Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Runs Well Because of Xbox Even Though Its ‘The Weakest’

by

In the year 2025, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 was one of the most invigorating games released, largely due to its reputation as a highly optimized title. Interestingly, it’s been suggested by one of the game’s creators that the key to its impressive performance and visual appeal lies in its ability to leverage even the weakest component in video game console hardware – specifically, the Xbox Series S.

In a recent conversation with Iron Lords Podcast, Tobias Stolz-Zwilling, Warhorse Studios’ internal PR representative (also known as Sir Tobi), discussed some key factors behind the success of Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. He explained that focusing on making the game compatible with the Xbox Series S has led to a chain reaction, significantly enhancing the optimization of Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 on various other gaming platforms as well.

As a dedicated enthusiast, I must acknowledge that, despite being the least powerful among this generation’s gaming hardware, the Xbox Series S has played a pivotal role in shaping Kingdom Come Deliverance 2’s optimization. Allow me to share Sir Tobi’s insights on how the humble console contributed significantly:

[Here is Sir Tobi’s explanation]
The Xbox Series S, being less powerful than its counterparts, has forced developers to optimize their games more efficiently. This constraint has led to improvements in overall performance, smoother gameplay, and a more polished gaming experience for players using less advanced hardware. In essence, the challenge posed by the Series S’s limitations has driven innovation and pushed the boundaries of what can be achieved even with limited resources.

The enhancements made for the Xbox Series S also significantly improved performance on other platforms… It’s no secret that it’s the least powerful among the four, but because you need to make certain sacrifices and be resourceful in your programming and coding to conserve memory, some of these optimizations actually benefit the other consoles as well.

According to Sir Tobi, you have two options: either opt for a more powerful version for smoother gameplay, or utilize the memory savings discovered for the Xbox Series S on the larger versions instead.

An unexpected finding in game development is that the community, especially PC gamers, often feel that less powerful consoles are hindering optimization and graphics. However, Warhorse Studios’ thoughtful approach to developing Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 has resulted in one of the most optimized games currently available.

Here’s the full podcast for those interested:

As a gamer, I appreciate the fact that this game doesn’t push me to use ray tracing, a graphic technology that still demands a lot from my gaming rig. Given that the Xbox Series S isn’t exactly a powerhouse when it comes to gaming hardware, it makes sense that they’ve chosen not to require it.

All Modern Games Should Strive to Have Kingdom Come Deliverance 2’s Optimization

Regrettably, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 stands out as an exception in terms of video game optimization. Compared to many contemporary games launched in 2025 (or scheduled for release this month), it avoids the use of ray tracing as a requirement and reduces dependence on upscaling and frame generation techniques to ensure playable frame rates.

For instance, the game Monster Hunter Wilds has sparked concerns among several gamers due to its revised system specifications demanding frame rate generation to maintain a steady 60 FPS at lower resolutions, which some consider an inefficient use of technology. In fact, certain players have leveled accusations against the developers for neglecting true optimization and instead imposing a frame rate generation or upscaling requirement.

In the PC gaming world, upscaling and frame generation techniques are often met with skepticism due to their potential to introduce lag or delay because these technologies rely on artificial intelligence to interpret pixels rather than using real ones (commonly referred to as “fake frames”). Ideally, these methods work best when used at frames per second (FPS) above 60 to minimize latency. However, recently, they’ve become a common solution for games that lack optimal performance.

Read More

2025-02-11 11:05