Evil West Dev 'Couldn't Guarantee' 60FPS On Xbox Series S, Opted For 30

We tried everything, meaning we took up development time messing around with this weaker console called the series s.
But what you all say, the series s does not add any development time. Oh yes it does and should never have been invented.
And sales show especially over the last month or two, this strategy has not done much to help Xbox climb out of third spot and starting to stagnate, especially outside of the USA.

Has this guy ever heard of:

VRR
120hz/40fps mode

???

Both would offer something of a solution.

Not to mention, dynamic resolution, variable rate shading, FSR 2.0. So many tricks, no excuses.

I just don't buy that this game wouldn't run 60fps, not being rude, it's their engine/skill with the engine (I don't know which engine it's running on) that's the issue here.

Lots of other games run better than this. Yes, it probably requires some work, but the Series S user base is not insignificant, so support it properly!

EDIT
It's Unreal Engine 4?

Come on devs, do a quick search for other games running on UE4, take a look at Gears 5! The Series S can run UE games very well.
I guess with the Series X version running at such a low resolution (for that console anyway) it's indicative of the problems you are having with your game.

@JetmanUK Agreed! They basically didn't have enough time or resources to fully optimize the game, considering they had to develop the darn thing for ancient hardware. I can't wait for devs to finally leave XONE and the PS4 behind.

Honestly, the bigger story here is that the series x has to go as low as 1080p to do 60fps. The thing with the series s is that it's a budget console so you get what you get with it but the series x shouldn't really have to compromise

It's UE4, the same engine that Gears 5 manages to run at 60fps on the One X with a dynamic resolution of up to 4k. I'm not a developer but something seems off about the performance profiles they're putting forward for this game, especially given the recommended PC specs.

The article from xbox dynasty actually goes into some more detail as well regarding the developers thoughts on the XSS holding this gen back. To which he replied: "no, why should it? We are not forced to have our games look the same on XSS as on XSX." He went on to further clarify that he finds the XSS to be a great product. Just thought id add this since we keep hearing devs complain about the XSS

@JetmanUK I would prefer they just unlock the framerate up to 60 Hz.

My TV is VRR but not 120Hz. So when a 120/40 Mode is available, I can't use it despite the fact my TV is perfectly capable of handling VRR at 40 Hz.

It's a great TV; but the lack of 120Hz is a downside - sadly I had to get a TV on a budget. It's a 2021 Vizio MQ7 55"

@Dezzy70 I agree with you.

Again if cyberpunk 2077 can run at 60fps on series s anything can , just lazy developpers , the game runs at 1080p 60 fps on series x it’s clear that the game is not well optimized for this generation. It’s not the series s the problem but the last generation they should stop developing for one s and x .

@Dezzy70 The sales also show over the last 2 years the series s has sold far more than the x. Has especially helped Xbox numbers grow in Japan. Has more than likely gotten Xbox more gamepass subs than the series x…

It really wasn’t that long ago that the series s was a genius master stroke of Microsoft…it being so readily available whilst the series x and ps5 were impossible to get hold of. Remember those days?

I agree the series s is going to hold things back going forward. But the reality of this game is you’re complaining about the series s costing the devs time and resources…when it’s also a cross gen game…
Get some perspective.

And it’s not development time. It’s optimisation time. When games are developed for last gen in mind 2 years in to this current gen, are we really complaining the series s is the thing holding games back?

@Mighty90
Sorry but there are too many on the shelves to count now and in stock online it’s gone 15 plus at each store so impossible to count down.

@Bleachedsmiles
I think it helped with the initial up take on series s due to series x shortages.
But now series x are in stock flooded everywhere and series s, UK anyway and Europe so doesn’t matter now.
Series x you even get a hat, carry case and an old game bundled for free, so they not shifting sales wise at all. No shop gives away stuff, especially at the moment, so they have tons of stock and struggling to shift it.

@Bleachedsmiles with regard to holding things back I would suggest you watch the latest digital Foundry Direct on YouTube (1st 20 minutes or so).

In short they conclude it shouldn't if devs utilise what it offers instead of trying to cram a series X optimised game onto the system.

Of course compromises will need to be made and it seems this is where Dev teams are falling down at the moment. It's more nuanced and technical than that if course but that's the gist.

@uptownsoul got it ignore 50% or there abouts of the current user base on current gen. Sound business advice there glad we have you to advise us. Perhaps you should email Phil and let him know.

Here's the non sarcastic comment. Please watch the latest DF Direct on YouTube to save me a lot of typing and come at this with some facts.

What if and buts are great and all but we have what we have. Which is two consoles that a very capable if developed for their specs.

This game went from a day 1 purchase to “wait for sale” 🙄

@uptownsoul At the same time you have to remember that Xbox game studios, as well as the majority of 3rd party, have opted to release pc versions day 1 - optimising for various specs…from highest to lowest. How often are we hearing complaints at the resources that’s taking? Remove the series s, remove last gen consoles, and they’re still developing to try and get to run on potatoe pcs with equivalent specs to series s today.

