4Game

OK, so I have been just out exploring since late December to enjoy some smooth, smooth framerates and zen. Back to Colonia and re-dabbled in a bit of on foot CZ and scavenger clearing pew pew again to see if it has had any smoothness improvements in the updates since. It has not.

Until performance can be improved, CZs should limit the number of NPCs running around shooting. The frames clearly do not currently support it. Maybe make the limited number tougher to kill and more stealthy (e.g. hide/barricade in buildings) and have fewer waves. In all other aspects of the game I get a solid 75fps, most settlement non-large-scale pew pew missions get a decent 50-60fps, CZs get maybe 35-45. NO GOOD for that kind of gameplay.

In short, make the conflicts smaller in scale but tougher.

Also, regardless of performance, CZs should completely remove the capture the flag, whack-a-mole mechanic. Firstly because it makes everything too hectic for the framerate to support, but also is gamified nonsense. Instead make actual strategic buildings (power, command, drilling rigs, labs, etc.) be the actual targets to defend or attack (if they have already been captured). That would immediately make things feel a bit more, real, more real high-stakes, and more focussed. If the enemy capture all their objectives and more of their reinforcements arrive, that's it, you lost the CZ. Fade to evacuation transport out of there.

If performance can be truly, radically improved, not the small incremental steps forward (and some back with each update) then maybe CZs could be made bigger in scale again. Until then, FDev need to take decisive action to admit current limitations and lean in to it.

NOTE: I am not hating on the devs, they have done amazing work so far, there's a lot I like, but there are clear limitations that have gone on too long without conceding any strategic scaling back. It can easily be framed in a positive light. A rethink. A more focussed feature… etc.

I wish this game nothing but success and a long future of moving forward, and to do that they need to end the impasse.

My System specs - a decent recent rig, not top of any range, but good : 
* AMD Ryzen 7 3700X 8-Core Processor   3.60 GHz
* RAM 32.0 GB 3600
* AMD Radeon RX 6800 
* Display: Freesync 2560 x 1080 @ 75hz 

Anyone with lesser systems are likely extremely frustrated 
(and last gen console users will likely permanently left behind), 
and people with similar or higher specs are likely extremely baffled 
that their expensive kit can't run this as well as similar gameplay 
in other titles. 

Peace. Out! 🙂