Many months ago Bethesda promised to upgrade The Elder Scrolls Online for the Xbox One X.
Unfortunately, we haven't heard concrete plans about resolution and other effects since then. Today that changed because the company revealed all of the upgrades the Xbox One X version will receive. Aside from running at native 4K on the upcoming console, the game features upgraded shadows with screen space ambient occlusion (SSAO), upgraded water reflections, and increased view distance. The patch is coming out tomorrow, November 7, 2017, when the Xbox One X launches.
According to a post on The Elder Scrolls Online website, if you're connected to a 4K display, the game will run at native 4K resolution without resorting to upscaling or checkerboarding techniques. Apart from that, reflections on Xbox One are limited to simple static textures. On Xbox One X they're enabling higher quality real-time reflections which should make water look more realistic.
For those unfamiliar with the term, SSAO is a method of generating shadows when nearby objects block some lighting. The Xbox One X enables this feature which makes environments and characters look like they have more depth and dimension. Lastly, increasing the draw distance allows you to see more of the environment around you. All of these are welcome changes which should make the game even better to look at.
Many other Bethesda games are getting Xbox One X support as well. Recently the publisher confirmed that Dishonored 2, Dishonored: Death of the Outsider, Fallout 4, and Skyrim: Special Edition would feature 4K resolution on Xbox One X. However, the company also added that the resolution is dynamic, meaning that it may vary in order to keep the frame rate stable. It's unclear if these games also go up to native 4K resolution like The Elder Scrolls Online on the upcoming console as we weren't provided specifics. It may be checkerboarded too. We'll update you as soon as we know about the exact upgrades they bring to the table.
In The Elder Scrolls Online, experience one connected world and stay up to date with everything your friends are doing. Whether you play alone or with friends, the game's combat system allows you to focus on action and tactics. You can use any weapon at any time, no matter your class, and customize your abilities to play the way you want. There are hundreds of quests. The goal is to uncover the mysteries of Tamriel, and seek heroic quests on your own schedule. You can explore the far reaches of Skyrim, the mysterious lands of Morrowind, the sprawling metropolis of Daggerfall, and much more. If you haven't played the multiplayer game, be sure to check it out at retailers.
Keep an eye on WindowsCentral.com/Gaming for all the latest in Xbox and Windows 10 gaming, accessories, news, and reviews!