In recent years, the gaming community has grown accustomed to the push and pull of game releases. Delays, technical challenges, and platform-specific issues are all par for the course. Enter the curious case of Baldur’s Gate 3, the GOTY frontrunner from Larian Studios, which has shone a spotlight on the challenges and considerations surrounding next-gen consoles, especially the Xbox Series S.
After talks of Microsoft’s insistence on performance parity on both the Xbox Series S and X, Larian Studios confirmed that Baldur’s Gate 3 would be making its way to the latest Xbox consoles by the end of the year.
A tweet from the studio’s founder, Swen Vincke, following significant discussion with Xbox’s Phil Spencer, revealed the plans. Gamers rejoiced at the announcement but also met it with a hint of disappointment. Joy, because the long-awaited game is finally making its way to the Xbox platform, and disappointment due to the revelation that the Series S version would be missing a coveted if deal-breaking feature – split-screen co-op.
All improvements will be there, with split-screen coop on Series X. Series S will not feature split-screen coop, but will also include cross-save progression between Steam and Xbox Series.
— Swen Vincke @where? (@LarAtLarian) August 24, 2023
At the heart of this problem is the performance challenge that the Series S posed for such a demanding feature. As it stands, split-screen functionality requires the console to render graphics, physics, AI, and other gameplay elements in two simultaneous areas, a task deemed too taxing for the Series S’s hardware, despite its capabilities.
For those not in the know, Microsoft introduced the Xbox Series S as a more affordable yet less powerful counterpart to the Series X. This meant compromises, particularly in demanding technical features. Microsoft has always expressed their commitment to supporting this system, despite its limitations. However, the Baldur’s Gate 3 situation has shown that as games grow more technically demanding, difficult decisions and concessions may need to be made.
This presents a challenge to Microsoft’s stance on feature parity. As per the tech giant’s published rules, games on both Series X and S should offer identical game modes. However, the split-screen challenge posed by Baldur’s Gate 3 might be the catalyst to change this directive. Michael Douse, Larian’s director of publishing, previously highlighted that the technical challenges, and not exclusivity deals, were the reasons for the delay on Xbox Series consoles. Douse reiterated that the hurdle of achieving split-screen on the Series S was significant. Yet, given the game’s popularity, it appears that Microsoft has been willing to bend the rules.
Thus, this begs the question, is it because Baldur’s Gate 3 is so popular that it might end up winning the Game of the Year award over The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom? What about Halo Infinite, which dropped split-screen co-op mid-cycle? Was it also because of the Xbox Series S’s hardware? Don’t forget, a developer was effectively silenced last year for calling out the potato GPU of the Xbox Series S, so was he right all along?
One can only imagine just how much better Halo Infinite would’ve been received had 343 Industries only had to focus on making the game work on the Xbox Series X and the PC – not the noticeably less powerful Xbox Series S. It’s already showing signs of recovery on Steam but the damage has already been done.
Of course, you’ll never hear 343 confirm this suspicion, but Baldur’s Gate 3’s release on the Xbox Series X has effectively planted the seeds.
For what it’s worth, Microsoft is right to budge and make a so-far sole exception for Baldur’s Gate 3. Larian Studios’ magnum opus is one of the most-played games on Steam and has topped the charts on Sony’s PlayStation Store, even though it’s only available for pre-order. While the split-screen omission on the Xbox Series S will hurt the console, it at least proves that Microsoft is willing to bend if not break the rules. Baldur’s Gate 3 is just the tip of the iceberg, and other games could face similar challenges on the Series S, potentially leading to more delays.
So, where does this leave us consumers? If Baldur’s Gate 3’s situation is an indication, it suggests that, as the current-generation console matures, and games push the technical boundaries further, Microsoft may have to revisit and even revise its stance on feature parity between the Series X and Series S. With many players and developers echoing similar sentiments, it remains to be seen how this plays out. As games continue to evolve and demand more from hardware, the industry will need to navigate these waters carefully, ensuring that the gaming community’s expectations are met without compromising the essence of the game.
For now, CRPG fans can rejoice knowing that Baldur’s Gate 3 will be available on all current-gen platforms by the end of the year.
