Microsoft today announced the official name for their upcoming next-gen Xbox console and also unveiled what it will actually look like.
Previously referred to under the temporary codename of Xbox Project Scarlett, the next Xbox console generation has now been given the official title of the Xbox Series X. This will be Microsoft’s fourth generation of Xbox video game consoles following the original Xbox, the Xbox 360, and the Xbox One which is the current console.
As previously announced, Xbox Series X is still set for a holiday 2020 release.
An announcement trailer for the Xbox Series X has been released which communicates the console’s ambitions of inspiring developers and gamers to create experiences unrestrained by the technological limitations of the past.
The video also shows, for the first time, what the Xbox Series X hardware will look like (see above image) and, rather controversially, it appears to resemble a PC tower more than a traditional gaming console.
You can watch the video below.
A post on the official Xbox blog confirms that the Xbox Series X does support both horizontal and vertical orientations, much like the Xbox One S, which means that gamers will be able to stand it upright next to their TV or lay it down underneath like a Blu-ray player.
Here’s some of the other confirmed information:
- The Xbox Series X will be at least four times as powerful as the Xbox One X.
- The Xbox Series X will support backwards compatibility for many Xbox and Xbox 360 games.
- Almost all Xbox One video games will be supported on the Xbox Series X.
- Can render 4K at 60FPS with possibility of up to 120FPS.
- 8K capability.
- Xbox Series X will support Variable Refresh Rate (VRR).
- Xbox Series X is powered by a custom-designed processor leveraging the latest Zen 2 and next generation RDNA architecture.
- Hardware accelerated ray tracing is supported.
- Cooled by a single fan and additional heatsinks (via GS)
- Patented Variable Rate Shading (VRS) technology.
- Next-generation SSD which will apparently “virtually eliminate load times.”
- Support for all Xbox One accessories.
What’s particularly interesting about the mentioned support of all Xbox One accessories is that that could potentially include the Xbox One’s Kinect sensor. While it’s unlikely that the Xbox Series X console will include any game-changing Kinect functionality like the Xbox One did at launch, this could suggest that Xbox One Kinect games will be playable on the Xbox Series X.
Included within the Xbox Series X announcement was the reveal of a new Xbox Wireless Controller. This controller is very similar to the current one but features an improved d-pad, a new Share button, and a refined form factor.
This new Xbox Wireless Controller will also work with Windows 10 PCs and Xbox One consoles. One will ship with each Xbox Series X console.
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