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PS4 4.50 Firmware Update: Boost Mode Analyzed in ‘Bloodborne,’ ‘Batman: Arkham Knight,’ ‘Assassin’s Creed’ & More [VIDEO]

PS4 4.50 Firmware Update: Boost Mode Analyzed in ‘Bloodborne,’ ‘Batman: Arkham Knight,’ ‘Assassin’s Creed’ & More [VIDEO]

Pia Merci

PlayStation 4's recent 4.50 firmware update, which is currently only available in beta version, has introduced a Boost Mode for PS4 Pro. As per Sony, this said mode offers smooth gameplay on selected PS4 games that reportedly haven't received PS4 Pro patches. Presently, a Digital Foundry report appeared to support such claims after tests conducted on "Assassin's Creed Unity," "Bloodborne" and more.

It seems that games' base frame rates do not show much improvement. However, more demanding areas and moments in some games reportedly no longer cause the dip frame rate they did before.

Take for example "Bloodborne." Although it is still capped at 30 FPS in Boost Mode, its frame rate is said to no longer dip to the mid-20s when it runs through particular sections of Yarnham. As for "Batman: Arkham Knight," it appeared to be having similar improvements in its driving sections that now run at a stable 30 FPS with enabled Boost Mode.

Meanwhile, for "Knack," "Killzone: Shadow Fall" and "Tomb Raider Definitive Edition," they are said to show a 14 percent overall frame rate increase in more demanding sections. The mentioned 14 percent increase is in GPU clock speed between a normal PS4 and a Boost Mode-enabled PS4 Pro. CPU upgrades have given "Assassin's Creed Unity" a 31 percent enhancement during frame-dropping parts to 29 FPS, GameSpot reported.

The most impressive improvement so far is "Project Cars." According to Digital Foundry, the said improvement shows 35 percent to 38 percent in frame rate, which means the game's targeted 60 FPS is being consistently hit.

More importantly, Sony says that once players experience any unexpected behavior during gameplay, they should disable the Boost Mode feature. Note that results may possibly differ from game to game.

It remains true, as well, that Sony has not even confirmed such feature to be part of the final 4.50 firmware release. Hence, it is still possible that it may not make it into the update. The company also opened up to GameSpot that Boost Mode's inclusion in the said update is still under consideration. Additionally, the 4.50 update is expected to include a revamped Quick Menu, an external storage support and more.

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