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[Heisenberg007]

"It's one of the reasons we're coming out on PC first"

"So, it's one of the reasons we're coming out on PC first. There's a lot of optimisations we need to do before we release on the Xbox. But yeah, Xbox Series S is a challenge." Junior states in an interview at Gamescom 2024 late last month. Junior also provided insight into what some of the focus has been during ongoing closed beta tests, and stated that a lot of time has already been spent making sure the game runs on all manner of machines with different hardware specs.

"Unreal does a lot of the work for us in some ways. What we're more doing is optimisation of assets, and using various technologies, be it FSR or something else, to replicate frames. We want the game to look stunning on high-end, whether you have a 3070 or a 4090, but we also want it to look good... I don't think we've released our min-spec yet, but y'know powerful cards from a few years ago should be able to run the game. It should look good - it won't be able to leverage the ultra-spec options, but it'll still look nice."

However, given the ambitious level of scale the game is going for, we asked Junior if it'll still demand a lot from lower-spec machines, even with all the work done on optimisation. His response was optimistic. " Yeah, yeah it does. But it will still perform well on hardware that's years and years old. We'll be able to do it!"

Bringing Dune Awakening to the Xbox Series S will be a "challenge", according to Funcom chief product officer

Chief Product Officer at Funcom Scott Junior speaks on the task of bringing Dune Awakening - a stunning and technically advanced game - over to weaker hardware.

www.vg247.com

 

[TheRaidenPT]

I'm really worried about Series S lasting the whole generation at this point, and even more so I'm worried about the users that are actively using it on a day to day basis.

Funny that you just mentioned this about Dune: Awakening as I was just reading about another game delay on Xbox as well, it was about Enotria: The Last Song.

We understand how disappointing this news is to the Xbox community. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts and the hard work of our dedicated team, we’ve encountered challenges that have delayed our release on the Xbox platform. We want to emphasize that this is not a decision we’ve made lightly.

We apologize for any disappointment this may cause and sincerely thank you for your understanding and patience. As a self-published indie studio, your support means everything to us, and we are dedicated to bringing Enotria to as many players as possible.

We thank you for your continued support and understanding. We cannot wait to see you dive into the game on September 19th, 2024 on PC and PlayStation 5!

Source:


But then again here's a quick reminder about the discussion we been having since 2020:

 

[bundylove]

kevboard whats your take on this?

 

[StereoVsn]

That’s probably why there are some solid rumors of Xbox Next launching in 2026.

Even if they do a handheld, that will have more usable RAM.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

secret deals
Xbox tax
asshole devs
media bias
tools are not ready

 

[thismeinteil]

Dammit. Sony money hatted another one.

 

[Heisenberg007]

That’s probably why there are some solid rumors of Xbox Next launching in 2026.

Even if they do a handheld, that will have more usable RAM.

At this point, I think that rumor/plan will just fade away with time. Xbox will not launch a new console. They are clearly on the path to becoming a third-party publisher. And third-party publishers do not have consoles.

 

[Bloobs]

 

[Draugoth]

Series S is one of the worst consoles ever conceived. It was made only to piss of developers.

 

[DannyDanger]

So crazy how many Jim Ryan was right moments this Gen has had.

I just wish he applied that foresight to Concord

 

[Skifi28]

Series S is one of the worst consoles ever conceived. It was made only to piss of developers.

A gimped GPU alone would have been fine, you can always optimize around that even if the results aren't attractive. But, they had to take the piss with the memory of all things...

 

[Herbspiceguy]

It's a challenge for Funcom to release a good game.

 

[StereoVsn]

At this point, I think that rumor/plan will just fade away with time. Xbox will not launch a new console. They are clearly on the path to becoming a third-party publisher. And third-party publishers do not have consoles.

Maybe a surface Xbox “console” that will allow people to play both PC and Xbox game (for BC basically).

 

[ChiefDada]

secret deals
Xbox tax
asshole devs
media bias
tools are not ready

 

[Heisenberg007]

Maybe a surface Xbox “console” that will allow people to play both PC and Xbox game (for BC basically).

My guess is that Xbox will license hardware and allow other companies to make their own handheld PCs that they could slap an Xbox or Microsoft Gaming logo on.

That's about it.

The main store would be Steam with an option to use the Microsoft Store (which no one will use). Those devices will just be like Asus Rog Ally with an Xbox / Microsoft logo on it. Microsoft/Xbox, the company, will have nothing much to do with it, and they will continue focusing on making games and putting them PCs, PlayStations, and Nintendo consoles.

 

[nowhat]

tools are not ready

Oh just you wait until the replies start pouring into this thread, I'm sure they are.

 

[TheRaidenPT]

So crazy how many Jim Ryan was right moments this Gen has had.

I just wish he applied that foresight to Concord

He did sign the Bungie deal too.. just saying..

Oh just you wait until the replies start pouring into this thread, I'm sure they are.

