Still, if devs would want to make game that barely runs 1080p/30 fps on series x, but looks epic, forcing them to also make it run on S could be pain in the ass.
Then they would make some horrible 480p version? So it could limit their artistic options, at least after last gen support is dropped.
People always forget this 100 % fact, that having to build game for multiple systems vs 1 system always takes more resources. Like they have to have time to test 1+n versions, time to optimize it for 1+n versions, support 1+n versions and so on.
Even if "porting for series s" is 5 % of total resource budget, it is still 5 % less to use for the whole game.
Or small teams whom dont have budget to spread for two systems.
So difference vs. 1 system is always over 0.0%, but how much, depends of the case.
Personally I wish that there would not be forced series S version, it is so unpopular system that even used ones barely sell for 100-150€ here. Just give devs options to make X-only version, it is not devs fault or gamers whom want X-only versions
Ok... let's start from the beginning:
1. If a game is 1080p@30fps on XSX and PS5, then they're already their own bottleneck, not the XSS... If anything, the XSS optimizations would benefit the bigger consoles as happened with Matrix demo and...
2. ...A game running like that would be as "decent" as a product for XSX and PS5 owner as it would be the same game running at 480p on XSS for that console owners... say whatever, there are people here calling less than 4K in 2022 a sacrilege to human progress (not because it looks bad, but because of the year... idk more, ask them about it)
3. Yes, 480p would be acceptable for XSS owners if the game is soooo heavy, in which case, let them complain, you'd be already bottleneck by XSX and PS5 anyway, XSS wouldn't have shit to do with that
4. There's no XSS devkit, just XSX which has a "XSS Mode", so devs don't have to do basically any extra work for the XSS, now let's say it takes 20% of the Xbox resources availability for a game to be on XSS... That's around 40% to 60% more sales, so the investment is worth it considering the player base is bigger due to having the cheaper option in the market, more people to sell the game to
5. XSS is not unpopular, maybe where you are, but where I am the thing already penetrated the mainstream and is being seen as a default console to get (I'm in a third world country so that influences a lot)