Working on Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 for the Xbox Series S has provided unexpected advantages for the game’s development across other platforms, as recently shared by Warhorse Studios’ PR manager.
In a chat on the Iron Lords Podcast (check it out around the 1:32:17 mark), Tobias Stolz-Zwilling, the PR manager of Warhorse Studios, highlighted how “the optimizations for the Xbox Series S were incredibly beneficial for other platforms as well.” He explained that the necessity to reduce certain elements and be more innovative with programming resulted in improvements that carried over to the other versions.
The game operates on a customized version of Crytek’s CryEngine. Warhorse Studios has really made it their own by integrating unique technology and features to support this expansive medieval open world, brimming with intricate simulation elements.
For the Xbox Series S, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 offers one mode running at 30 FPS. Meanwhile, on the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, you’ll find both a 30 FPS quality mode and a 60 FPS performance mode, with additional enhancements available for PlayStation 5 Pro users.
### Xbox Series S: Both a Challenge and an Opportunity
Years after its launch, developers’ reactions to the Xbox Series S have been diverse. Some are troubled by the constraints of a less powerful console, while others are capitalizing on it to create additional visual modes.
Take Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3, for example. Initially, the game launched on Xbox Series S without its split-screen feature back in December 2023. Nevertheless, ongoing optimizations have since enabled this feature, now part of the upcoming Patch 8 available for early testing.
Warhorse Studios isn’t the only one finding unexpected perks in dealing with the Xbox Series S. The developers of STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, GSC Game World, revealed that squeezing every possible megabyte from the console’s system content led to more efficient performance, ultimately improving the PC version as well.
While I haven’t personally played Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 yet, the feedback from peers has been glowing. Contributor Brendan Lowry raved in his review about the game, praising its “immersive, reactive open world, myriad quests, well-executed combat, compelling storyline, and excellent presentation” — essentially everything a fan of the franchise could ask for and more.
Currently, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is available on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PlayStation 5. Happy gaming!