If by tools he means DX12.. let's just see Windows vs Linux game benchmarks...

 

[DannyDanger]

He did sign the Bungie deal too.. just saying..

Yea, good point. Trash

 

[Pop]

Hey Xbox players love 30fps now

I'm sure they are fine with 1080p/25ish fps

 

[Darkkahn]

Things are going great @ Team Xbox!

 

[analog_future]

On one hand, Series S is becoming more underpowered by the day.

On the other hand, Series S is by far Microsoft's best selling console.



Difficult position Microsoft has put themselves in.

 

[DaGwaphics]

It does seem like things are getting rough for the XSS. It's a solid little machine, but a lot of noise about that 10GB at this point.

This might be why they roll the dice on a next-gen Xbox real soon. Even if they go with the Expensive + handheld option that has been rumored, they can probably get the ram up to 16GB like the Steam Deck at minimum.

 

[kevboard]

kevboard whats your take on this?

makes me happy. you should know that. the Series S does the job I want it to do "there's a lot of optimisations we need to do" is music to my ears. that means if I'll ever play it on my PC or PS5 Pro (not sure tho as it doesn't look all that appealing to me) the Series S served as the baseline that ensures the other systems also benefit from the optimisations made.

just like Warframe benefitted from the optimisations Panic Button did on the Switch port. (20% frametime improvements on the CPU load alone iirc; which got then backported to the other versions)

the Series S is the jesus of game consoles, it suffers on our behalf for the sins of game devs. may it save us from low resolutions and FSR artifacts!

 

[Little Chicken]

It's really great to see that Xbox Series S is challenging developers to be their best and learn new things along the way.

Xbox Series S improving developer skills lifts up the whole industry

 

[Bloobs]

It does seem like things are getting rough for the XSS. It's a solid little machine, but a lot of noise about that 10GB at this point.

This might be why they roll the dice on a next-gen Xbox real soon. Even if they go with the Expensive + handheld option that has been rumored, they can probably get the ram up to 16GB like the Steam Deck at minimum.

 

[Pop]

It's really great to see that Xbox Series S is challenging developers to be their best and learn new things along the way.

Xbox Series S improving developer skills lifts up the whole industry

This might be Phil

 

[Nonehxc]

makes me happy. you should know that. the Series S does the job I want it to do "there's a lot of optimisations we need to do" is music to my ears. that means if I'll ever play it on my PC or PS5 Pro (not sure tho as it doesn't look all that appealing to me) the Series S served as the baseline that ensures the other systems also benefit from the optimisations made.

just like Warframe benefitted from the optimisations Panic Button did on the Switch port. (20% frametime improvements on the CPU load alone iirc; which got then backported to the other versions)

the Series S is the jesus of game consoles, it suffers on our behalf for the sins of game devs. may it save us from low resolutions and FSR artifacts!

Xbox Series Savior

 

[reinking]

makes me happy. you should know that. the Series S does the job I want it to do "there's a lot of optimisations we need to do" is music to my ears. that means if I'll ever play it on my PC or PS5 Pro (not sure tho as it doesn't look all that appealing to me) the Series S served as the baseline that ensures the other systems also benefit from the optimisations made.

just like Warframe benefitted from the optimisations Panic Button did on the Switch port. (20% frametime improvements on the CPU load alone iirc; which got then backported to the other versions)

the Series S is the jesus of game consoles, it suffers on our behalf for the sins of game devs. may it save us from low resolutions and FSR artifacts!

 

[Stooky]

makes me happy. you should know that. the Series S does the job I want it to do "there's a lot of optimisations we need to do" is music to my ears. that means if I'll ever play it on my PC or PS5 Pro (not sure tho as it doesn't look all that appealing to me) the Series S served as the baseline that ensures the other systems also benefit from the optimisations made.

just like Warframe benefitted from the optimisations Panic Button did on the Switch port. (20% frametime improvements on the CPU load alone iirc; which got then backported to the other versions)

the Series S is the jesus of game consoles, it suffers on our behalf for the sins of game devs. may it save us from low resolutions and FSR artifacts!

‘compromises’

 

[ChiefDada]

Don't leave this thread without shedding a tear for poor Colt

 

[bundylove]

makes me happy. you should know that. the Series S does the job I want it to do "there's a lot of optimisations we need to do" is music to my ears. that means if I'll ever play it on my PC or PS5 Pro (not sure tho as it doesn't look all that appealing to me) the Series S served as the baseline that ensures the other systems also benefit from the optimisations made.

just like Warframe benefitted from the optimisations Panic Button did on the Switch port. (20% frametime improvements on the CPU load alone iirc; which got then backported to the other versions)

the Series S is the jesus of game consoles, it suffers on our behalf for the sins of game devs. may it save us from low resolutions and FSR artifacts!

What you are refering to is that the series s forces devs to actually do their job and create better more optimized engines to reduce impact on hardware .
And not rely on raw grunt of a machine to power through so bad coding. Which in rerurn benefits the stronger hardware by being able to push games at max fps or rez.

