We're still some way out from the release of Microsoft's Xbox Series X in Holiday 2020 (if indeed it survives that projected window due to coronavirus concerns), but we already know quite a lot about the upcoming system. The company seems willing to dish out information more freely than it did back in the pre-release days of the Xbox One, such as tech specs and game-specific features. But after everything we've heard so far, what do we really think could give Microsoft the biggest advantage heading into the next generation?
The obvious place to start is with the next-gen custom processor. We wouldn't blame you for not knowing what Teraflops are, but Xbox Series X's 12 TFLOPS of GPU performance are twice as good as Xbox One X, and eight times as impressive as the original Xbox One. The system is also set to deliver four times the processing power of the Xbox One, with all of this resulting in a "true generational leap in processing and graphics power" according to Microsoft's Xbox Wire website.
Some of the other techy bits might not sound as fun, but they're important. Variable Rate Shading and Hardware-accelerated DirectX Raytracing, for example, will help to boost everything from frame rates (with up to 120fps supported) to in-game lighting, while we also reported on the Xbox Series X's dedicated audio chip earlier this week, which should ultimately provide more power to sound designers moving forward.
Let's talk games. Microsoft have kept pretty quiet so far in terms of launch titles and future releases, but we already know quite a lot about how games will be implemented on Xbox Series X. And in our opinion, this could be where Xbox Series X truly sets itself apart for the average consumer.
Xbox Game Pass is an obvious place to start. From day one, you're going to get an entire library of games to download on Xbox Series X -- many of which have already been enhanced for Xbox One X -- not to mention all the backwards compatible games that are included as part of the program. And the best part? First party games such as Halo Infinite will be available on the service from day one. That's a big, big plus for Xbox.
And then there's a new feature called Smart Delivery, which already looks a standout. Ultimately, the idea is that you can purchase a copy of a game for either Xbox One or Xbox Series X, and still get "the best available version" for whichever console you're playing on. There's no guarantee that third-party developers and publishers will opt into this, but we've already heard that Cyberpunk 2077 will be taking advantage in the future. On paper, this sounds like another really big selling point for Xbox Series X.
There are some other features we haven't even mentioned yet. SSD storage is something we've been expecting for a while now, but the addition of a Quick Resume feature for multiple games is a welcome surprise. In fact, Microsoft's Major Nelson confirmed recently that this feature not only works for multiple titles at once, but also survives a reboot as well. That's definitely a nice addition.
We're not naïve enough to suggest there aren't any areas of contention right now -- Xbox Game Studios boss Matt Booty hit the headlines recently for indicating there won't be any Xbox Series X first-party exclusives for a while, with games like Halo Infinite set to release on both Xbox One and Xbox Series X. While that might sound like a misguided decision to some, the combination of Smart Delivery and a potential Series X delay (due to coronavirus issues) could see this decision work very much in Microsoft's favour.
We're biased, of course, but we think there are so many reasons to be excited about Xbox Series X. Whether it's the 12 teraflops of GPU performance, Smart Delivery, backwards compatibility, Quick Resume or anything else, we can't wait to get our hands on it (fingers crossed) later this year.
What are your thoughts? Tell us your favourite Xbox Series X feature in the comments below.
[source news.xbox.com, via uk.ign.com, eurogamer.net]
Comments 10
Smart Delivery is an intriguing feature! Having CD Projekt Red on board immediately is a bold move, and puts pressure on other publishers to do the same.
Having a great library from the get go, by incorporating both the current GamePass and backwards compatible archive onto the new Xbox truly is a great move and feature, but in my opinion, Smart Delivery still one-ups that, because of it making sure that the games will run flawlessly, regardless of which current or next gen Xbox platform you're on, which is simply a brilliant feature, if they can pull it off.
Backwards compatibility for sure. If the promise of everything playable on XB1 being playable on Series X become reality then I can just completely replace my XB1 with a Series X. The lack of full backwards compatibility on XB1 means that I still have to load up my 360 to play some games even now.
