Microsoft admits that Xbox Series X performs worse than PlayStation 5

Microsoft replied to the launch controversy of its next-gen console, the Xbox Series X. Contrary to expectations, many next-gen games run worse on Microsoft’s new console compared to the PlayStation 5.

When one considers the technical specifications of both machines, these results are truly baffling. It’s not that Sony delivered a weak system. Quite the opposite. The PS5 even surpasses the Xbox Series X in certain regards. Namely, faster storage and higher clock speeds.

Truth is though, both consoles’ technical sheets are openly available. And the results are very clear. The Xbox Series X offers a small but real lead in theoretical performance. We’re talking 12 teraflops of computational power compared to the PS5’s 10.28 teraflops. That’s roughly 15%!

So, why then do performance results of next-gen titles give Sony’s system a clear edge over the Series X? According to The Verge’s findings through anonymous talks with developers, the explanation doesn’t lie with the hardware itself.

Instead, we learn that Microsoft simply was late in offering game makers development hardware. Furthermore, on the software side of things, the development tools for the new Xbox console lack behind the PlayStation counterparts.

In the end, this means that developers had more time to polish PS5 versions of next-gen games, all the while enjoying more mature software, as well.

An important tidbit here is that Microsoft openly acknowledges that their Xbox Series X performs behind the PS5. In a statement to The Verge, a spokesperson admits that they are aware of performance issues. The good news here is that Microsoft takes this issue seriously and works together with developers to bring the Series X to par.

Things will probably get much better as time goes on and the Xbox team delivers better tools for developers. While reassuring, it sure is a blow against Xbox fans who hoped to get the best experiences on the Series X right out of the gate. It’s not like Microsoft hasn’t been marketing their new console as the most powerful console ever for months, either.