Developer Rebel Wolves has confirmed that its upcoming action RPG, The Blood of Dawnwalker, will feature a dedicated 60 frames-per-second Performance Mode at launch following widespread community feedback.
The decision arrives shortly after a recent gameplay showcase exhibited the title running across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, and Xbox Series X systems. During that demonstration, the studio initially revealed that the game would launch with only two visual options, both capped at 40 frames per second. Notably, even the high-end PlayStation 5 Pro shared this exact frame rate ceiling, sparking criticism from console gamers who expected fluid performance from modern hardware.
Addressing the negative reaction on social media, the development team announced that a day-one update will officially introduce a 60fps target for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, and Xbox Series X. Rebel Wolves clarified that a smoother Performance Mode was already in development and under internal testing prior to the reveal. However, because tests had not been finalized, the team was originally hesitant to guarantee the setting for release day.
Strong player engagement prompted the studio to prioritize the final round of testing ahead of schedule. Successful test results gave the developers the confidence to fast-track the 60fps option into the launch patch rather than saving it for a post-release update, despite the ongoing pressure of finalizing the game ahead of its scheduled release.
While current-generation flagship consoles are getting the upgrade, lower-spec hardware appears to be excluded. Footage of the game on Xbox Series S was omitted from the preview, and Rebel Wolves has not mentioned a 60fps mode for the budget system, suggesting it will run at lower performance targets. Published by Bandai Namco Studios, The Blood of Dawnwalker is set to launch on September 3, 2026, with a Mature 17+ ESRB rating due to intense violence, blood and gore, strong language, sexual content, and nudity.
The controversy highlights an ongoing tension in the current console era. While 60fps was initially expected as a standard benchmark for this hardware generation, several recent demanding titles have struggled to maintain higher frame rates, prompting studios to offer 40fps compromises that meet continued pushback from players.
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