Redfall‘s official Twitter account has announced that you won’t be able to play the game at 60fps on consoles — at least not at launch.
What seemed at first like a bad late April Fools’ joke was recently confirmed by the company, stating that Redfall would be launching on the Xbox Series X and S consoles in ‘Quality mode’ only, locking in the 30fps as the only option.
Redfall is launching on Xbox consoles with Quality mode only: Xbox Series X: 4K 30 FPS Xbox Series S: 1440p 30 FPS 60 FPS Performance mode will be added via game update at a later date. pic.twitter.com/NLaGsMbwdW
Looking at the details, the upcoming first-person shooter will run in 4K at 30fps on the Xbox Series X and 1440p at 30fps on the Series S.
The news comes as a tough blow, as 60fps has become the standard for most first-person shooters, especially on current-gen systems.
PC users’ frame rates are dictated based on their hardware, so if you’re dead set on slaying vampires at 60fps, that might be your best option for now.
Surprisingly, Arkane Studios also announced that 60fps ‘Performance mode’ will be added via a game update at a later date. It’s unclear when that update will release, however.
With Redfall already being previously delayed, it looks like Arkane is eager to release the game as soon as possible, even if it means sacrificing technical performance at launch.
Redfall launches on May 2nd, 2023 on the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. The game will release on Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass subscription platform.
I’ve been experimenting with Microsoft’s Xbox Series X for the past few months because I wanted to see if it could replace Sony’s PlayStation 5 console in my heart. I’ve been using the PlayStation 5 since its launch, and before that, the PlayStation 4. That said, I was an Xbox 360 player, so getting back to the world of Microsoft has been an interesting experience after all this time.
When I picked up the Xbox Series X, I was skeptical that it would offer real value over PlayStation’s premiere console, and while I don’t outright state which one is better in this story, Microsoft’s console offers several advantages.
How it went
I’ve used the Xbox Series X for about three months, and during that time, I didn’t play it every day, and it also wasn’t a half-and-half situation. For the most part, I still spent a lot of time on the PlayStation 5 — not because I outright preferred it, but because I play a lot of Overwatch 2 and my friends and I talk over the console’s voice chat. I also played Hogwarts Legacy on the PlayStation 5 because it offered exclusive content on Sony’s console. That’s not to say I haven’t spent dozens of hours using the Xbox Series X over the last few months, however.
In fact, there have been weeks where I’ve spent a considerable amount of time only using Microsoft’s flagship system. What attracts me to the console is its Game Pass Ultimate membership, which is still unrivalled across the video game industry. Of course, PlayStation has PS Plus Extra and PS Plus Premium, but in its current state, it pales compared to Game Pass.
Game Pass Ultimate immediately gave me a library of dozens of great games on the Series X, allowing me to try out several titles I otherwise wouldn’t have. With all that said, there are a few reasons why I think Game Pass’s offering is better than PlayStation’s and what keeps me returning to the console.
“…Playing most titles on Xbox Series X didn’t feel notably different than on the PS5.”
I love that Game Pass Ultimate gets new triple-A titles as soon as they come out. PlayStation’s subscription service, on the other hand, doesn’t release new games right when they launch. In fact, only a few indies have been released at launch, including Stray and Tchia.
With Game Pass, I was impressed with titles like Atomic Heart and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, and I was ecstatic that I could play them on their release date. With Game Pass Ultimate, you can preload these titles in advance, another useful feature. For example, one of the games you can download ahead of time is Redfall, an upcoming co-op first-person shooter I’m excited about.
Speaking of games, playing most titles on Xbox Series X didn’t feel notably different than on the PS5. That said, I found the Series X’s controller awkward and thick, and I’m still more of a fan of the PS5’s DualSense because it’s thinner and aesthetically more pleasing.
Other Game Pass titles I played included Weird West, which I spent a ridiculous amount of time playing, along with Grounded and Minecraft Dungeons.