@uptownsoul
Totally agree and said it as well on this site
Then got hung out to dry.
Microsoft so far apart from making an amazing console the series x with a couple of good features like quick resume.
Have totally missed the boat and left us hung out to dry when it comes to creating top end AAA games using the full series x power and will never really achieve much for the rest of the generation, apart from putting old games and AA games on a Netflix type service, with probably not one top end critically acclaimed GOTY BOTW, GOWR up there game the whole of the series x life.
It’s not what they want to do or don’t know how to do management wise.
They are getting bashed by a less powerful 6 year old console and by a more expensive console that has more expensive games and of which neither have Game Pass.
Don’t you think the no brains at Microsoft have learnt something yet 😂😂😂

@Dezzy70 lmao no

@Dezzy70 series x? Well not in my area I’m still waiting for a series x

@uptownsoul That goes for every platform. As does the majority being casual gamers.
Publishers go where the money is.

I’m not sure what your point is though?

@y2jarmyofficial
Well maybe a trip to the Europe or the UK would help we have thousands over here unsold gathering dust.
Just goes to show if you can’t get one unfortunately, how Microsoft’s distribution and logistics of placing consoles for sale is absolutely rubbish.
Goes to show another area of their incompetence and to many big wigs with high salaries not doing their job properly.
The Xbox division so needs to change probably more than ever. It’s like no one cares to do their job well.

It does seem rather weird that they could get it to run @60hz but they didnt offer that option cause it dropped a few frames? Surely you offer that as a vrr option, its what vrr is for?
I also think they could have offered a 40hz mode for those with 120hz sets?

That Series S poses a few issues cannot be denied as so many devs have had issues. But for titles that are going to on pc anyway and will need versions that run on low end pc's, it should just be another sku and no more of a challange than the other skus.

@Dezzy70

Microsoft so far apart from making an amazing console the series x with a couple of good features like quick resume.Have totally missed the boat and left us hung out to dry when it comes to creating top end AAA games

Mate, you have my deepest sympathy for the predicament Microsoft has caused you. Here I was thinking that it was f***ing Boris Johnson's and Liz Truss's moraly bankrupt Tory government that hang people out to dry and unable to eat or heat their homes....I've got my priorities totally wrong 😂.
I think Microsoft and the Xbox Series will be all right regardless of how many Xbox consoles are on the shelves in your area.

@Sol4ris
No need for politics really and agree on that one by the way.
Microsoft are a business with Xbox and since my beloved 360 days have done nothing to improve. Simple as that and so far have gone backwards.

@Sol4ris
That includes taking one of the greatest franchises Halo and totally messing it up.
To the point not many gamers care about it and the general public don’t know what it is.
They are all Mario Kart and GOWR etc.
What an arse of a company Microsoft really are.

Every game going on the XSX is also going to PC so will have the ability to run on hardware of various levels. All this extra work be complained about is really just about selecting the optimized settings for the console. Not exactly a time sink. Game optimization is something that all platforms benefit from so are not a cost to any single SKU

No need for politics really and agree on that one by the way

You're all right mate, it's about perspective 😉.

@uptownsoul that was in reply to #16 where you complain that if devs focus on optimising for series s it costs more time and money… neglecting the fact that even without series s in the picture they’re still doing extra work releasing pc day 1 versions

2022 and devs still locking options for user, just let the user choose. Amd fsr 2.1, vrr, 1080p.120. etc 1440.60 4k.30. lazyness all over again. I know we are not ready for 4k60 (for cheap). But 1440.60 should be mandatory + fsr2.1

Or you could put the option in and let the customer decide whether they prefer an unlocked 60fps or locked 30fps experience

I don’t understand the hostility towards the Series S, it’s the perfect console for kids to plug into their 1080p screen in their bedrooms. There are millions of people out there who still don’t have 4K screens and don’t need to spend the extra cash on a console for power they won’t use.

With the cost of living and inflation going through the roof in many places in the world, having a more affordable console is a good thing I think. Plus, it’s an accessible way for people to dip their toes in the Xbox ecosystem if they’ve never owned an Xbox before.

Coding is hard! Stop making us work for 10 minutes on this cute little system!

Meanwhile let's put every customizable option known to man on PC. But screw that Series S.

just put a selection into unlock frame rate then tv users with VRR can benifit

@uptownsoul They have to optimise for pc loads. There’s been countless examples of poorly optimised pc ports…most notoriously Batman. Horizon zero dawn also had a big backlash over its port last year.
Porting to pc is no more as simple as porting to series s - you still have to make sure everything’s working as it should

And then you have compatibility issues to account for through all the various different graphics cards etc

@grumpypotato

When I pay for cheeseburger in McDonald's I don't expect succulent 5 Guys burger

Yes my dude, you got what you have paid for and everyone understands that.
-What you, and, any other customers in the same situation don't expect, is for people who bought a 5 star Michelin meal to say how s**t your burger tastes or is, etc. That's what kicks up the crap storm...D

@uptownsoul

They just make their game & just determine what minimum spec PC can run it...No further optimization needed on PC

In the immortal words of John Mcenroe:
You Can Not be(f***ing)* Serious, with that statement since is stretching the truth past breaking point 🙄.

