The developers of Wardogs are limited by the capabilities of the Xbox Series S, but they also see some advantages in this.
- The developers of Wardogs are limited by the Xbox Series S
- Dynamic weather will not be added
- Optimization for weaker PCs as an advantage
The limitations of the Xbox Series S and their impact on Wardogs
The developers of the game Wardogs, Bulkhead studio, openly acknowledged that the limitations of the Xbox Series S affect the functionality of the game. The company's CEO, Joe Brammer, noted that it is precisely because of these limitations that the game lacks dynamic weather. In particular, the new rain feature, which will be added this month, will be constant throughout the game, rather than appearing and disappearing during the match. This decision is due to the need to maintain stable performance on the platform.
Brammer emphasized that while the Xbox Series S is a great platform, it represents 'very weak hardware' for a game like Wardogs. He noted that developers must take these limitations into account when adding new features. Despite this, the team has ambitions to implement dynamic weather in the future, although at the moment no one is working on this feature.
Problems with the Xbox Series S are not unique to Wardogs. Previously, Moon Studio founder Thomas Mahler also mentioned delays in the release of the game No Rest for the Wicked due to difficulties with this console. Additionally, Baldur's Gate 3 was released on Xbox with a delay and required assistance from Microsoft engineers to implement the multiplayer feature on Series S.
Problems with the Xbox Series S
Despite the limitations, Bulkhead sees some advantages in working with the Xbox Series S. Co-founder Howard Philpott noted that working with lower specifications allows for optimization of the game for less powerful PCs. This is important as the team aims to make the game accessible to as many players as possible, which also has financial benefits.
Philpott added that while the Xbox Series S limits developers, it also sets a baseline performance level, which aids in optimization. He noted that the Bulkhead team initially focused on performance for PC but did not pay enough attention to controller support, which became an issue during the early access launch.
The situation with controllers prompted Bulkhead to take a more thoughtful approach to development. Senior producer Kane Allard noted that the team realized the need to consider controller support from the very beginning, rather than as a secondary element. This led to significant efforts to adapt the control system for the console version of the game.
Benefits of working with low specifications
Although Wardogs will not be released on consoles until 2028, the team is actively working to consider all aspects that may affect console versions in the future. Philpott also reported that Bulkhead hired a professional Halo player to improve controller support, which should enhance the quality of controls in the game.
With the release of the second season of Wardogs, which will take place on October 15, the developers hope to showcase the improvements that have been implemented in the game. However, despite these improvements, the limitations of the Xbox Series S still remain relevant and require attention.
The question of whether Microsoft will allow developers to release games exclusively for Xbox Series X remains open. At the moment, the company requires that games be released simultaneously on both consoles, which creates additional challenges for developers.
The future of Wardogs on consoles
The situation with Xbox Series S raises important questions about the future of console gaming and how hardware performance affects developers' creativity. Limitations can stifle innovation, but they can also lead to more thorough optimization.
The Wardogs developers continue to work on improving the game despite existing limitations. They strive to create a product that will be accessible to a wide audience, which is an important part of their philosophy.
Ultimately, the future of Wardogs on consoles depends on how Bulkhead can adapt to the limitations and leverage them to their advantage. The team is confident that they can overcome these challenges and deliver a quality product to players.
Source: IGN
