Microsoft reveals Xbox Series X

Microsoft revealed its next-gen console. What has previously been known under the codename Project Scarlett is now officially called Xbox Series X.

The announcement came during The Game Awards. All that the reveal trailer actually revealed is the new PC-inspired design allowing the console to be used both vertically and horizontally. No new specs were disclosed. However, Xbox chief, Phil Spencer, promises that it will “deliver four times the processing power of Xbox One X in the most quiet and efficient way.”

What we know about Xbox Series X so far is that it will include a custom-designed CPU based on AMD’s Zen 2 and Radeon RDNA architecture. Instantaneous load times will be possible thanks to NVMe SSD. The console will also support 8K gaming, frame rates of up to 120 fps in games, ray tracing, and variable refresh rate support.

In terms of GPU performance, Xbox Series X should be able to pull off 12 teraflops.

Another feature of the new console is Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Dynamic Latency Input (DLI) that will “make Xbox Series X the most responsive console ever,” according to Spencer.

The new console will ship with Xbox Wireless Controller that features a new Share button for capturing screenshots and making game clips. The updated controller is also compatible with Xbox One consoles and Windows 10 PCs.

The word “series” in the name suggests that Microsoft will be releasing at least one other version of the console, which will be less powerful but less pricey.

What about games? Series X will support all games across four previous generations of Xbox through backward compatibility. One of the console’s first exclusives will be Hellblade 2. The trailer is supposedly made on the game’s engine.

Xbox Series X will ship at the end of 2020, at the same time PlayStation 5 will go on sale.