Game Pass Ultimate offers so many titles, and I love its freedom. It feels like being back in the era when you could rent games, allowing you to try them out before buying them — and if you don’t like the title, it’s not a significant loss. For example, playing Atomic Heart without buying it outright was useful. I learned that I really didn’t like the overt sexual tone of one of the NPCs and decided to stop playing.
Sony and PlayStation could catch up to Game Pass one day, but the company would need to add newly released first-party titles (and I don’t see that ever happening), but until then, Game Pass Ultimate has my heart.
At the moment, Microsoft has no exclusives that attract me to the console on the same level as Sony’s God of War: Ragnarök or Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. While I like Grounded and Halo Infinite, they don’t make me feel that I need to purchase an Xbox. However, with Bethesda’s offerings like Starfield and Redfall on the horizon, I’m glad I have a Series X to play. I’m also intrigued by Hi-Fi Rush. Thankfully, all these exclusives are available on Game Pass.
While Sony has launched a couple of games on PS Plus Extra, I won’t consider purchasing that until all first-party exclusives are released on its game subscription service (which probably will never happen).
Aside from Game Pass, I’m a big fan of the Xbox Series X’s ‘Quick Resume’ feature. It allows players to hop back into a game without menus, even after the console is off. I wish the PS5 offered similar functionality; it’s good at starting games up quickly, but jumping right into the game with Quick Resume is even faster.
I also liked how much smaller and lighter the Series X is compared to the PS5. Typically if I’m staying at my parent’s place for the holidays, I avoid bringing my PS5 because it’s too big to move around easily. On the other hand, the Series X is easy to carry. I wouldn’t go so far as to call it portable, but it’s a lot easier to pack into a bag and take with you than Sony’s console.
PS5 or Series X?
I’m not totally sold on switching to the Series X, but that’s mostly because my friends are still on Sony’s console. Overall, based on my experience, I don’t necessarily find one console better, but Game Pass and Quick Resume are top-of-the-line features that I wish Sony’s PS5 offered.
With this in mind, unless a game or content is exclusive to the PS5, I might buy it on Xbox instead. And with Game Pass, having exclusive titles like Redfall and triple-A content on release day like Lies of P (my most anticipated title of the year) available through the subscription service, Xbox is difficult to beat.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs $16.99/month and includes access to EA Play, game streaming and the PC version of Game Pass. The Xbox Series X costs $599.99. Sony’s PlayStation Plus subscription service is available in several tiers, including ‘Premium,’ $21.99/month ‘Extra,’ $17.99/month ‘Essential’ $11.99/month. The PlayStation 5 costs $649.
Sony’s God of War Ragnarök PS5 bundle is available for $669.96 at Best Buy and Amazon. The regular disk edition of the PS5 is available for $649.96 at Best Buy and Amazon.
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The Xbox Series X/S gamepad has received several design upgrades that significantly enhance its functionality compared to the Xbox One controller. These upgrades include textured grips, triggers, and a redesigned D-Pad, which provide a solid gaming experience.
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Tango Gameworks’ Ghostwire: Tokyois coming to Microsoft’s Xbox Series X/S and Game Pass on April 12th.
Along with the Xbox console release, the game is getting a new update called Spiders Thread that releases on the same day. The update includes a new game mode, areas, extended story cutscenes and more.
Spiders Thread has players moving through 30 unique stages pulled from 120 levels. You can unlock in-game money, skills and other upgrades through the mode. New map areas include a Middle School that offers new missions, and two new enemies called “the invisible Silent Gaze” and “elusive Retribution.”
Ghostwire: Tokyo was first released on PlayStation 5 and PC in 2022. Microsoft purchased Tango Gameworks last year as part of its acquisition of ZeniMaxMedia (Bethesda’s parent company). Despite the purchase going through, the tech giant still honoured Tango Gameworks’ commitment to release Ghostwire: Tokyo on Sony’s competing PS5.
Fast forward to now, and an updated game version is making its way to Microsoft’s consoles. For more on Ghostwire: Tokyo, check out MobileSyrup’sin-depth look at the game.
Microsoft is now rolling out an Xbox update that lets users control the console from within the Google Home app.
