Why does the PS5 bypass the Xbox Series X in tests, while being inferior to the console in power

On paper, the Xbox Series X is more powerful than the PlayStation 5. However, the first tests show that the multiplatform now works better and more stable on the Sony console. The reasons are banal. First: game developers had less time to optimize games for a Microsoft device. Second: less convenient tools and weaker documentation for it. This was told by The Verge, after talking with various teams that were preparing new releases for the latest generation consoles.

The story began with tests, where the Xbox Series X appeared in a number of moments in the role of catching up.

Results of the first testsIn most games, the new Xbox often has an advantage in 4K resolution and with retrace enabled.

• For example, in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, the Sony console sometimes sags up to 40 frames, while the Series X holds 60 FPS.The problems start in performance mode.
• The Series X, unlike the PS5, often does not hold 120 or 60 frames per second, which is observed in Dirt 5 (Sony has less drawdowns and higher image quality), the new Call of Duty and Devil May Cry 5 (the difference with the PS5 sometimes reaches 40 frames).”These drawdowns look strange and suggest that the problem lies in the limitation of the API on the Xbox side, as if something is holding back the graphics chip,” explains Richard Leadbetter from Digital Foundry.
• Drawdowns are also observed in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, in which some users also encountered image breaks at the start (the PS5 version works generally more smoothly).
• At the same time, both the Ubisoft project and Dirt 5 were promoted as games optimized for Xbox.Why is the Xbox Series X losing to the PlayStation 5?

In a conversation with developers who wished to remain anonymous, The Verge found out that Microsoft allowed studios to apply for certification of games for Series X only in June.

• Prior to that, the company had a busy schedule of mailing devkits.
• Because of this, the company provided access to its tools late. PS5 devkits fell into the hands of developers much earlier.One of the versions of such a delay is Microsoft’s desire to get full support for RDNA 2 technology.
• Despite the fact that Microsoft’s devkit fell into the hands of teams later, it turned out to be much more raw than that of competitors.
• One of the developers admitted that even basic things like gamepad support or profile switching did not work well in the GDK console initially.Some developers claim that Sony’s toolkit is much more convenient and much better documented.
• Microsoft’s position and developer actions

The company has already acknowledged the problem and, in a conversation with The Verge, stated that it is actively working with studios to eliminate errors.

According to Microsoft, developers are “just learning how to take full advantage” of the new platform.

At the start of the last generation, Microsoft also lost to Sony in terms of performance. Right now, the gap between consoles is not that big, but third-party developers may need additional months to fully adapt to the new toolkit.

Also on the topic:

• Phil Spencer on studio deals: “Sometimes we pay the full cost of development”Newzoo named the most popular games at the launch of PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S
• Bloomberg: taking into account inflation, prices for games could exceed $100 by 2020
• Is there any news?