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Warhorse Studios’ recent comments highlight how developing Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 for the Xbox Series S has surprisingly improved the game’s performance across other platforms too. This insight comes from Tobias Stolz-Zwilling, the studio’s PR manager, during his chat on the Iron Lords Podcast. Around the 1:32:17 mark, he revealed, “The optimizations we made for the Xbox Series S ended up enhancing other versions,” explaining that the necessity to get creative with programming to meet the Series S’s requirements led to efficiencies elsewhere as well.
The game utilizes a modified version of Crytek’s CryEngine. Warhorse has notably customized this engine, infusing it with unique technology to host a sprawling medieval open world filled with intricate simulation elements. On the Xbox Series S, the game runs in a single mode at 30 FPS, while the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 offer both 30 FPS quality and 60 FPS performance modes, with additional enhancements available on the PlayStation 5 Pro.
Even years post-launch, the Xbox Series S continues to spark diverse reactions among developers. Some express frustration with its lower power capabilities, while others see it as a chance to innovate and offer various visual options. A similar journey to that of Warhorse Studios can be observed at Larian Studios. When Baldur’s Gate 3 was first released, it lacked split-screen functionality on the Series S. Only through dedicated optimization efforts, over more than a year, has this feature been incorporated into the Patch 8 test now available.
The sentiment of leveraging the Xbox Series S’s limitations to benefit overall game development isn’t unique to Warhorse. GSC Game World, working on STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, expressed having to “extract every bit of performance potential,” which in turn resulted in a more streamlined PC version.
I personally haven’t ventured into Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 yet, but several of my peers have been thoroughly impressed. Contributor Brendan Lowry praised the game in his review for its immersive world, diverse quests, engaging combat, compelling story, and stunning presentation, noting that it delivers everything a Kingdom Come enthusiast could hope for—and then some.
For those interested, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is currently out on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5.