@Grumblevolcano You would still have to do that, because they're just going to migrate the current backwards compatibility list to the new console and go from there, so they'll probably add more titles eventually, but it's not likely that literally EVERY original Xbox and Xbox 360 title is going to be playable on Xbox Series X.
@ThanosReXXX I know, I was saying that I wouldn't have to load up my XB1 to play specific games if the promise is delivered. Just 360 for games not added to BC and Series X for everything else on the Xbox front.
From what I've read about Series X the SSD is one of the best bits of the new console purely for the faster promised loading times. I'm finding myself getting impatient at games taking ages to load and just wanting to get in there and get on with it.
I think Microsoft are going to be launching the Xbox Series X with a readily available strong lineup of games from 3 generations which will be a huge benefit especially as so many will be on Game Pass. Plus all the day one first party titles on Game Pass will help a lot.
Since MS has basically done away with having true exclusives, it's backwards compatibility. Long shot but my hope is that MS can somehow find a way to make all previous Xbox games released on disc playable on the Series X. I'd break my rule of not going above $400 for a new console if that were to happen because I have a ton of Xbox games and while a good number are playable on the X1, there's also a good number that aren't.
To be honest, a number of features appeal but at the end of the day, I had to go with the Custom Processor as that also includes the ability to do Ray Tracing, VRS etc and will be responsible for the way games run (as well as look). It doesn't matter if games load instantly or you can manage the storage better with Smart Delivery if the games don't run well. The potential that the APU can offer to devs in their game design too makes this the most appealing aspect.
Quick resume for Multiple games doesn't appeal as I only play 1 game at a time - mostly from Disc so I have to swap discs anyway. Game Pass too doesn't impact me either as I like to own my games. As for Backwards Compatibility, its a great bonus feature - especially if it offers some enhancements over the original console it released on but if it wasn't available, I still have my X, my 360 and an OG Xbox too - not that many OG Xbox games are available via BC anyway.
The separate Audio processor isn't necessarily much different to the XB1. The difference may well be that its a separate chip built into the Motherboard rather than a separate area in the APU - In the XB1, the Audio is handled by an Audio processor built into the APU - not the CPU as is most common. The XB1 offers 3D Audio via Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos so its not necessarily much of an upgrade.
SSD could be useful and certainly will help with loading times but as someone who started gaming back in the 70's and still remember when games could take 15mins to load from a cassette, having to wait up to a minute is nothing. Not saying I don't appreciate quicker load times and 'fast travel' being almost (if not) instantaneous but I also haven't felt that I can't wait 30s or so to get into a game.
With the APU, it offers a LOT of scope for new ideas in gaming - whether Devs do or not though is a different matter. No game has offered the density or variety of NPC's as Unity for a good reason (current gen CPU's) and the possibility of AI, even more dynamic worlds packed with life and variety etc. Ray Tracing can help with bringing a new dimension - Seeing shadows or reflections of enemies behind you for example - not possible with current methods unless its 'baked in' as a 'scripted' event. All that is possible because of the APU and its the future of games that I am most looking forward to. I know the APU could offer 8k and up to 120fps - although not 8k and 120fps without some compression, dropping the bit depth etc to enable the necessary bandwidth required for that but I would be OK with 30fps and certainly 4k resolution (or even 1080p with some form of DLSS) if the game offers something unique that requires heavy CPU/GPU resources to accomplish proficiently. Most (if not all) my favourite games this gen were 30fps - and I know they would still be my favourites at 60fps too - but if an open world game was teeming with life, complex AI, complex destruction (imagine being able to chop down trees for example and make a clearing and that clearing, if not kept clear grows again over time) - the potential for gaming is more than the potential resolution and frame rates to me so I had to go with the Processor....
I voted for Backwards compatibility although i'm still sad it's not full BC only the games currently on the XB1BC Program which means i still have a load of 360 games i can't play (as my 360 is dead)
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