'Multiple' Studios Ask Microsoft To Drop Xbox Series S Support
There are reports that 'multiple' developer are asking Microsoft to drop Xbox Series S support, as rows about framerates dominate the gaming scene.
21st Oct 2022 14:46
Images via Remedy Entertainment | Microsoft | Warner Bros. Montreal
'Multiple' Studios Ask Microsoft To Drop Xbox Series S Support
There are reports that 'multiple' developer are asking Microsoft to drop Xbox Series S support, as rows about framerates dominate the gaming scene.
21st Oct 2022 14:46
Images via Remedy Entertainment | Microsoft | Warner Bros. Montreal
It's not a good look that just two years after you release a console, people are asking you to drop support for it. Worse than this, it's (for once) not the sometimes toxic fandom doing it, but developers themselves.
The upcoming Activision Bizzard acquisition has thrown a Molotov cocktail at the age-old console wars, with Microsoft and Sony going to war in a he-said/she-said game of playground antics. While each boasts its own merits, it's no secret that the PlayStation continues to leave Xbox in the dust in terms of console sales. By the sounds of it, it's only going to get worse.
Why Do Devs Want Microsoft To Drop Xbox Series S Support?
According to PSU, a number of developers are asking Microsoft to drop a reported mandatory requirement for titles to run on Xbox Series S. For those who don't know, Xbox Series S is the little brother of the beefier Xbox Series X, and with a tempting price difference, is largely aimed at those on more of a budget.
Posting on Twitter, Bossa Studios VFX Artist Ian Maclure wrote, "It might sound broken, but the reason you are hearing it a lot right now is because many developers have been sitting in meetings for the past year desperately trying to get Series S launch requirements dropped." Maclure continued, "Studios have been through one development cycle where Series S turned out to be an albatross around the neck of production.
"Now that games are firmly being developed with new consoles in mind, teams do not want to repeat the process." Suggesting that the I Am Fish developer isn't alone in this request, PSU pointed out that Gotham Knights' Lee Devonald has previously said (and deleted): "I wish gamers understood what 60fps means, in terms of all of the things they lose to make the game run that fast. Especially taking into account that we have a current-gen console that’s not much better than a last-gen one."
Is The Xbox Series S Doomed?
Although it's not confirmed what Devonald is referring to, it's suggested that he's dunking on the Xbox Series S. Given the recent backlash Gotham Knights has faced for being locked to 30 FPS, could there be more to the story here? The whole argument was kicked off by Giant Bomb's Jeff Gerstmann saying he doesn't believe the Xbox Series S is holding back new-gen development.
Asking what happens next, it's almost impossible to imagine Microsoft abandoning the Xbox Series S like it's some sort of PlayStation Vita. Even though it's true Microsoft never makes a profit on its consoles, both the Series S and Series X are selling too well right now. Still, with rumours of more PS5 and Xbox Series X models on the way, there's a chance the Series S will be languishing in a console graveyard before too long.
About The Author
Tom Chapman
Tom is Trending News Editor at GGRecon, with an NCTJ qualification in Broadcast Journalism and over seven years of experience writing about film, gaming, and television. With bylines at IGN, Digital Spy, Den of Geek, and more, Tom’s love of horror means he's well-versed in all things Resident Evil, with aspirations to be the next Chris Redfield.
