Moon Studios Founder Criticizes Xbox Series S Specs and Development Constraints

Moon Studios founder Thomas Mahler recently took to social media to voice strong criticisms regarding the performance potential and hardware specifications of the Xbox Series S. The conversation began when Mahler discussed Grand Theft Auto VI running on the console, suggesting it is unreasonable for fans to expect every modern game to hit 60 frames per second on the platform. He noted that Rockstar Games spent over a billion dollars with thousands of staff members working on the title for over a decade, and questioned how well the hardware will ultimately handle it.

Mahler described the console as a six-year-old machine that cost $299 at launch, pointing out that it features half the RAM of a Steam Deck while still being expected to run the newest games at peak performance. His comments drew backlash from fans who appreciate the affordable, family-oriented system. In response to the criticism, Mahler doubled down on his stance, claiming that the hardware has been holding back development because current Xbox games must be optimized for both the high-end Xbox Series X and the Series S.

According to Mahler, this requirement creates substantial pain and stress for developers, who may face unfair accusations of being lazy or incompetent online when struggling with constraints tied to what he called a "frankly stupid spec." He added that many creators are restricted from speaking out due to industry policies, but believes public discussion is necessary to enact change. Meanwhile, Moon Studios continues to work on its upcoming plans, which include bringing No Rest for the Wicked out of Early Access and launching the game on console platforms.