Microsoft pushed TOO FAR! Xbox Update!

Summary

In this video, the host discusses the Xbox Series S's controversial role in gaming, particularly its impact on performance and game optimization. With the recent delay of 'Black Myth: Wukong' on Xbox due to memory leak issues, the debate over the console's limitations heats up. The host also reflects on past console limitations, such as 'The Witcher 3' in 2015, and emphasizes the need for Xbox to balance appealing to a broader audience while not neglecting the expectations of its hardcore fan base.

Takeaways

• 🎮 The Xbox Series S has been a controversial console since its release in 2020, facing criticism for its limited hardware capabilities.
• 🔍 The game 'Black Myth: Wukong' has highlighted issues with the Xbox Series S, as it is rumored to be delayed indefinitely due to optimization problems and memory leaks.
• 📉 Microsoft's veiled threat about the deals other platform rivals have with game developers suggests a competitive tension in the gaming industry.
• 💻 The Xbox Series S's limited memory has been identified as a problem for games in the past, which could be a contributing factor to the 'Black Myth: Wukong' delay.
• 🚫 The inability of 'Black Myth: Wukong' to pass Xbox's certification process due to crashes raises questions about the Series S's role in game development limitations.
• 🛠️ Some developers are said to prioritize optimization for the Series S, potentially at the expense of the Series X's performance, which could disappoint hardcore gamers.
• 🕊️ The Xbox Series S is positioned as an approachable console for casual gamers or those new to gaming, offering a more affordable entry point.
• 📚 Historically, consoles have often held back games from reaching their full potential, as seen with 'The Witcher 3' in 2015, which had to be downgraded for console performance.
• 🔄 The gaming community has mixed feelings about the Series S; some appreciate its affordability and accessibility, while others are frustrated by its limitations.
• 🔄 Xbox's strategy to appeal to a broader audience with the Series S is seen as both a strength and a weakness, with the need to balance the expectations of casual and hardcore gamers.
• 👥 The video includes a perspective from a Series S user who enjoys the console for its compact size and performance, highlighting the subjective nature of gaming preferences.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the video?

The main topic of discussion is the controversy surrounding the Xbox Series S and its impact on game performance, particularly in relation to the game 'Black Myth: Wukong'.

Why has the criticism of the Xbox Series S increased recently?

The criticism has increased due to the game 'Black Myth: Wukong' not launching simultaneously on Xbox as it did on other platforms, allegedly due to optimization issues and memory leak errors that prevent the game from passing Xbox's certification process.

What was the situation with 'The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt' in 2015?

In 2015, 'The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt' was reported to have been downgraded from its initial gameplay reveal due to the limitations of video game consoles, which was a major narrative surrounding the game at the time.

What is the Xbox Series S's role in Xbox's strategy to appeal to a broader audience?

The Xbox Series S is part of Xbox's strategy to offer a more affordable and compact console for those who may not prioritize high-resolution gaming, thus appealing to a broader and more casual audience.

How does the Xbox Series S compare to the Xbox Series X in terms of performance and features?

The Xbox Series S is a less powerful console compared to the Series X, with limitations in graphical performance and memory. However, it is marketed as being able to play the same games with the same features, albeit with potential compromises in quality.

What is the issue with the game 'Balers Gate 3' on the Xbox Series S?

The issue with 'Balers Gate 3' on the Xbox Series S was that it couldn't get split-screen working, which meant the game wouldn't have feature parity between the X and S versions.

What is the viewer's perspective on the Xbox Series S based on the video?

The viewer, Haley, finds the Xbox Series S approachable and enjoys the gaming experience on it, particularly for games like 'Disney Dream Light Valley' and 'Animal Crossing', without major concerns about graphical fidelity or performance issues.

What is the potential impact of the Xbox Series S on the gaming industry according to the video?

The potential impact includes a division within the Xbox community, with some feeling that the Series S is holding back gaming performance and others enjoying the accessible and affordable option it provides.

What does the video suggest Xbox should do to improve their strategy?

The video suggests that Xbox should do a better job of balancing their offerings for both casual and hardcore gamers, being upfront about the limitations of the Series S, and prioritizing the Series X version of games where possible.

