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Summary

In this episode of 'Xbox Ready', Ray discusses the ongoing controversy surrounding the Xbox Series S, focusing on its impact on game development as highlighted by Warhorse Studios' claims that the console's limitations affected the scope of 'Kingdom Come Deliverance 2'. The video explores the community's divided reactions, the challenges faced by developers, and the need for a balanced approach to accommodate both the Series S and its audience, while considering the future of Xbox platform strategy.

Takeaways

• 🎮 The Xbox Series S has been a controversial console since its release, often blamed for limitations in game performance and scope.
• 🔥 The console's critics argue that it holds back gaming progress, with some developers and gamers calling it underpowered and a burden to the industry.
• 📉 Warhorse Studios, creators of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, claimed the Series S' technical limitations, particularly its 10 GB of RAM, affected the scope of the sequel, limiting the game's size increase to 25%.
• 🌐 There's a divide in the gaming community: some blame developers for not optimizing well, while others blame Xbox for releasing a less powerful console.
• 💡 Laran Studios found a new optimization method for Baldur's Gate 3 on the Series S that benefited all versions of the game, showing potential for the console's capabilities.
• 🤔 The video raises questions about the necessity of developing for the Series S, especially when other less powerful consoles like the Nintendo Switch don't receive the same criticism.
• 🛍️ The Series S has been a sales success, indicating a market for a budget-friendly console that can still deliver quality gaming experiences.
• 🛠️ Developers generally dislike creating multiple versions of their games for different platforms, which can be a challenge with the并存 of the Series X and Series S.
• 🔍 The video suggests that Xbox and developers need to find a balance, possibly by focusing on PC game versions that can be adapted for Xbox, to avoid the need for separate console optimizations.
• 🚀 Rumors of future Xbox consoles, possibly including a handheld or a hybrid PC/console, hint at potential solutions to the current challenges faced by the Series S.
• 🔑 The key takeaway is that the success of the Series S with consumers shows there's a demand for a more affordable console option, and the industry will need to adapt to meet these needs.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video script?

The main topic discussed in the video script is the ongoing controversy surrounding the Xbox Series S and its perceived limitations in comparison to other gaming consoles, particularly in relation to the development of Kingdom Come Deliverance 2.

Why has the Xbox Series S been a subject of controversy?

The Xbox Series S has been a subject of controversy due to its technical limitations, such as having only 10 GB of RAM, which some developers claim has held back the scope and quality of certain games, including Kingdom Come Deliverance 2.

What was the claim made by Warhorse Studios regarding the Xbox Series S and Kingdom Come Deliverance 2?

Warhorse Studios claimed that the scope of Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 was limited because of the technical limitations of the Xbox Series S, specifically citing the console's 10 GB of RAM as a constraint that affected the game's size and scope.

What does the game's producer mean by the Xbox Series S having only 25% more RAM than the Xbox One, limiting the game to only being 25% bigger?

The game's producer is suggesting that because the Xbox Series S has only a modest increase in RAM compared to the Xbox One, they are restricted in how much they can expand the game's content, implying that the Series S is a limiting factor in the game's development.

What are the performance expectations for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X versions of Kingdom Come Deliverance 2?

The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X versions of Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 are expected to run at 4K resolution with 30 FPS, although it is not specified whether this will be native 4K or upscaled.

What is the speaker's view on blaming customers for the limitations of the Xbox Series S?

The speaker is against blaming customers for the limitations of the Xbox Series S, arguing that it is not the customer's fault and that developers and platform holders should adapt to the preferences of their customer base.

What is the role of Squarespace in the video script?

Squarespace is the sponsor of the video, and the script includes a promotion for their website-building services, offering a discount code for viewers.

What is the speaker's opinion on the importance of having a large map in open-world games?

The speaker believes that having a large map in open-world games is not always beneficial and can lead to a bloated gaming experience, suggesting that quality and focused content are more important than sheer size.

What is the speaker's suggestion for Microsoft's approach to game development for the Xbox Series S going forward?

The speaker suggests that Microsoft should be more flexible with game development requirements for the Xbox Series S, potentially allowing developers to focus on a single PC version of their game that can be adapted for the console, rather than requiring specific versions for different Xbox models.

What are the rumored future Xbox consoles, and how might they address the current issues with the Xbox Series S?

The rumored future Xbox consoles include a handheld Xbox and a next-generation hybrid PC/console. These could potentially run PC versions of games, which would then be emulated on the consoles, addressing the issue of having to develop separate versions for different Xbox models.

What is the current market trend regarding the preference for more affordable gaming consoles?

The market trend shows that there is a significant demand for more affordable gaming consoles, with people continuing to buy the Xbox Series S, Nintendo Switch, and Steam Deck, indicating that many consumers prioritize cost and portability over high-end performance.