Undoubtedly, the biggest reveal of last night’s Game Awards. We finally got our first official look at Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox. The Xbox Series X. The console’s reveal came in addition to the first look at Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II. A sequel to Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice from developers Ninja Theory. Heres everything you need to know about the Xbox Series X.
A New Innovation
It should be noted that Phil Spencers (The head of Xbox) official statement regarding the Xbox Series X was filled to the brim. Both with nostalgic words for the Xbox brand and plenty of nerdy hardware details we’ll get onto a little later. Phil states the next-generation console will be Xbox’s “fastest, most powerful console ever” and will “set a new bar for performance, speed, and compatibility.” “Allowing you to bring your gaming legacy, thousands of games from three generations and more forward with you”.
As you will know, Xbox has always proudly boasted it’s backward compatibility and here is no exception.
The console’s new design will allow for “four times the processing power of Xbox One X in the quietest and most efficient way”. Phil also states the console’s design will allow for both “vertical and horizontal orientation”.
In addition to the console’s reveal, we also got our first look at the new Xbox Wireless Controller. The controller has now been “refined to accommodate an even wider range of people”. The controller even includes a new share button, similar to Sony’s Dualshock 4 Controllers. Meaning its even easier for you to capture screenshots or share gameplay. It also features an “advanced d-pad derived from the Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller”.
The controller will, of course, be compatible with both the Xbox One X and Windows 10 PC.
Hellblade II.
To show off the Xbox Series X power the reveal came alongside the official reveal for Hellblade II. Moreover, the game’s reveal trailer, which I thoughts was very impressive and can be watched below, was captured in engine. What did you think of Hellblade II’s launch trailer? Did the visuals blow you away?
The Specs
Okay, its time for all the boring nerdy stuff. Half of you just switched off and the other half just sat up in their seats. The Xbox Series X promises us players, “the best visuals and load times of any console”. The visuals will run in 4K at 60FPS. With the possibility of up to 120FPS, including support for Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and 8K capability.
They will achieve this through their new custom-designed processor. “Leveraging the latest Zen 2 and next-generation RDNA architecture from our partners at AMD”. Additionally, the Xbox Series X will offer Ray Tracing capabilities and “a new level of performance never before seen in a console”.
The Xbox series X will feature a new “patented Variable Rate Shading (VRS) technology” and the new “next-generation SSD will virtually eliminate load times”. I’ll believe that when I see it.
Phil also claims latency will be minimized thanks to leveraging technology such as Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). Developers will also have access to “new functionality like Dynamic Latency Input (DLI) to make Xbox Series X the most responsive console ever”. Finally, of course, the Xbox series X also will heavily dive into Cloud technolgy letting you play your favorite games anywhere.
Future Exclusives
Phil’s final closing statements again mention the consoles “cross-generation entitlements”. Letting you carry across not just your game but also your trophies and achievements. He also promises that new exclusive content is already in the works for the Xbox series X with “15 Xbox Game Studios developing the largest and most creatively diverse lineup of Xbox exclusive games in our history”.
What are your initial thoughts after last night’s reveal? Does the Xbox series X grab your attention or are you prepared to wait to see Sony’s offerings? Let us know all your thoughts down below or on Twitter.
