Traditionally speaking, Bethesda’s Fallout series isn’t known for existing on the bleeding-edge of tech, opting for a string of complex and deep RPG systems in favor of eye-melting visuals. Fallout 4 will be no different.
During a panel presentation at E3 last week (via GameSpot), the esteemed developer recounted its approach to the post-apocalyptic template, and how the game’s less-than-stellar graphics are a result of the sequel’s sheer ambition. Here’s what Marketing Executive Pete Hines had to say on the matter of visual fidelity.
Everything that we do is a balance. We could make the best looking game possible, but we dial some of that back in order to allow for all of these other things. If you want to pick flowers and make potions all day, then that’s what you’re role-playing. If you want to go shoot everybody in the head with a laser-musket, then that’s what you’re role-playing.
Alongside this tidbit is news that Bethesda’s latest entry into the series will be locked at 1080p/30fps across all consoles platforms – PC will, as expected, remain unrestricted – revealing that while player choice and a sprawling open-world have been placed front and center, Fallout 4 is by no means a technical slouch. For Bethesda, the message is clear: what Fallout 4 lacks in visuals it certainly makes up for content, with early play test indicating just how big Fallout 4 and its rendition of a decimated Massachusetts really is.
Fallout 4 will release across PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC on November 10. In the months after launch, Bethesda plans to begin rolling out mods – but, crucially, free mods – to PC, before transitioning the creative feature onto Microsoft and Sony’s systems, though a deal is still to be finalized with the latter platform holder.