Ok here you are absolutely right and i am with you on that. We have seen from time to time how lazy devs juat blame the hardware and not themselves.

But this also creates longer dev cycles and delays. Which in return makes devs give up and ultimately cancel the game on series x as well as they dont have the money or resources for the series s optimization.

AD to the fact that the series sells poorly compared to the competition and soon devs will skip xbox all together.

Again i understand what you mean and i sympatize but i dont think its fair to the consumer.
At the very least xbox should help these devs out to optimize their games on xbox but they dont even do that.

 

[RetroGamingUK]

Don't leave this thread without shedding a tear for poor Colt

I’m assuming these hardcore Xbox nuts developed their love of Xbox during the 360 era?

There’s no way anyone could be passionate about the One/Series generations.

 

[tmlDan]

Xbox is taking so many unnecessary L's

On one hand, Series S is becoming more underpowered by the day.

On the other hand, Series S is by far Microsoft's best selling console.



Difficult position Microsoft has put themselves in.

I'd replace difficult position with "really fucking stupid decision to even make a series s"

 

[Xtib81]

The sooner everybody ditches this console, the better.

 

[FewRope]

I’m assuming these hardcore Xbox nuts developed their love of Xbox during the 360 era?

There’s no way anyone could be passionate about the One/Series generations.

They are grasping to the memories of 360

 

[kevboard]

That's a One S... uncultured swine! Don't disrespect my religion! we Series S Whiteness don't take lightly to blasphemy!

 

[RaZoR No1]

Just put the Slider from 4k to 1080/720P ...
Easy peasy

 

[reinking]

That's a One S... uncultured swine! Don't disrespect my religion! we Series S Whiteness don't take lightly to blasphemy!

Don't blame me. Blame Copilot. Another MS product that does not want to acknowledge the mistake.

 

[Tams]

I'm really worried about Series S lasting the whole generation

I'm really worried about Series S Xbox lasting the whole generation

 

[kevboard]

Don't blame me. Blame Copilot. Another MS product that does not want to acknowledge the mistake.

 

[bundylove]

Kamala....stop stealing my identity

 

[jroc74]

The hits just keep on coming huh....

 

[jm89]

Jez was right. We are all shocked.

 

[Ebrietas]

My guess is that Xbox will license hardware and allow other companies to make their own handheld PCs that they could slap an Xbox or Microsoft Gaming logo on.

That's about it.

The main store would be Steam with an option to use the Microsoft Store (which no one will use). Those devices will just be like Asus Rog Ally with an Xbox / Microsoft logo on it. Microsoft/Xbox, the company, will have nothing much to do with it, and they will continue focusing on making games and putting them PCs, PlayStations, and Nintendo consoles.

And just like the official Xbox console, nobody will buy the off brand version either. It offers nothing.
People really need to let go of MS as a hardware entity. It's over.

 

[Topher]

Don't blame me. Blame Copilot. Another MS product that does not want to acknowledge the mistake.

The irony of Copilot being confused by Xbox console names

 

[Drunkensamurai]

Jez was right. We are all shocked.

lol I can’t stand him and Destin, also Paris.

 

[foamdino]

There's a mis-apprehension that "just a bit more optimisation" by "lazy/money-hatted devs" will solve everything for Series S from some folks.

10Gb of split (and slow) ram compared to 16Gb of unified (and consistently fast) ram is a big difference to deal with.

At some point devs would have to optimise to the point where they are cutting systems/features out from the Series S version to make it fit (see Larian removing split-screen). As MS has a policy of functional parity, not only with PS5, but across Series devices, the devs have to navigate these difficult choices of what to cut out to make games fit on the S machine.

At some point it's completely reasonable for devs to say "if we cut any more we're no longer making the game we want to make, so no we'll just release on PC/PS5 and start earning and see if the funds come in to justify spending time on the XBox port"

I doubt you'll hear much explicitly around this (as devs and publishers want to stay in MS good graces), but optimisation of the kind required to make games work with parity on the S is not free and the ROI obviously isn't there given that most XBox customers don't actually buy games anymore, they just expect all games to be on gamepass...

Expect to see more delays of games (and out-right cancellations or skipping of XBox) as the generation continues (as was predicted back in 2019-2020 by some of us).

The fact that MS has sold more S than X leaves them in a very sticky situation as effectively the only way out is to kill this gen early (hence the 2026 next-gen rumours are reasonable predictions - that's if MS bother with any hw again)

 

[foamdino]

oh and it seems XBox don't respond to devs, why should they bother

 

[demigod]

This might be Phil

Damn, i thought it was Greenturd

 

[Tiago Rodrigues]

MS is stuck with that console as long as they make games for the Series X as well. They basically tied these two consoles together and if they cancel the Series S game releases that’s probably ground for lawsuits right?

The entire marketing campaign for this gen was the two entry points and how all games would release in both consoles.