Control’s Console Performance Issues May Be Fixed In A Future Update

Remedy has outlined its plans for future Control updates, detailing what fixes it’s working on, what isn’t coming to the game, and when we can expect to hear about new content for the surreal action title. Improving console performance is among the top items on the list.

Control has received critical acclaim since its release last week, but if there’s one dark cloud hanging over the game it’s the unfortunate performance issues on base Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles. A Digital Foundry report delved into console performance last week, revealing how badly the frame rate is affected in hectic action sequences. Control targets 30fps on consoles, but the report says it can drop into the 10s on base Xbox One and PS4, sometimes lingering around these low numbers for an extended period of time. Performance is better on Xbox One X and PS4 Pro, but even these upgraded consoles aren’t exempt from frame rate issues. Digital Foundry suggests waiting for a patch if you can only play Control on base consoles.

Fortunately, an update is on the way. In a new blog post, the studio says it’s working to improve console optimization, but “these things do take time and don’t happen at the press of a button (as much as we wish they did).” However, Remedy does say Control’s next update (tentatively due out mid to late September) will be adding an on/off toggle for motion blur and film grain on all platforms. It also plans to improve how the in-game map loads to ensure that all of the relevant information is displayed immediately and correctly, because it’s not working as intended right now.

HDR support will not be coming to the game, though. “This is a decision based on the fact that development resources are limited, and we need to allocate what we have in a certain way,” the blog post explains. “Moving into post-launch, we prefer to use the resources we have to focus on future free content for Control like the Photo Mode. We realize this may disappoint some players, but we hope the additions we plan to bring to Control more than make up for the absence of HDR.”

As far as new content is concerned, Remedy wants to make it clear this is just the beginning for Control. “Next week, we hope to provide our players with an update on future content plans, something we know many of you are very keen on. Stay tuned for more information on that!”

If you haven’t purchased Control yet, Peter Brown recommends it in GameSpot’s review. “It’s not often that a game invades my thoughts the way Control has,” his review concludes. “I’m at the point where I want to consume every last thing it has to offer. And if I’m honest, it also makes me want to go back and replay Remedy’s past games, too. Sure, it’s a faulty metroidvania in some respects, but there are so many exceptional qualities afoot that Control handily deflects any momentary ire. I can’t wait to take part in discussions about the game, to see what others have figured out, and to better understand where it all fits into Jesse’s story.”

You can currently pick up Control on sale for $10 off on PS4 and Xbox One. GameSpot also has you covered with a guide to solving one of its trickiest puzzles, and information on how long it takes to beat. There’s an unexpected cameo worth seeing, too, and you can see where Remedy’s latest placed in the UK’s physical games chart.

from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/controls-console-performance-issues-may-be-fixed-i/1100-6469551/