This concession is not insignificant since it is undoubtedly the first example of a notable breach of the duty of content and functionality parity that Microsoft normally requests, so that the only differences between an Xbox Series X game and Xbox Series S so far were of a technical nature (resolution, fluidity, ray-tracing). Except that here, faced with the titanic success of Baldur’s Gate 3 since its official release on PC (whose concurrent player peak of 875,343 put it in the top 10 across all games), Microsoft and Larian Studios have come to terms on this compromise. By doing so, Microsoft avoids Baldur’s Gate 3 to be perceived as a PS5 console exclusive any longer, although obviously we shouldn’t expect to see the game released on September 6th on Microsoft’s platforms, if only because the place is already occupied by another RPG also rather expected.
A necessary compromise
” I’m very happy to confirm that after talking to Phil Spencer yesterday, we have found a solution that will allow us to release Baldur’s Gate 3 on Xbox this year, something we have been working on for quite some time. All the improvements will be present, with split-screen co-op on Series X. Series S will not feature split-screen co-op, but will also include cross-save progression between Steam and Xbox Series “, has announcement creative director Swen Vincke on social media.
The abandonment of split-screen on Xbox Series S comes as the journalist Alex Donaldson reports from the halls of gamescom that many developers continue to complain about the Xbox Series S privately. However, Phil Spencer has no intention of leaving aside his entry-level machine at 300 euros, as he confirmed again in an interview from Cologne. For the boss of the Xbox brand, it is just as unthinkable that the Xbox Series S be deprived of any game if it is available on Xbox Series X. According to Phil Spencer, the priority would no longer be so much to respect any parity, but all Xbox games will be released flawlessly on Series X and Series S. Larian Studios’ announcement confirms this intention, but also means that we will have to be more attentive to the differences that may exist between the versions.
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