In a recent conversation, Xbox head honcho Phil Spencer shed some light on the Xbox Series S, emphasizing its importance and the edge it provides to developers. While many gamers enjoy top-tier titles on both the Xbox Series X and S, some developers have flagged the challenges of creating games that seamlessly run on both the high-powered Series X and its more budget-friendly sibling, the Series S. Spencer, however, believes there’s a strategic advantage in designing for the Series S.
Phil Spencer Highlights the Xbox Series S Advantage
Spencer pointed out that today’s focus on portable and less powerful devices has given the Xbox team a leg up due to their experience with the Series S. Developers have previously voiced concerns about crafting games for the Series S, but Spencer confidently asserts that the console can deliver an excellent current-gen gaming experience.
He recently sat down for an interview on The Destin Channel where he was asked about the Xbox parity clause. This clause mandates that games released on the Series X also must be compatible with the Series S. Interestingly, Spencer has a positive take on this: "With handheld PCs gaining traction and the new Switch 2 in play, the landscape of device specs is broadening. Many devices, especially battery-operated ones, now vary significantly in power. I see it as a perk that we’ve been building for the Series S, because it means our games can transition easily across many device specifications. When you look at something like a Steam Deck or ROG Ally, our S-version games are naturally more in tune with the specs of these emerging devices, and that’s beneficial for us."
He continued, "Modern engines are highly adaptable. They can handle everything from high-end, ray tracing-enabled PCs to portable battery-operated devices. For us, developing for the Series S has been valuable, and it enhances our overall lineup."
The gaming community has talked about the challenges of achieving optimal performance on the Series S before. Baldur’s Gate 3, for instance, saw Xbox players waiting longer due to difficulties with the split-screen co-op feature on the Series S. Eventually, with Microsoft’s engineers stepping in, the game was optimized, and players got to enjoy one of the finest RPGs on Xbox in recent times.
Speaking about current-gen titles, Spencer shared, "I’ve been playing Indiana Jones on the Series S and it’s fantastic. It’s definitely capable of handling current games with flair. As developers aim to support various devices, the Series S specs align well with many new devices being launched today. It’s a crucial consideration for future projects, offering a balance of power and performance."
What do you make of Spencer’s insights? How’s your experience with the Xbox Series S been? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. And if you’re exploring Indiana Jones’ adventures like Spencer, keep an eye out for upcoming patches in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle that will resolve some pesky bugs.
