The May Update For Starfield Introduces A 60 Fps Performance Goal For The Series X, With A Sneak Peek At The In-Game Terrain Transportation

Starfield's eagerly anticipated May update, highlighted by Bethesda's Todd Howard earlier in the week, is now ready for beta test runs on PC, unveiling an extensive facelift for the planetary maps, along with a fresh 60fps performance target mode on Xbox Series X. Bethesda has also offered a sneak preview of terrestrial vehicles slated for a forthcoming Starfield upgrade.

The substantial patch notes from Bethesda commence with notable refinements for the challenging planetary maps - a topic further explored in a dedicated developer diary. An ambitious revamp aims to inject more functionality and granularity into the maps. This includes upgraded city depictions with volumetric maps highlighting places of interest. Moreover, invoking Starfield's scanning tool now overlays these markers onto the actual surroundings, aiding players in their navigation toward desired destinations.

The patch also delivers a robust array of nuanced gameplay settings, allowing gamers to tailor combat damage levels for adversaries and themselves, adjust aim assistance strength, render ammunition weight non-existent, modify the efficacy of health restorative items, alter the triggers for autosave checkpoints, among other customizations. In addition, Bethesda has incorporated a new "extreme" difficulty level that exceeds the existing "tough" setting.

Ship customization has been enhanced by introducing a "decorate" function while aboard spacecraft. This feature operates similarly to the Outpost mode, allowing players to creatively place decor such as mats, light fixtures, digital display panels, and safety signage from a personal perspective. Bethesda unveils clutter-free habitats for ship assembly to support the new "decorate" option.

The May patch furthers the experience for those embarking on a New Game + adventure by allowing character trait reallocation and aesthetic makeovers during the Unity sequence. Xbox Series X enthusiasts can now enjoy settings that balance graphical performance with visual fidelity. The Performance mode, intended for use with the new 60fps benchmark choice, complements a 30fps option for standard monitors. Those with 120Hz VRR displays have additional frame rate choices, including 30, 40, 60, or uncapped rates, with the default set to 40fps.

This update also integrates options to deactivate dialogue cameras for a less intrusive conversational experience and presents interface refinements for managing inventory and items. Comprehensive patch specifics can be found on Bethesda's website, and the update, officially dubbed 1.11.33, will be a broadly accessible post-Steam beta phase.

Finally, Bethesda's tantalizing preview concludes with a brief look at Starfield's roadmap. Beyond mentioning upcoming missions and an allusive nod to the "Shattered Space" expansion expected in autumn, we caught a fleeting glimpse of the planetary rovers destined for a later update. They appeared briefly, showcasing their mobility and confirming their anticipated arrival.

Todd Howard once downplayed the need for rovers before Starfield's release, suggesting the choice allowed the team to calibrate how quickly players would encounter new sights. However, last December hinted at "new modes of exploration" set to emerge within Starfield, and indeed, such developments loom on the horizon.