The Elder Scrolls Online - Console Enhancements Preview
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When The Elder Scrolls Online’s upcoming Blackwood Chapter goes live on June 8, 2021, it will be accompanied by a fairly meaty next-gen update harnessing the full power of the new console generation. This marvelous feat of engineering should allow the game’s console players to experience it in 60 FPS for the first time. Beyond that, the update will introduce a whole heap of miscellaneous graphical enhancements, improve loading times, and more.
Here’s a quick preview:
And some additional details:
WHAT IS CONSOLE ENHANCED?
Launching with the Blackwood Chapter and Update 30 on June 8, Console Enhanced allows ESO to run natively on the Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, harnessing the horsepower of new-generation console tech to dramatically improve the game’s visual fidelity and performance on those machines. All new ESO players can access Console Enhanced immediately upon purchasing, and for existing customers, it is available as a free upgrade.
ESO: Console Enhanced will be available for all console players, regardless as to whether they originally played on previous-generation consoles or not. All you need is the game and an Xbox Series X|S or PlayStation 5.
TAMRIEL TRULY UNLIMITED
Currently, you can play ESO in backward compatibility mode on new generation consoles, but Console Enhanced represents a major leap forward for the game’s visuals and performance on Xbox Series X/S or the PlayStation 5. Here’s a short list of the improvements you can experience when you download the Console Enhanced version on your new machine:
60 FPS
For the first time, you can experience the game running at 60 frames per second when in “Performance Mode” on console. Previously capped at 30FPS, you can now enjoy a crisp 60FPS throughout your adventures.
Increased Draw Distance
Thanks to Console Enhanced, the game’s draw distance has almost been doubled for your new console, allowing you to see more than ever before when exploring the ever-growing world of Tamriel.
Unlocked Textures
In addition to Draw Distance, we’ve also unlocked the ability for new-gen consoles to use high resolution textures so that they look even better on larger screens.
Updated Antialiasing
Improved antialiasing is also in place to help smooth out the jagged edges of foliage, grass, and structures in game while also sharpening these elements when viewed up close.
Improved Reflections
We’ve also improved visuals with the addition of planar reflections, providing a massive boost to the game’s level of detail and realism. This is most noticeable in areas with water (such as Vivec City or Summerset). Note that when in Performance Mode, the boost to reflections might vary in water-heavy zones (such as Murkmire) or in areas where performance is most valued (such as in Cyrodiil or Trials).
Improved Ambient Occlusion with Screen Space Global Illumination
Upgrades to the game’s ambient occlusion with SSGI creates more realistic and natural indirect lighting and broadly boosts the level of detail in the game’s shadows.
Improved Shadows
Speaking of shadows, shadow resolution has been doubled and set to the PC equivalent of “Ultra”—the best possible setting for shadows in any version of ESO. This includes improvements to shadow distance.
Improved Depth of Field
The upgrade enables circular depth of field (the highest possible setting), creating smoother and more realistic background views, particularly when interacting with NPCs.
Improved Loading Times
Finally, loading times have been tuned to be much faster than previous generation consoles, with loading times being nearly cut in half on average.
Phew! As you can see, a TON of improvements and additions are coming with ESO: Console Enhanced, resulting in a major leap forward in terms of graphical fidelity and performance for console players.
