In a recent chat, Xbox head honcho Phil Spencer weighed in on the Xbox Series S, shedding light on the perks of developing for this particular console. While you can enjoy many top-tier Xbox games on both the Series X and S, there’s been chatter among developers about the unique challenges that come with tailoring games for the less beefy Series S. It’s intriguing to see Spencer’s perspective on why the Series S has been such a key element for their team.
Phil Spencer Highlights the Xbox Series S as a Strategic Edge
Spencer points toward the rising trend in handheld and less powerful devices as a key area where the Xbox team’s work with the Series S sets them ahead. Although developers have previously noted the hurdles presented by the Series S, Spencer insists it can handle the demands of current games exceptionally well.
During an interview on The Destin Channel, Spencer addressed whether Xbox might relax its parity clause—essentially a rule ensuring games run smoothly on both the Series X and the Series S. His take was pretty insightful: "Right now, I see it quite differently. As handheld PCs and even the Switch 2 emerge, we’re developing games across a broader array of specs, from the battery-powered units to those plugged into the wall," he explained.
"We’ve gained a significant edge because targeting the S for so long has made our games versatile, well-suited for various specs. So, when considering devices like the Steam Deck or ROG Ally, our games are ready for it. The S version matches well with the specs of many new gadgets hitting the market, which I find advantageous."
"The scalability of today’s game engines is impressive. They can stretch from supporting desktops with multi-thousand dollar graphics cards all the way to lower-powered handhelds, and the Series S is pivotal in this."
We’ve witnessed discussions around how to optimize games for the Series S before. A notable instance was when Xbox gamers experienced a delay with Baldur’s Gate 3, due to split-screen co-op issues on the Series S. That hurdle was eventually overcome with help from Microsoft’s engineers, allowing players to dive into what is now heralded as one of the finest Xbox RPGs in recent memory.
Spencer also spoke about playing new generation games, remarking, “I’m experiencing Indiana Jones on the S, and it looks fantastic. It’s more than capable of handling the latest titles with aplomb. Many games will continue supporting various devices, and the Series S spec aligns well with the new devices we’re seeing today."
He concluded by reiterating the importance of the Series S’s design, which balances power and performance effectively—a crucial factor for development teams moving forward.
What are your thoughts on Spencer’s insights? How’s your experience been with the Xbox Series S? Share your thoughts in the comments. And by the way, if you’re adventuring through Indiana Jones’ latest escapades like Spencer, keep an eye out for the upcoming patch that promises to fix those pesky game-breaking bugs.