What is the general sentiment among developers towards the Xbox Series S as portrayed in the video?

The sentiment is mixed; while some developers may not be too fond of the Series S due to its limitations, others have provided anonymous opinions that are quite favorable about the console.

How does the video address the issue of game optimization for multiple platforms?

The video acknowledges that game optimization for multiple platforms, including the Xbox Series S, can be challenging and may lead to compromises in performance or graphical quality to ensure a game's release on all targeted platforms.

Outlines

00:00

🎮 Xbox Series S Controversy and Black Myth Wukong Delay

The video script discusses the ongoing controversy surrounding the Xbox Series S, particularly in light of the game 'Black Myth Wukong'. The game, developed by Game Science, has been delayed on the Xbox platform due to optimization issues and memory leak errors, which have led to crashes and failure to pass Xbox's certification process. The script suggests that while the Series S has been criticized since its release in 2020, this incident has intensified the debate. It also touches on Microsoft's veiled threat regarding deals with game developers and the broader implications for Xbox's strategy and reputation.

05:01

🛠 Balancing Xbox Strategy: Series S and Series X

This paragraph delves into the balancing act of Xbox's strategy to appeal to a broader audience with the Series S, while maintaining the high-performance expectations of Series X owners. It acknowledges the challenges faced by game developers in optimizing for both consoles and the potential for the Series S to limit the gaming experience. The speaker suggests that Xbox needs to better manage expectations and possibly prioritize the Series X version of games for a more satisfactory experience, especially for those who invested in the high-end console.

10:02

🕹️ Haley's Perspective on Gaming with Xbox Series S

The script presents a personal account from Haley, who has spent over 100 hours playing on her Xbox Series S. She discusses her preference for the Series S over other consoles due to its compact size and suitability for her gaming needs. Haley highlights her positive experience with games like 'Disney Dream Light Valley', noting improved performance and graphics on the Series S compared to other platforms. Despite the console's controversies, she expresses contentment with the Series S and a willingness to continue using it even if faced with graphical limitations in certain games.

15:03

📈 The Dual Impact of Xbox Series S on Gamers

The final paragraph wraps up the discussion by acknowledging the dual impact of the Xbox Series S. It recognizes that while some gamers, like Haley, enjoy their Series S experience without concern for high-end gaming features, others are frustrated by the console's limitations, as evidenced by the 'Black Myth Wukong' delay. The speaker concludes that Xbox's strategy to expand its audience has merit but emphasizes the need to ensure that the hardcore gaming community does not miss out on gaming opportunities and that expectations are managed effectively across the board.

Keywords

💡Xbox Series S

The Xbox Series S is a video game console developed by Microsoft. It is the less powerful counterpart to the Xbox Series X, with a focus on compact size and affordability. In the video, the console is a central point of discussion, with the speaker exploring its impact on gaming due to its limited hardware capabilities, which some believe are holding back the potential of certain games.

💡Controversial decision

The term 'controversial decision' in the video refers to choices made by Xbox, particularly in relation to the Series S console. The speaker discusses how these decisions have led to debates within the gaming community, especially concerning game performance and optimization issues on the Series S.

💡Black Myth: Wukong

Black Myth: Wukong is a game developed by Game Science that has gained significant attention. The video mentions the game as an example of a title that has faced challenges in being optimized for the Xbox platform, specifically the Series S, leading to delays and performance issues that have sparked discussions about the console's limitations.

💡Memory leak

A memory leak in the context of the video refers to a software bug that causes a program to consume more memory than it should, potentially leading to crashes. The speaker suggests that a memory leak issue might be contributing to the problems faced by the Xbox Series S in running certain games like Black Myth: Wukong.

💡Game optimization

Game optimization is the process of refining a game to ensure it runs smoothly on various hardware platforms. The video discusses the challenges faced by developers in optimizing games for the Xbox Series S, which has less memory and processing power compared to other consoles, leading to performance issues.

