Rebel Wolves has confirmed that The Blood of Dawnwalker will receive a 60FPS Performance Mode on consoles at launch, following strong player criticism of its initial performance targets.
A recently released gameplay trailer presented the vampire role-playing game running with two console options: one targeting 30FPS and another targeting 40FPS. The 40FPS setting was also planned for PlayStation 5 Pro, which surprised players expecting a higher-frame-rate option for a combat-focused open-world RPG.
The reaction was not limited to technical enthusiasts. Some players questioned the visual quality of the open-world footage, while others said the lack of a 60FPS mode would push them towards the PC version, despite preferring to buy physical games.
60FPS mode confirmed for three consoles
Rebel Wolves has now moved faster on its plans. The studio says a Performance Mode targeting 60FPS will be included through the launch patch on day one for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro and Xbox Series X.
The announcement came on August 24, ahead of the game’s September 3 release. The developer explained that the mode was already being developed, but testing had not reached the point where the team was comfortable promising it for launch. Player feedback made the importance of the feature clear, and the latest test results gave the studio enough confidence to confirm it.
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What the launch patch means for players
The trailer’s original YouTube upload has since been made private. Even so, players will have the choice of a smoother presentation when The Blood of Dawnwalker arrives, rather than being limited to the previously announced 30FPS and 40FPS targets.
That does not necessarily make the original performance options unacceptable. The Witcher 3, whose lead developers worked at the same studio, was played by many console owners at 30FPS without undermining its qualities. Its later 60FPS update for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S was welcome, but strong design and storytelling are not automatically determined by frame rate.
The remaining question is why the new mode needed a launch patch if it had been in development already. Modern day-one releases can vary considerably in polish, and The Witcher 3 itself had a troubled technical state when it first launched. Hopefully, the extra testing will mean Dawnwalker delivers a stable experience across its console modes.
Players comparing display performance across modern systems can also explore RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide, browse the latest arcade machines, or consider compact bartop arcade cabinets for a dedicated gaming setup.
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