Fallout 4 has been updated again, following the next-gen update of April 25, and features new graphics modes for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S.
Bethesda Game Studios has given players more PC-like controls over the visuals of Fallout 4 on the PlayStation and Xbox consoles, but the patch notes advise you don’t use them.
“Thanks to your feedback, we’ve been able to implement the ability to control your graphic fidelity and performance,” reads the Fallout 4 update’s patch notes. “We highly recommend you run with the default settings but now you can change your options to better fit your playstyle and display.”
The new options uncouple the target frame-rate and visual-quality settings. Fallout 4’s frame rate target can now be set to 30, 40 or 60 frames per second. The visual quality can be set to favour “visuals” or “performance”.
It is unusual for consoles to offer separate visual-quality and frame-rate settings, as the two are inextricably linked in current console hardware. However, it is a handy form of future-proofing that opens up possibilities for future, more powerful hardware, able to play the console version of Fallout 4.
Bethesda Game Studios recommends selecting the Performance visual mode if the frame rate target is set to 60fps.
“It is important to note that to select 40, your display must be able to support 120Hz,” the patch notes also read. If you have an older 60Hz TV, it’s likely you won’t see the 40fps option, or that it will be greyed out. Displaying a 40fps feed on a standard 60Hz TV would cause a stuttery-looking image.
Other changes made in the Fallout 4 update are bug fixes and “general stability improvements”.
The Fallout 4 next-gen update was criticised for its bugs issues at launch, including faulty ultra-wide monitor support for the PC version. This appears to have been addressed, at least in part, in this update.
“Fixed issue with character name field when in widescreen mode,” is among the listed fixes.
The Prime Video Fallout TV show adaptation saw a massive jump in Fallout 4’s player count, with daily peaks rising from around 24,000 to 187,000 on PC alone, according to estimates by SteamDB.
