Microsoft have unveiled new details about the Xbox Series X.
Speaking in a thread via Twitter, and on their news blog, Head of Xbox Phil Spencer detailed some of the specs of the new system, formerly known as Project Scarlet.
This includes a custom processor (“leveraging AMD’s latest Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures”) that can allegedly deliver “four times the processing power of an Xbox One.”
It can also allow developers to use 12 teraflops of GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), which Spencer claims will be “twice that of an Xbox One X and more than eight times the original Xbox One.”
The GPU can also utilize Variable Rate Shading (VRS). “Rather than spending GPU cycles uniformly to every single pixel on the screen,” Spencer explains, “they can prioritize individual effects on specific game characters or important environmental objects. This technique results in more stable frame rates and higher resolution, with no impact on the final image quality.”
Hardware-accelerated DirectX Raytracing will also be utilized- a reported first for a games console. This can be used for “true-to-life lighting, accurate reflections and realistic acoustics in real time as you explore the game world.”
Spencer also explained how “the next console generation will be defined by more playing and less waiting.” To ensure this on Xbox Series X, the system will use SSD storage, and a Quick Resume feature that “lets you continue multiple games from a suspended state almost instantly, returning you to where you were and what you were doing, without waiting through long loading screens.”
Other technologies include Dynamic Latency Input (DLI) for Xbox Wireless Controllers that “synchronizes input immediately,” HDMI 2.1 for Auto Low Latency Mode (setting the display to its lowest latency) and Variable Refresh Rate (synchronizing the refresh rate to the game’s frame rate). The Xbox Series X will also support 120 fps.
Compatibility was also discussed. “Our commitment to compatibility means existing Xbox One games, including backward-compatible Xbox 360 and original Xbox games, look and play better than ever before.”
Spencer also boasted older titles will gain “steadier framerates, faster load times and improved resolution and visual fidelity – all with no developer work required. Your Xbox One gaming accessories also come forward with you.”
“Smart Delivery” was also discussed, enabling a user to buy applicable games for any Xbox system, then use them across any of the Xbox consoles they choose.
“This technology empowers you to buy a game once and know that – whether you are playing it on Xbox One or Xbox Series X – you are getting the right version of that game on whatever Xbox you’re playing on. We’re making the commitment to use Smart Delivery on all our exclusive Xbox Game Studios titles, including Halo Infinite, ensuring you only have to purchase a title once in order to play the best available version for whichever Xbox console they choose to play on. This technology is available for all developers and publishers, and they can choose to use it for titles that will be release on Xbox One first and come to the Xbox Series X later.”
Finally, the Xbox Game Pass will continue, with first party titles such as Halo Infinite at launch.
Concluding, Spencer briefly mentioned Project xCloud, but without elaborating on any details.
“Whether it’s empowering amazing creators at our 15 Xbox Game Studios, fueling game discovery with Xbox Game Pass, or expanding what and where you can play with Project xCloud, Team Xbox stands for frictionless pathways between players and the best experiences our remarkable art form has to offer. Xbox Series X represents that same commitment for players who want immediate immersion in games that also look and feel better than ever.
We can’t wait to share more details about the new Xbox with you in the coming months.”
What do you think? Sound off in the comments below!
The Xbox Series X launches Holiday 2020.
