Why Xbox Should Continue Supporting Xbox Series S, But Limit It to Select Games

Upon its initial release, the Xbox Series S distinguished itself in the gaming market by presenting an exceptional value compared to its rivals. Priced lower than a Nintendo Switch, players gained immediate access to a broad array of the latest AAA titles and the ever-expanding Game Pass library. In some regions, the Series S was even the sole next-gen console available due to supply chain shortages of essential components, leading to a surge in sales and welcoming a new audience to Xbox’s stellar library of games.

However, in recent months, Xbox’s sales figures have notably declined, particularly in contrast to the somewhat criticized Xbox One. Several factors contribute to this downturn, most prominently the limited exclusive game offerings and Xbox’s strategic pivot toward cross-platform releases. This approach has led to the creation of a parity clause for the Xbox Series S, mandating that all games developed for the platform be fully functional on both the Series S and the more powerful Series X. This stipulation has proven to be a contentious subject that Xbox remains adamant in maintaining.

Xbox’s Commitment to the Series S

Phil Spencer Emphasizes Continued Support for the Series S

Throughout its journey, Xbox has maintained a clear commitment to ensuring that all players, irrespective of whether they own the Series S or Series X, enjoy a uniform gaming experience. Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, has consistently advocated for this vision. In a recent podcast interview with Destin Legarie, he elaborated on the importance of the Series S parity clause, stating that support for the console would remain strong as long as it continued to be relevant in the market.

Spencer highlighted the emergence of handheld PCs like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, which have made the Series S increasingly significant. He noted:

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.

Further emphasizing the console’s capabilities, Spencer shared his experience playing Indiana Jones and the Great Circle on the Series S, asserting that it indeed delivers a comparable gaming experience, affirming that the Series S is “definitely capable of playing current-generation games in a great way.” Thus, it appears that corporate backing for the less powerful Series S is more robust than ever, which is great news for early adopters.

This commitment is particularly logical in light of the capabilities of most handheld PCs and the anticipated Switch 2, which are on par with the PS4 Pro, suggesting that game developers are likely to consider this when creating future titles.

Challenges Faced by Developers with the Series S

Baldur’s Gate 3: An Example of Development Struggles

While the Series S presents an attractive gateway to top-tier Xbox titles, it is not without its drawbacks.Developers have often expressed frustration regarding the challenges of creating content for the Series S while maintaining parity with the Series X. A salient instance is the launch of Baldur’s Gate 3, which faced significant technical hurdles that delayed its release on Xbox due to the need for optimization on the Series S.

Larian Studios encountered difficulties implementing split-screen co-op for the Series S, which ultimately led to the postponement of the Series X launch as well. In an unprecedented move, Xbox permitted the studio to forgo the split-screen feature altogether to ensure the game could finally release. This represented an exception to the established rules and, notably, benefited consumers by bringing one of 2023’s most acclaimed titles to the Xbox platform.

As XBLA continues to navigate its development landscape, it may be prudent for Xbox to reconsider its rigid stance on the Series S to avoid hindering player experiences in the future.

Re-evaluating Game Exclusivity for the Series X

Prioritizing Quality Over Parity

While it’s essential that Xbox does not entirely eliminate support for the Series S, it’s becoming increasingly critical for the company to encourage developers to find clarity in their development process. Under certain circumstances, when developers encounter substantial hurdles in ensuring game compatibility, Xbox may need to relax its stringent rules. This is particularly relevant for titles like Baldur’s Gate 3, where the disparity boils down to a feature that, while desirable, isn’t essential.

At present, it appears that upcoming first-party titles for 2025 are not likely to experience performance issues on either console. This is promising for players primarily using the Series S for new Game Pass releases. Still, given the ongoing challenges faced by many third-party developers who have openly voiced their concerns, it’s only a matter of time before a new title might require Xbox to reconsider its approach. Community expectations are high, and ideally, Xbox will continue prioritizing consumer needs in future decisions.

Sources: Destin/YouTube, Skycaptin5/YouTube

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