💡FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)

FOMO is a term used to describe the anxiety or desire to be part of a trend or event that one is not currently involved in. In the video, the speaker mentions how Xbox owners are experiencing FOMO due to the inability to play certain games like Black Myth: Wukong on their consoles, as they are available on other platforms.

💡The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a critically acclaimed action role-playing game developed by CD Projekt Red. The video uses it as an example of a game that was reportedly downgraded in terms of graphics and performance to accommodate console hardware, specifically referencing past controversies about the game's quality on consoles.

💡Console limitations

Console limitations refer to the technical constraints of gaming consoles that can affect the performance and graphical quality of games. The video discusses how these limitations have historically impacted games like The Witcher 3 and are currently affecting the Xbox Series S in relation to titles like Black Myth: Wukong.

💡Market strategy

Market strategy in the video pertains to Xbox's approach to targeting a broader audience with the Series S console, focusing on affordability and simplicity rather than high-end performance. The speaker suggests that while this strategy has merit, it may be alienating the more dedicated gaming community that expects higher quality experiences.

💡Frame rate

Frame rate is the frequency at which a game's visuals are updated per second, affecting the smoothness of motion. The video discusses the importance of frame rate to gamers, particularly in the context of the Xbox Series X, where expectations are for games to run at 60 frames per second, contrasting with the limitations of the Series S.

💡Casual gamers

Casual gamers are individuals who play games infrequently or without a deep commitment to the gaming community. The video suggests that Xbox's strategy with the Series S is to appeal to this demographic, offering a console that is easy to use and affordable, without the need for high-end gaming features.

Highlights

Xbox's controversial decision with the Xbox Series S is affecting the gaming market and its compatibility with new games like 'Black Myth: Wukong'.

Game science faced difficulties optimizing 'Black Myth: Wukong' for the Xbox platform, leading to delays and criticism of the Series S.

Xbox Series S has been criticized since its release in 2020 for its limitations, which are now affecting the gaming experience for some titles.

The Xbox Series S's memory limitations have been a concern for game developers and are suspected to be the cause of issues with 'Black Myth: Wukong'.

The Xbox certification process is a hurdle for games like 'Black Myth: Wukong', which has not been able to pass due to performance issues on the Series S.

Rumors suggest that the Xbox version of 'Black Myth: Wukong' is indefinitely delayed due to a memory leak error causing crashes.

The controversy around the Xbox Series S raises questions about its impact on game optimization and the gaming experience.

The Xbox Series S's limitations have been compared to past console limitations that affected games like 'The Witcher 3' in 2015.

Xbox's strategy is to appeal to a broader audience, similar to CD Projekt Red's approach with 'The Witcher 3', by making gaming more accessible.

The Xbox Series S is praised for its compact size and portability, making it an attractive option for casual gamers.

Some gamers prefer the Xbox Series S for its ease of use and affordability, despite its limitations in performance and graphics.

The debate over the Xbox Series S's impact on gaming highlights the need for balance between accessibility and performance.

Xbox needs to better manage expectations and balance the needs of both casual and hardcore gamers in their console offerings.

The gaming community is divided over the Series S, with some enjoying its benefits and others frustrated by its limitations.

Xbox's challenge is to ensure that the entire community does not miss out on gaming opportunities due to console limitations.

The discussion around the Xbox Series S emphasizes the importance of considering both the needs of developers and gamers in console design.

