The creators of Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl initially believed that the game would not run on the Xbox Series S due to the console's technical constraints compared to the Series X. However, GSC Game World invested time in optimizing for the Series S and implemented new "streaming" technology to enable the game to run on this platform. Now, the studio not only believes that Stalker 2 will provide a satisfactory experience on the Series S but also asserts that any studio can achieve this with sufficient time and resources.
"Initially, we thought it might be impossible to bring Stalker 2 to the Xbox Series S. We have a massive game with numerous mechanics and a vast array of elements," the studio shared with Windows Central. "It seemed like an insurmountable task. But then we began optimizing, incorporating new features for streaming data. Unreal Engine offers many features for this, but for our game, we had to maximize every megabyte from every piece of system content, and now we've succeeded."
The developer further stated that it's now "feasible for any game to meet the Xbox Series S's memory limits." However, the studio acknowledged that not all teams have the time or resources to optimize for the Series S.
Stalker 2 on the Series S runs at a locked 30fps, compared to the target of 60fps on the Series X. It may drop to 55fps during intense scenes, and GSC continues to optimize to enhance this. For the Series S version, GSC mentioned that achieving 60fps is possible but not consistent. "But we're aiming to introduce a performance mode for the Xbox Series S to reach 60fps. We believe it's achievable," the developer noted.
Several game developers across the industry have expressed concerns about the Series S console's relative lack of power and how supporting this system might disadvantage developers. For instance, issues with the Series S edition delayed the release of Baldur's Gate 3.
Stalker 2, developed by GSC amidst the Ukraine-Russia war, is set to launch this November and will be available on Game Pass at launch. GameSpot recently explored the game and found it to be a chilling yet captivating return to the Zone.
