Dating back to January when the announcement of the Xbox Series X was still being processed by excited fans, Xbox game Studios head Matt Booty shared that Microsoft’s ambitions to integrate players who might not be ready for the next-generation will not be force to join. Elaborating on the firm’s approach, the first year or two of platform exclusives will not leave out the current Xbox One console.
The decision was instantly met with a response from online communities coming to the conclusion that the potential of the Xbox Series X – despite the overwhelming power of the console – would be held back due to projects being developed for both systems. With the Xbox One being the lacking unit this generation, it is easy to presume that would be the case.
However, that speculation does not apply to all projects Xbox head Phil Spencer shares. In a recent interview with GameStar, Spencer clarifies that developers will not be forced to create optimized versions for both Xbox One and Xbox Series X if that does not align with their vision for the respected property.
If a creator comes to us and says I have this vision for reaching these customers across different platforms and different generations we’re completely supportive of that.
It is really about our creators having choice and allowing them to build the games that they want to build to reach the audience that they’re looking for and not things that we’re mandating to our creators in terms of what they have to go do.
It’s not our rules for our platform it’s more about creators creating the games that they want to go build looking ahead.
In contrast to Sony’s approach for the PlayStation 5, there isn’t much difference regarding what developers can and cannot do. It was reported last month that development teams if not interested in working on a game for the current PlayStation 4 can opt to making it specifically for the next-generation. But, games for current hardware will be required to make a separate – more optimized version for the PlayStation 5.
Among the projects that are aimed to sell the Xbox Series X later this holiday season, Microsoft has only confirmed 343 Industries’ Halo Infinite to be offer cross-gen support. While it is presumed other entries like Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II and The Medium will be unique to the Xbox Series X. More will be addressed in the coming Xbox Game Showcase later this week.
Do you agree with Microsoft’s decision putting the developer first?
Source: ResetEra