Transcripts

Xbox needs to change and they got to do

it quick what's up y'all I'm Ry this is

my channel Xbox ready where we talk

about Xbox stuff the latest news rumors

pretty much anything I want to talk

about as long as it's about Xbox in some

way and today we're going to be

discussing how Xbox's most controversial

decision this generation is once again

coming back to haunt them and no believe

it or not we're not going to be talking

about how Xbox is shipping their games

over to PS5 now instead we are going to

be talking about the most controversial

console on the market the Xbox series s

now our poor little Series S that little

guy back there has been getting a lot of

flak since it released back in 2020 and

criticism of the series s has once again

ramped up thanks to breakout hit from

game science black myth wuk Kong this

game has been a highly anticipated title

for a lot of people out there and we've

known for a while that black myth wasn't

going to be launching at the same time

on Xbox as its other platform

counterparts game science a month or two

back said that they were having trouble

optimizing the game for the Xbox

platform and Microsoft made some Veiled

Threat about oh we don't know about like

the deals that our other platform Rivals

have with game science we can't comment

on that but we're working hard to bring

this game over to Xbox so fans can play

it fast forward to now this game is out

and people really really like it when it

launched it was apparently buggy as hell

on PC but other than that it's getting

very strong reviews and breaking all

sorts of records for concurrent player

count and has left a lot of Xbox owners

feeling like they're missing out they're

getting fomo and new rumors regarding

the the Xbox version of blackm myth

Wukong aren't helping because apparently

the Xbox version of black myth is

delayed indefinitely due to a memory

League error which causes crashes and

apparently FS the consoles as well and

because of that the game hasn't been

able to pass Xbox's certification

process and no one knows when they're

going to be able to figure it out now a

lot of people are taking this news and

saying aha so it's not a series s

problem it's a Memory leak problem but

the lack of memory in the series s has

been identified as a problem for other

games in the past so while no one

involved has come out and blamed the

series s specifically in the situation

like I don't know warhorse it's still a

possibility that this is sort of the

series s's fault with that being said

black myth Wukong is representing a very

unique challenge for Xbox with balers

Gate 3 the problem was that they

couldn't get split screen working on the

series s which means that the game

wouldn't have feature parody between the

X and S versions Microsoft was able to

say you know what okay drop split screen

on the series s and just make sure that

the game ships onto our platform as long

as a game runs fine on the series s and

X that's okay but with black myth it's

not about features working on the X and

not working on the S it's a performance

thing it's a game crashing thing it's a

Memory thing which means that Microsoft

Xbox they would have to bend their rules

even further if they wanted to get this

game on their platform they would

probably have to make it so where this

game is available on the series X and

not on the series s if they really can't

get it to work out which would not be a

great look if you went out and bought a

series Series S thinking that you'd be

able to play any series X game and of

course critics of the series s are

taking this and running with it again I

saw an article that was like Jim Ryan

was right about the series s the entire

time and now you're probably thinking

that I'm going to come on here and

either make a defense or a case for the

series s or be super critical of the

series s but I've already done those

kinds of videos in the past now this

video I'm making to remind people about

a couple of things this whole thing

obviously is not a great look for Xbox

but it is far and away from the first

time that a console has been blamed for

holding back video games let's travel

back in time for a second back to 2015

almost 10 years ago believe it or not in

May of 2015 I had just turned 22 I

barely had any money in my bank account

but on my birthday I opened up the Xbox

digital store and I was like you know

what I'm going to treat myself I'm going

to buy a game for myself and that game

was The Witcher 3 wild Hunt it ended up

being one of my favorite games of all

time I loved it so much that my wife won

Christmas bought me replicas of geralt

Steel and silver swords the very same

ones that you see behind me right now

The Witcher 3 holds a special place in a

lot of Gamers Hearts but despite that

you want to know what one of the major

stories and narrative surrounding The

Witcher 3 was when it released back in

2015 that it was downgraded severely

from what we initially saw at its

gameplay reveal because of video game

consoles consoles held this game back

consoles destroyed the potential of this

game that could have been a once in

a-lifetime experience CD project red

came out and they were like yes we are

confirming that in order to get this

game running on consoles we had to

downgrade it a little bit we feel bad

about it but they also said without the

console version of The Witcher 3 the

game wouldn't exist as we know it now

consoles are just too popular and they

wouldn't have made enough money if they

didn't try to reach out to a broader

