Overwatch gets 120fps mode on Xbox Series X and S

Overwatch has received optimizations for the Xbox Series X and S through an update. The game gets three additional modes that adapt the game’s graphics to the player’s preference. They can prioritize resolution, image quality and frame rate.

The three modes are called Resolution, Balanced and Framerate. With the latter, the game runs at a maximum of 120fps on both the Xbox Series X and S. The Series X has a 1440p resolution and the Series S has 1080p. According to the patch notes, this mode is at the expense of image quality, but Blizzard does not report which parameters are adjusted. Options like anti-aliasing, reducing reflections and shadows could provide performance gains to enable the high frame rate.

The PlayStation 5 version of the game will not yet be able to use the extra processing power of that console in this way. Blizzard doesn’t report on that itself, but Overwatch isn’t the only game in this position: Rocket League and Call of Duty: Warzone don’t have a 120fps mode on the PlayStation 5, but they do on the Xbox consoles. According to Rocket League developer Psyonix, that’s because running a PS4 game on the PS5 with 120fps support is a lot more work than an Xbox One game on the Xbox Series X and S.