The Coalition used the SSD on Xbox Series S as makeshift RAM to help Gears of War E-Day run smoothly on it

Key Points:

• The Coalition used the Xbox Series S’s internal SSD as makeshift RAM to overcome the console’s lower 10 GB RAM limit, enabling smooth gameplay for Gears of War: E-Day despite hardware constraints.
• By selectively storing detailed city data on the SSD and moving it to system RAM only when needed, the studio avoided performance slowdowns while maintaining high-quality visuals, only removing Lumens-based reflections to sustain 60 FPS.
• This innovative approach allows the Xbox Series S to effectively gain additional usable memory, and other developers have shown interest in adopting this technique for future games on the platform.
• The Coalition’s technical director emphasized that this method helped avoid significant quality reductions typically required for lower-spec hardware, ensuring a better gaming experience on the Series S.
• Reviews praised Gears of War: E-Day for its intense action and solid gunplay, though some noted the story took a backseat despite featuring key character backstories fans had long awaited.