At launch, theXbox Series Sprovided a value proposition unlike any of its competitors. People could pick up a Series S for less than a Nintendo Switch and have access to all the latest triple-A titles, as well as the ever-expanding Game Pass library. It was also, in certain regions, the only next-gen console available thanks to the shortage of necessary components. So, it’s no surprise that, for a time, the Series S sold well and introduced a new wave of players to Xbox’s incredible back catalog.
However, since then,Xbox’s sales have plummeted, especially when compared to even those of the somewhat maligned Xbox One. This has been due to a number of reasons, namely the lack of exclusives and Xbox’s newfound desire to make all of its games crossplatform releases.This has made the Xbox Series S parity clause, which states that every game coming to Xbox must be feature complete on both the Series X and S, a complex and divisive talking pointthat Xbox is unsurprisingly unwilling to back down on.
Xbox Wants To Keep Putting Everything On The Series S
Phil Spencer Says It’s More Important Than Ever To Do So
Xbox has always been clear about wanting all of its players, whether they’re on Series S or X, to have the same experience. Phil Spencer has championed this idea from the start and continues to today. In an interview withDestin Legarieon his podcast,Spencer discussed the Xbox Series S parity clause and wanting to continue supporting the Series S as long as it’s a relevant console. Interestingly, Spencer’s response focused on how therise of handheld PCssuch as the Steam Deck and the ROG Ally have made the Series S more important than ever before. He explained:
I actually think we have a real advantage because we’ve been targeting the Series S for quite a while. So, when we look at a Steam Deck or a ROG Ally or something, we’ve got this Series S version of the games that’s more tailored to the device specs of a lot of devices that frankly are getting introduced right now.
Spencer went on to explain that he’s been playingIndiana Jones and the Great Circleon the Series S and finds it is a comparable experience. He goes as far as to say that the Series S is “definitely capable of playing current-generation games in a great way.” So,it is safe to assume that support for the less powerful Xbox Series S isn’t going anywhere.
More importantly,it also sounds like Spencer and the folks at Xbox are behind it more than ever before. That’s not a bad thing though, as it means that those who invested in one from the start can continue to enjoy it. Additionally, it is a logical move considering most handheld PCs and the Switch 2 are about as powerful as a PS4 Pro, so developers are likely to keep that in mind going forward.
Developers Are Struggling With The Series S
However, while it’s amazing that the Series S offers an affordable way of accessing thebest AAA Xbox games, there is a downside.Developers have been lamenting howchallenging developing for the Series Scan bewhile offering the same experience as the Series X version since it was first announced. By far the best example of this isBaldur’s Gate 3, which didn’t launch on Xbox initially due to the technical limitations of the Series S. Larian Studios struggled to implement split-screen co-op on the Series S, which forced them to delay the launch on Series X as well.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Co-Op Tested My Real-Life Friendships But Now Is The Only Way I Play
Playing Baldur’s Gate 3 with a group of real-life friends requires some adjusting but can be a blast if you can get through the smack-talking.
Eventually, Xbox had to allow Larian to drop the split-screen co-op on the Series S so that the game could launch at all. This is the only instance of Xbox breaking its own rule, but it clearly came to the benefit of its consumers, as it finally gotBaldur’s Gate 3, one of thebest games of 2023, on the Xbox. It isn’t really clear why this can’t be the case for other developers, butit might be time for Xbox to review its stance on the Series S so that its players don’t have to suffer again.
Some Games Should Be Series X Exclusive
It Would Allow Developers To Focus On Making The Best Game Possible
Xbox should not drop support for the Series S. It needs to push developers to get the Series S and X versions of their games to be the same so that everyone can experience its next-gen games. However,when developers are struggling to get their games working on both consoles, and it means they won’t release them on time, Xbox should drop its strict rules. This is especially true in the case of games likeBaldur’s Gate 3, where the difference between the two versions is a feature that, while important, isn’t strictly necessary.
Nintendo & Xbox Are Already Leaving PlayStation In The Dust For 2025
While Xbox and Nintendo are set to have a phenomenal 2025 thanks to new hardware and exciting games, PlayStation may have its worst year yet.
Fortunately, at least publically,Xbox’s 2025 first-party gamesaren’t struggling to run on both consoles. This bodes well for Xbox Series S users, especially those who use it to predominantly play day-one releases on Game Pass. However, that may not always be the case, and a lot of third-party developers have been complaining about it for years. It is only a matter of time before another game likeBaldur’s Gate 3requiresXboxto drop its restrictions, and hopefully, it once again makes the right choice to benefit its users.