The Google Home app remote control typically only works with Android TVs and Google TV-powered devices, but now it’ll let users turn off or on their Xbox, navigate back, go home and turn the volume up and down. Further, you’ll find a navigational touchpad and standard media controls that include play/pause and skip/previous at the bottom. You’ll also get a directional navigation touchpad and standard media controls with a play/pause and skip/previous at the bottom.
There’s also a mute/unmute option alongside a “record game clip” button.
You’ll need to refresh your devices if your Xbox appears in the Google Home app. Although, you’ll need to update your Xbox to OS version 10.0.22621.3446 (xb_flt_2302ni.230208-1530).
On the other hand, the 8-can version of the Series X replica fridge is down to just $48.88, making it a much easier joke/impulse buy (even I might pick one up). This smaller version of the fridge cost $99.99 when it was first released ($51.11 off)
It’s worth noting that this doesn’t seem to be a limited-time discount, with both fridges’ regular prices being slashed in time for the holiday shopping season.
Even with the Series X replica fridges’ issues (they’re apparently very loud), they could be the perfect last-minute gift for that gamer in your life.
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Microsoft’s ‘Countdown Sale’ discounts several games up to 60 percent off until January 2nd. Additionally, controllers and the Xbox Series S are also on sale.
There are a ton more games available at a discounted rate that you can check out Xbox’s site.
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Xbox has confirmed that it’s removed a DRM hurdle on the Xbox Series X that relates to playing original Xbox One games.
DRM, or digital rights management, refers to the online process of verifying that you actually own a license to the content you’re attempting to access. On Series X, this means that the console will no longer need to run a DRM check if you’re playing a disc version of an Xbox One game. Xbox engineering lead Eden Marie confirmed the quiet rollout of the feature on Twitter.
Yes, this is true since the 2206 update. We examined data since Series X|S launch & determined the online compatibility check isn't needed in the vast majority of cases for Xbox One discs. Some games may still need to be updated online after install to ensure the best experience.
This is a notable change, as Microsoft has been criticized for aggressively enforcing DRM on consoles, as it requires an online connection to play many games. Naturally, this would render them unplayable in the event of, say, an internet outage.
On Twitter, Marie explained that Microsoft determined that the online compatibility check “isn’t needed in the vast majority of cases for Xbox One discs.” However, she added that “some games may still need to be updated online after install to ensure the best experience.”
Of course, none of this applies to the Xbox Series S, which is a digital-only console. It remains to be seen whether Xbox will lift some of the other DRM-related restrictions in the months to come.
It’s worth noting that the free titles aren’t physical discs, and you’ll receive a code via email to download the game through Xbox Live. All three bundles come with the 512GB version of the Xbox Series S, an Xbox Wireless Controller and a high-speed HDMI cable.
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Xbox is partnering with Marvel once again to offer a themed Xbox console as part of a giveaway. Ahead of the Thor: Love and Thunder’s July 8th release in theatres, fans can enter to win a Mjolnir-themed Xbox Series X.
Not to be confused with Master Chief’s Mjolnir armour, the limited-edition Xbox Series X is modelled after Thor’s iconic hammer. Those following along with the MCU know that the weapon was destroyed by the hands of Hela in Thor: Ragnarok. However, as seen in the trailer, Thor: Love and Thunder sees the return of Mjolnir in the hands of Jane Foster aka The Mighty Thor.
Sadly, the Thor: Love and Thunder Xbox won’t be sold on store shelves or online. Instead, anyone eager to get their hands on the console must enter Xbox’s giveaway. To do so, you must follow Xbox on Twitter and Retweet the embedded tweet below with the hashtag “#ThorLoveandThunderXboxSweepstakes”.
The Xbox Series X is looking a little different after a bit of love and thunder.
In order to be worthy of wielding this Mjolnir-themed Xbox, participants must be legal residents in any of the Xbox-supported countries or regions. Entrants must be 18 or older as well. There is a one-entry limit per person and Twitter account. Additional rules may apply.
