By Sagar V. Mankar Starfield’s bumpy launch left many fans questioning if the highly anticipated sci-fi RPG could live up to expectations in 2024.
Fortunately, an exciting new graphics feature may give Starfield the boost it needs on PC.
FSR 3 Coming to Steam Beta Next Week
On February 3, Starfield announced that AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution 3 (FSR 3) will arrive in the game’s Steam beta branch next week.
The feature will then roll out to all PC players before Starfield’s next major update later in February.
FSR 3 is AMD’s answer to Nvidia’s acclaimed DLSS 3 technology.
It uses advanced upscaling algorithms to generate extra frames between normally rendered frames.
This results in significantly smoother performance and higher frame rates.
According to AMD, FSR 3 can potentially double frame rates in supported games.
To benefit, AMD recommends users maintain a baseline frame rate of 60 FPS or higher.
The feature works across a wide range of GPUs, including Nvidia cards RTX 20-series and up.
Major Lighting, Shadows, and Texture Improvements
FSR 3’s impending arrival comes on the heels of Starfield’s biggest update yet on January 30.
The patch introduced sweeping enhancements to lighting, shadows, and textures.
It also resolved two serious issues plaguing players.
- First, a save corruption bug that was deleting hours of progress.
- Second, a bizarre glitch causing an asteroid to stalk players’ ships.
Despite the improvements, some fans feel Starfield still falls short of expectations.
But Bethesda confirms more updates every six weeks, with sweeping changes planned throughout 2024.
DLC, Mods, Maps and More Coming
In February, Bethesda outlined Starfield’s 2024 roadmap.
Upcoming updates will introduce must-have features like city maps, additional difficulty options, and official mod support.
The studio also confirmed Starfield’s first story expansion, Shattered Space, will launch later this year.
Details remain scarce, but fans hope the DLC can propel Starfield to new heights.
Spacesuit Design Contest Underway
While awaiting new updates, fans have a unique way to engage with the IP.
Bethesda is running a spacesuit design contest until February 24.
The winner will receive a life-size replica of their design, an Xbox Series X, a limited edition controller, and a Starfield headset.
A cool opportunity for imaginative fans.
Can Starfield Claw Its Way to the Top in 2024?
Despite a rocky start, Starfield seems poised for an epic comeback story.
Major graphics upgrades like FSR 3 paired with meaty expansions could make 2024 the year Starfield finally achieves its destiny amongst the stars.
Expectations remain cautious, but hopes are high.