Dune: Awakening Devs Say Xbox Series S Is a 'Challenge' for Game Optimization

Developers have often cited the Xbox Series S console as a limitation and/or a significant optimization challenge during game development. Microsoft's choice to deliver a cheaper but considerably less powerful hardware (the Xbox Series S only has 20 Compute Units clocked at 1.565 GHz for an estimated computing power of 4 TFLOPS, whereas the X has 52 Compute Units clocked at 1.825 GHz for an estimated computing power of 12.16 TFLOPS) still has fans debating whether it was worth it, four years alter. Xbox console sales are still dwindling, and developers continue to point at the issues of optimizing their games for the Xbox Series S.

The latest to do so is Funcom's Chief Product Officer Scott Junior, whom we interviewed as part of our Dune Awakening Gamescom Q&A. In another interview at the Cologne convention, Junior told VG247 that one of the reasons for the game's delay on consoles compared to PC is the need to optimize for Microsoft's weaker console.

"So, it's one of the reasons we're coming out on PC first. There's a lot of optimisations we need to do before we release on the Xbox. But yeah, Xbox Series S is a challenge."

"Unreal does a lot of the work for us in some ways. What we're more doing is optimisation of assets, and using various technologies, be it FSR or something else, to replicate frames. We want the game to look stunning on high-end, whether you have a 3070 or a 4090, but we also want it to look good... I don't think we've released our min-spec yet, but you know, powerful cards from a few years ago should be able to run the game. It should look good - it won't be able to leverage the ultra-spec options, but it'll still look nice."

At Gamescom 2024, we also heard from GSC Game World that the Ukrainian developer is now optimizing STALKER 2 for the Xbox Series S after successfully bringing it to 60 frames per second on the X. The game is currently running at around 35 frames per second, but they're aiming to improve it (with some help from Microsoft's team) before the launch on November 20.

Xbox Series S: A Consistent Challenge for Developers

The statement from Funcom's Scott Junior is not the first time a developer has highlighted the Xbox Series S as a hurdle. The developer of Enotria: The Last Song recently announced an indefinite delay for the Xbox version of its game, citing Microsoft's lack of communication. This suggests that the Series S is not the only issue that developers face with Xbox, but rather a combination of factors including platform support and communication from Microsoft.

However, the Series S has been a recurring theme in developer discussions. Last year, Larian Studios encountered similar difficulties with Baldur's Gate 3 and ultimately opted to launch the game months later than planned on Xbox. While the studio initially stated that they could not achieve a stable 60fps on the Series S, they later confirmed that they were able to overcome this issue. However, the delay highlights the challenges of optimizing for the Series S, which can significantly impact release schedules.

A Difficult Future for Xbox?

The ongoing challenges faced by developers with the Xbox Series S and Microsoft's support raises questions about the platform's future. It's evident that developers are struggling to adapt their games to the less powerful console, and this can create delays and impact the overall quality of the gaming experience. While the Series S has been a significant sales driver for Microsoft, its impact on game development cannot be ignored.

It remains to be seen how Microsoft will address the ongoing concerns. The company has been known to be proactive in supporting developers, but it will need to find ways to make the Series S less of a burden for developers while maintaining its affordability. With the next generation of consoles on the horizon, Microsoft will need to find solutions that can address these issues and ensure a more consistent and positive experience for both developers and players.

A Deeper Look into the Problems with the Xbox Series S

The Xbox Series S was introduced as a budget-friendly console designed to offer a high-quality gaming experience at a lower price point. However, its limitations in terms of processing power and memory have become increasingly apparent. While the console can run games at lower resolutions and frame rates compared to the Xbox Series X, it has proven to be a challenging platform for developers aiming to deliver optimal performance. Here are some of the key issues that developers have encountered with the Xbox Series S:

1. Memory Constraints

The Xbox Series S has a significantly smaller amount of RAM compared to the Series X, which can lead to performance issues, particularly in games with demanding memory requirements. This can manifest as stuttering, frame rate drops, and reduced visual quality. Developers often have to make compromises to optimize games for the Series S, which can result in a less immersive experience on the platform.

2. Processing Power Limitations

The Series S's less powerful processor can struggle to maintain consistent frame rates, especially in graphically demanding games. Developers are often forced to reduce graphics settings, resolution, or even gameplay features to achieve a playable experience on the Series S, which can result in a less impressive visual experience.

3. Development Challenges

The need to optimize for both the Series S and Series X can create additional challenges for developers. They have to strike a balance between delivering a high-quality experience on the Series X while ensuring that the game is playable on the Series S. This can significantly increase development time and costs, and sometimes lead to compromises in gameplay features or graphics fidelity.

Moving Forward: A New Approach Needed

While the Xbox Series S has been a successful product for Microsoft, its impact on game development cannot be ignored. Developers are constantly facing challenges with the platform's limitations, and this is impacting the quality of games and the release timelines. Microsoft needs to consider a new approach to address the challenges of the Series S, whether it's by providing developers with additional tools and support, or by potentially reconsidering the console's hardware specifications. Ultimately, the goal should be to ensure that developers can deliver the best possible gaming experience across all platforms, including the Xbox Series S, without sacrificing quality or introducing significant delays.