@Titntin
VRR with my 120hz tv seems to make a positive difference to some of my PS5 games.
It seems to be a great feature and works very well.

If you buy a multiplatform game on a weak console, you take what you get as long as it's playable. It should be common sense that if you buy a platform with a weaker GPU than the Xbox One X, some compromises will need to be made.

With that said, why not offer a performance mode with an adaptive resolution in order to keep performance locked?

@Dezzy70 Of course the Series S version of a game takes up some development time. Enough to significantly delay the release of most games? Probably not. You might not want to hear this, but despite being in third place, Microsoft has only remained as competitive as it has because of the Series S. Take away the Series S, and Microsoft would be selling only a fraction as many units as they are currently.

Microsoft's focus on GamePass and inability to turn out a consistent stream of excellent AAA first-party exclusives is not the fault of the Series S.

It's fine if the Series S isn't for you and you don't mind paying more for a more powerful console, but that's simply not going to be true for everyone. It's fundamentally smart for companies to keep budget consoles out there on the market, especially around the holidays. It's important to remember that not every product needs to be targeted at you to be relevant.

Well I finally decided to click ignore on some peeps because they getting a bit ridiculous now. Whine about Series S when the game is shipping on the VCR XBox One is plain trolling at this point.

This is an Unreal game, and we seen the crazy stuff the Coalition has done with that thing on both, X and S consoles. Then again, not everyone can have the skills of The Coalition.

@munstahunta CP2077 runs at 60 fps/ 900p with dynamic resolution. 900p on a current generation console?

@Tharsman Then you should ignore the devs? They are where the story originates and its not a rediculous position to believe the people who actually make the games.
That some people can take such messaging too far, cannot be denied, but putting your fingers in your ears and pretending views contrary to yours should be blocked makes me wander why you bother interacting with comments at all? Surely we are here to try and understand other points of view as well as espousing our own viewpoint? If you simply want to be patted on the back because you are the only person with a correct view, then interacting with a web comment section is not for you.

@Dezzy70 Yes vrr is useful for games that need it. Its almost always useful on 120hz mode.
I have two tellies in my main room, one 3 year old x series sony lcd, the other an LG C1 - so one has vrr, one does not.
I still dont see why this game doesn't have a vrr mode as they admitted they had a 60hz solution, it just varied a bit. Perfect vrr fodder.

@Titntin
On GOWR, I’ve gone favour quality but set it in 120HZ mode with VRR.
After trying all the different settings this seems the best one, better than all the others.
The motion is a lot better when panning around etc a lot clearer and very clean.
It’s a strange setting which I thought would not be the best one but it is.
It is funny though how LGC2 is tracking it at around 118hz(120) but that can’t be real.
Is it because of the 120hz divided by 3 giving the 40hz but tv showing 118hz(120)?
Dead the same with HFW, best setting all round.

@Dezzy70 Okay but you have no idea what your talking about. You're just a gatekeeper who can't stand people enjoying things. So honestly your opinion doesn't mean jack and coke to anyone.

@Dr_ENT CP2077 runs at 1080p with dynamic resolution at 60fps and can dip as low as 768p in stressing moments according to digital foundry but with the latest patch with fsr2.1 in the end you get a good image quality , and for fast action games I prefer 1080p dynamic resolution at 60fps than native 1080p locked at 30fps ..

@Garamari
Good to know 😊

@Nightcrawler71 for real. This killed any hype I had for this game. I can't support lazy developers.

@Titntin sounds like the one ignoring the devs is you since they themselves said the idea that the series S is holding things back is nonsense because they are not forced to make the game look the same on the Series S.

As for “putting your fingers in your ears”, there are people that keep coming here pretending to want to have a conversation but all they really are doing is spit disproven “facts” and rarely making sensible statements. After months engaging with some, eventually it’s best to understand what they are doing is obviously not “holding conversations”, so might as well click ignore. Fact that I’m replying obviously means I have not ignored you.

@Sebatrox it is indeed selling quickly. Bought a Series S yesterday and had trouble finding one. Places I checked didn’t have it for shipping, had to place a pickup order at a nearby store. Funny enough, could had gotten a second PS5 the same way, but after lots of thinking on it, I am already spending too much money to throw nearly $600 at a console (bundled game tax plus actual sales tax) just for convenience.

@Tharsman Fair enough. 😀
Sounded like you didnt want a coonversation, but I obviously read that wrong, appologies.

@Dezzy70 dahell you on about?

age of lazy devs is upon us maybe ue5.1 will save us...

@Dezzy70 @Dezzy70 one year later. Still think that lol .psn is higher in price than gamepass for no extra reason[enjoy] ps5 is more expensive than xbox series x [enjoy] and now Activision is ours

@Dezzy70 so you got a hard on for playstation I can tell. Well then , you know if 30fps is a problem for you here is a simple solution that ps fans can't seem to figure out...... there another choice lol there's the sieres x which is cheaper than by 100 in America lol same thing now apply to gamepass core , also cheaper then psn .just 9.99$ for pc