STALKER 2 May Have Bad News for Xbox Series S Users

STALKER 2 May Have Bad News for Xbox Series S Users

Key Takeaways

  • STALKER 2 may launch on Xbox Series S without a 60fps performance mode.
  • A recent tweet from STALKER 2’s lead producer confirms that the team is aiming for “at least” 30fps across the board on Xbox Series S.
  • The framerate cutback on Series S is disappointing, but somewhat understandable considering STALKER 2’s gorgeous graphics and huge open world.

As a long-time fan of the STALKER franchise, I can’t help but feel a tinge of disappointment upon learning that STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl might not offer a 60fps performance mode on Xbox Series S at launch. Having played the original games on their respective platforms and eagerly awaiting this sequel for years, I was hoping for nothing less than the smoothest gaming experience possible.


The main producer of STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl hinted that the eagerly anticipated survival horror game may be released without a 60fps mode on Xbox Series S. This news follows closely after STALKER 2 was confirmed to run at 60fps on Xbox Series X, which could mean a significant difference in gameplay and smoothness for Series S gamers.

As a gaming enthusiast eagerly waiting for it, I can’t help but reflect on the grueling development path that STALKER 2 has taken through the annals of the games industry. Yet, the day has finally come – November 20th, to be exact – when this highly anticipated survival horror first-person shooter will grace Xbox Series X/S and PC. As a sequel directly following the critically acclaimed 2009 Call of Prypiat, there’s an electric anticipation surrounding STALKER 2. With it being a day one Game Pass launch, players can jump right into the action.

Approaching its launch within a few months, STALKER 2 made an impressive appearance at Gamescom 2024, debuting a new trailer and offering playable demos on the exhibition floor. The Xbox Series X builds demonstrated a polished 60fps frame rate, but it appears that STALKER 2’s performance on the Series S may not be quite as seamless. During a Gamescom interview, GSC lead producer Slava Lukyanenka revealed that STALKER 2 builds on the Series S were initially averaging 25fps due to optimization efforts. However, in a recent tweet, Lukyanenka clarified that they had misspoke in the interview and stated that STALKER 2 is currently running at an average of 35fps on the Series S.

STALKER 2 Will Target “At Least” 30fps on Xbox Series S

In the same tweet thread, Lukyanenka confirmed that the team is aiming to launch STALKER 2 on Xbox Series S at a baseline 30fps performance target across the board. This very likely means that Series S users will miss out on a 60fps performance mode for STALKER 2 at launch, although further optimization could allow GSC Game World to include a 40fps mode for 120hz displays. Considering STALKER 2 is a graphically stunning title built on Unreal Engine 5, though, a stable 30fps target would be very much in line with the budget Xbox console’s capabilities.

For gamers aiming to push STALKER 2 to its limits, a high-performance computer is essential. Fortunately, Nvidia and MSI are joining forces to unveil a STALKER 2 themed 4070 Ti graphics card prior to the game’s November release. This presents an ideal chance for STALKER enthusiasts eager to upgrade their systems with a graphics card that symbolizes their dedication to the series.

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2024-09-02 22:06