audience when I was playing this game

back in 2015 I was like this is dope

it's a awesome I love the story I love

the world I wasn't sitting there banging

my fist on the table saying uh what

could have been these damn Xboxes and

PlayStation 4s they're ruining

everything consoles are in a way always

going to be holding back games from

their full potential but if not for

consoles we would have to spend a bunch

of money on PCS building them buying

them pre-built whatever and some people

really want to do that some people want

to buy multiple consoles have a PC spend

their money on stupid monitor

configurations guilty but not everyone

wants to do that and here's the other

reminder that I'm going to give people

whether we like it or not Xbox's

strategy right now is to appeal to a

broader audience much like CD project

red back when they were developing the

console version of The Witcher 3 they've

recognized okay there is a market of

people who do not give a damn about

playing games at 4K resolution at the

highest frame rate they just want a

console that out the box will run the

game no extra setup no extra fuss and

they want it cheap now I'm not saying

that doesn't come with its growing pains

because they already have an existing

fan base who does care about graphics

and frame rate and all that other stuff

I personally don't mind Xbox widening in

their net cering to the more casual

crowd with the series s or even with

Xbox cloud gaming and these new Amazon

Fire Sticks but I think they got to do a

better job of balancing it going forward

and setting expectations for both new

fans and existing ones I see that they

were trying to balance it at the

beginning of this generation by saying

hey we have the world's most powerful

console with the Xbox series X if you

are real serious Xbox gamer bu the

series X if you don't really care about

top-of-the-line resolution and frame

rate you can go ahead and buy the series

s it may not look as good but it'll play

all the same games and have all the same

features which as we've seen isn't

exactly true and if people want to play

on the series s that's no problem to me

but as much as I hate to admit it it's

starting to seem like the series s is

dragging things down for people who

bought a series X wanting a

top-of-the-line experience more and more

and more Xbox fans are getting excited

for these games especially the first

party ones that are on the horizon but

then towards the end of the development

cycle right before these games are about

to launch the studios are like oh by the

way we couldn't get 60 FPS on this game

and some games I think fans are willing

to forgive that they're willing to

overlook it like with hellblade too cuz

they were like okay this game in terms

of like the realism in terms of the

quality of the graphics in terms of how

the game is presented in that kind of

cinematic mode yeah I'm sure I'll let it

slide but with games like Starfield with

upcoming games like AOW they're coming

out saying oh yeah we can only get 30

and that's about it I think that's all

you really need no because chances are

if you bought a series X you were

expecting most games to be 60 not 30 60

was the bare minimum it's almost as if

Xbox and the studios are prioritizing

the series F optimization for the game

and then saying okay once you figure

that out we can try to upscale it or

whatever for the series X when it should

be the other way around as someone who

games primarily on the Xbox series X

someone who bought it at full price I

think people like me and others like me

out there were tired of hearing locked

atad 30fps on consoles it's 2024 almost

2025 we need these games coming out at

60 we don't need them launching and then

6 months later getting a patch like with

Starfield and redfall and all sorts of

other games no Xbox should be a little

bit more flexible say Okay prioritize

the series X version of the game and if

we can't really make it work on the

series s we're going to have to be

upfront and honest about that it is a

very complicated issue though people try

to paint it as this black and white

thing oh all developers hate the series

s universally hate it but I'm lucky

enough to have a lot of friends who work

on the development side I've talked to

some devs who yeah they they're not too

crazy about the series s the last time I

did a video about this I got a lot of

anonymous opinions that were quite

favorable about the series s but what I

haven't really done is bring in someone

who spent a lot of time playing games on

the series s so I'm going to do that

right now and we got Haley back that is

right back by popular demand y'all let

me know in the comments how much y'all

liked Haley now Haley you're probably

wondering why I have you on this video

in the first place I am wondering that

yes so how many how many hours do you

think you've spent playing on your Xbox

series

s how many hours I don't know I would

say over a 100 hours over a 100 okay

maybe over 200 hours over 200 hours so

far yeah cuz it's interesting cuz I

remember when we got the series s you

wanted it to play one specific game yeah

and the option was oh well you can just

play it on my PS5 but you'll have to

like move it back and forth or or we

could get you like a cheaper Xbox a

series s and you can play it and for

some reason that seemed a lot more

appealing to you what was your thought

process at the time of wanting to play

this game on the series s versus the

PlayStation 5 we already had uh so when

you were first telling me about the

series s something that was really

