Xbox Series S is getting a performance boost thanks to new dev tools
Microsoft is giving developers more memory to work with on Xbox Series S, which could improve graphical performance
➡️ The Shortcut Skinny
🆕 Microsoft’s June GDK 2022 update should make developing for Xbox Series S easier
👍 Hundreds of additional megabytes of memory are now available to developers, which can improve graphical performance in memory-constrained conditions
💪 Titles can now also take advantage of recent memory enhancements
Microsoft is giving developers more memory control on Xbox Series S, which could improve graphical performance in certain titles.
As part of its June Game Development Kit update (thanks, The Verge), Microsoft revealed that “hundreds of additional megabytes of memory are now available to Xbox Series S developers.”
The Xbox Series S has a more than capable GPU and essentially the same CPU as the Xbox Series X, but unlike Microsoft’s flagship console — which has 16GB of RAM — the Xbox Series S only has 10GB of RAM, but only 8GB was available to developers.
By freeing up some more memory for developers, the Xbox Series S should be able to deliver better performance, which is great news for those who picked up Microsoft’s $299 console.
The new June GDK 2022 update lets devs take advantage of recent memory enhancement without negatively affecting graphics performance. Most features in the new update have been implemented as the direct result of developer requests.
Small but mighty
The Xbox Series S is a next-gen console, even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the Xbox Series X. It’s capable of ray-tracing, playing games at 120fps, has a super-fast SSD, and includes the same feature set as the Xbox Series X like Quick Resume, Auto HDR, and FPS Boost.
👉 Check out the best Xbox Series X accessories
The biggest difference between the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S tends to be the resolution. While the majority of Xbox Series X games target 4K, Xbox Series S games target 1440p or 1080p and can often have reduced graphical features.
Nevertheless, suppose you’re not bothered about having the highest graphical fidelity possible. In that case, the Xbox Series S is a fantastic gateway into the Xbox ecosystem, especially when teamed with an Xbox Game Pass subscription or the new Xbox Game Pass Ultimate family plan. It’s also $200 cheaper than the Xbox Series X, which is $499.
The Xbox Series X|S continue to break records for Microsoft, and a large part of that success comes from the affordable Xbox Series S.