners should no longer fire on the player in the Vectera mines.
One Small Step: Resolved an issue that could prevent fast travel to the ship from the world boundary.
Rook Meets King: Addressed an issue that could cause idle animations to play on a corpse.
Sabotage: Fixed an issue that could cause manipulated characters to move in an unintended way.
Start-up Stopped: Addressed an issue that sometimes caused the quest not to initiate.
The Best There Is: Fixed an issue that could cause player to incorrectly receive and unintended objective.
The Devils You Know: Improved where characters were looking in some scenes.
The Mantis: Fixed a rare issue that could cause the Razorleaf to disappear.
The Old Neighborhood: Addressed an issue that could occur when using area of effect attacks in Moara’s ship.
War Relics: Addressed an issue that could cause Unit 99 to appear stuck.
Left Behind: NPCs will no longer talk about being attacked by wildlife on lifeless planets.
Legacy’s End: Resolved an issue that could cause NPCs to be culled depending on where the player is located.
Grunt Work: The Terrormorph should no longer get stuck if lured into the room Hadrian is hiding in.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
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