important to me was being able to like

transport it from room to room and take

it to the living room or the bedroom or

wherever um sorry one

second when you you were first telling

me about the series as it sounded

appealing because it wasn't going to be

as big and bulky as the PS5 uh you said

it would be fairly compact you had the

series X at the time and you said you

know it would be quite a bit smaller

than that so that definitely sold me um

you know I had one or two games that I

knew I was going to play a lot of on

this console and so it seemed like the

perfect compact console for me to play

these games on when you were playing

your Series S on these two games that

you really wanted to play and you're

putting in the hundreds of hours at any

point where you're like this is

unplayable or it looks like crap or I

like this is just donkey doooo No in

fact I almost immediately upon starting

to play on the series s i preferred it

to the other consoles that I had been

playing at the time so Disney dream

light Valley is one of my all-time

favorite games I've played yeah

literally hundreds of hours of that game

um since it first came about since it

first launched and I started playing it

on my switch and I did notice a lot of

issues with you know the loading time

and the graphics and you know the more

effort I put into the game and the more

I collected and the more I you know did

in the game you know the less and less

the graphics held up uh and I'd always

had that issue with Animal Crossing as

well and I was like ah this is so

annoying and then I feel like my life

changed when when I got the series s

because it just took away those issues

completely it runs so smoothly on there

I've put in hundreds of more hours into

the game and the series s changed my

life that's going to be the title of

this video I'm calling it right now I

mean it's kind of true what if I told

you that the series s is actually as

much as you love it one of the most

controversial things to happen in gaming

over the past couple of years why there

is a lot of people out there that say

that the series s is holding back gaming

that it's hamstringing games in the same

way I kind of brought you on for the

Amazon Fire stick thing to get your

opinion about it I thought it would be

cool to get your perspective about the

series s right just like the less

experienced Gamers perspective on the

series S I get it I get it I am a very

experienced coach gamer and that's about

it I would never think of it from that

perspective of from a game development

perspective of having to take you know

all these different consoles into

account you know in my limited gaming

world I'm just thinking oh this one game

is coming out and if they say it's going

to go on all of these consoles then it's

just going to work now would you say the

series s was approachable to you like it

definitely seem so when you had the

option to play on a PlayStation 5 and

you were like n I'd rather have this

other thing yeah it definitely was I

think PC gaming definitely intimidates

me I think it's just like a limitation

that I have for myself like I don't if I

don't need it then I don't want it is

kind of my perspective on a lot of

things if I don't need this big fancy

machine because I'm only you know using

this for a couple of different things

I'll just go with that if you were to

kind of be like okay cozy games I'm

going to like go beyond that would you

feel like you want to upgrade to a PC or

um the beef of your Xbox a series X or

do you think you're just content to ride

with the S I would just want to keep

trying with the series s and see like if

you know if there was a game that I

wanted to play where I was concerned

about the graphics holding up or this or

that then I would try it I would want to

continue trying it on the series s I am

taken out of it when the graphics like

don't look beautiful I think that's the

only thing that bugs me like anything

glitchy or like oh I hate when I'm the

main purpose of one of these games is to

like decorate your space like decorate

the town and you're you have the ability

to collect all these items and I put

them all out and then I'm walking from

area to area and it's

like like things are just like pop like

popping up and they're all Pixy I hate

that but I avoid that with the series s

so once again it looks like that both

things can be true when it comes to

Arguments for and against the series s

there are a lot of people like Haley out

there that really enjoy their experience

and they don't really think about the

other stuff about frame rates about how

gaming is being held back by the lack of

memory and all that and there are other

people out there that are frustrated

that they can't play games like black

myth Wukong because of a rumored issue

with the series S I think Xbox is kind

of on to something in regards to this

whole oh let's make a console that is

approachable for people who aren't

really as into games as our hardcore

audience or maybe they're new to video

game consoles entirely I think there is

Merit in building up that audience and

Community but I think they need to do a

better job of rewarding that hardcore

player base that they've cultivated over

the past 20 years and making sure that

the entire Xbox Community doesn't miss

out on any more opportunities anyways

guys that's all the Xbox stuff I have to

talk about today thanks so much for

joining me for another edition of Xbox

ready if you made it this far into the

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we'll see you in the next video