Mecha BREAK Faces Challenges in Optimizing for Xbox Series S

Last week, I had the fantastic chance to attend a preview event for Mecha BREAK, a thrilling free-to-play multiplayer game featuring mechs. During this event, I explored three different game modes and discovered 13 different mechs, known as “Strikers.”

While I was there, I also got the opportunity to chat with Kris Kwok, the CEO of Amazing Seasun Games and the Executive Producer of Mecha BREAK. We discussed some exciting topics, including the game’s exclusive release on Xbox and whether it would be playable on portable gaming devices like the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally.

Kris shared that the developers faced some obstacles while trying to optimize the game for the Xbox Series S and its controller. He explained that the limited RAM on this console posed a significant challenge. He expressed this enthusiasm by discussing the difficulties they ran into while working on a mission mode called Mashmak, which features an extensive map measuring 256 square kilometers. This large area made optimization a daunting task and represented their biggest technical challenge.

Mecha BREAK is set to launch on PC and will be available as a timed exclusive for Xbox. It will later be released on PlayStation 5. When I asked why they chose to partner with Xbox over PlayStation for this exclusive deal, Kris humorously noted that Xbox was more proactive than Sony. He elaborated that since the mech game market is already quite crowded in Japan, promoting a mech game exclusively for the Western audience through Xbox seemed like a safer option. He also confirmed that Mecha BREAK would be accessible through Xbox Game Pass, which is great news for subscribers.

As for playing on handheld devices, Kris was optimistic. He mentioned that if Mecha BREAK runs well on the Xbox Series S, it should work smoothly on devices like the Steam Deck. He confirmed that they tested an internal version of the game on Steam Deck, assuring fans that they will likely enjoy playing the game on their handhelds when it releases in spring 2025.

While discussing gameplay, Kris admitted that mapping the controls was another challenge. He noted that different regions have varying preferences for control schemes, making it difficult for them to find a setup that would satisfy everyone. I personally tried using an Xbox controller during the demo and found it responsive. However, I believe remapping the controls—such as using the trigger buttons for boosting instead of the A and B buttons—would improve the experience.

Mecha BREAK seems set to make a significant impact upon its release. The most recent open beta saw a peak of over 317,000 concurrent players, which put it among the top games played on Steam that day. It’s also the eighth most wishlisted title on the platform, highlighting the excitement surrounding its launch.

If you’re a fan of mech games and enjoy multiplayer experiences, don’t miss out on Mecha BREAK when it launches this spring on Xbox Series X|S and PC. You’ll want to dive into the action of this dynamic and free-to-play mech game as soon as it hits the market!