(Opinion) Xbox version: Framerate cap should be optional

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Firstly, I’m looking forward to playing Flight Simulator on my Series X as my laptop can’t run it in proper fashion. It’s nice to see the huge performance improvements (shown in the June 30 live stream). However, as a console player I think there are some questionable decisions regarding the new release.

Firstly, 4K rendering is forced on Series X. Although we don’t know whether it’s native 4K or a lower rendering scale, I think it would be beneficial to have this option in the game on console, just as we have it on PC. Not the rendering scale slider, but at least a resolution choice. Lower resolution may lead to better performance and there are many players on 1080p or 1440p screens with a Series X, who wouldn’t necessarily need a 4K image. Especially if it’s native 4K, I think that’s unnecessary and only costs valuable performance.

Secondly, the framerate. The current setup is that Flight Simulator is capped at 30 fps even though “it could go higher”, but the framerate is actually not capped on VRR screens. The developers have said it could go up to 60 fps, depending on the environment below of course.

Well, again, as a console player, I’d love to have the option to unlock the framerate and see how high it can go, even on a standard 60 Hz non-VRR screen. I don’t expect a stable 60 fps of course but I also wouldn’t mind some slowdown in places. Still, the sim would run higher than 30 in less populated areas, and when I’m flying over a flat natural environment, or high in the sky, I’d love to have smoother camera movement, etc. I don’t like the fact that we’ll be forced to lock at 30 fps, and what’s more, people with VRR screens could potentially enjoy much more.

I think the 30 fps cap should be optional and not tied to VRR. We could then decide whether we want to lock it or deal with some stutters but still at higher framerates. And I honestly hope that in the future this option will be made available on console.

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That is exactly why they do lock the frame rate. Camera movement especially shows up uneven frame pacing. On PC when MSFS is running at ~50 FPS the camera movement is plain horrible. It’s jerky, nasty and as clear as day that the frame rate is not 60. In many was 30 FPS looks smoother when you swing the camera compared to 50 on a non-VRR 60 Hz display. The slow movement of the gameplay itself is alright if you leave the camera static, but camera movement itself very quickly highlights your true performance.

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I know as this is a regular problem with console games that can’t maintain a smooth 60 fps. However, I’d still like to have the option in case I’m flying in an area where it could be smoother. Especially combined with a lower resolution and the performance optimizations I do think it could be doable.

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In Q&A they said you’re not locked to 30fps if you have a TV that supports a variable refresh rate.

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+1 to this, you are not locked if your TV supports the variable refresh rate.

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I stated that in my original post. :slightly_smiling_face: What I also stated is that I’d like to have the unlocked framerate option on non-VRR screens. Depending on the situation it could provide a better experience than constantly being capped at 30 fps. And would be nice for testing purposes as well.

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I have an xbox series x downstairs on a big 4k TV. Game looks nice etc but 30fps locked. Fair enough

BenQ 60hz VRR also locked at 30fps I think. Seems VRR only works on 120hz panels why I don’t know.

Unlock option please add! Apart from cities it will be well above 30 on the series x

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