Microsoft continued their slow rollout of the Xbox Series X today on Xbox Wire with an in-depth informational post about some of the console’s technical specifications and new features.
While the Xbox Series X will obviously sport advanced video processing capabilities, the most exciting new feature might be the revelation that it’ll give players the option to pause the action in multiple games and pick them up later with Quick Resume. But don’t worry, if you’re more interested in the Xbox Series X’s internal hardware, Microsoft is ready to discuss GPU performance, Variable Rate Shading, and DirectX Raytracing:
Next Generation Custom Processor: Xbox Series X is our most powerful console ever powered by our custom designed processor leveraging AMD’s latest Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures. Delivering four times the processing power of an Xbox One and enabling developers to leverage 12 TFLOPS of GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) performance – twice that of an Xbox One X and more than eight times the original Xbox One. Xbox Series X delivers a true generational leap in processing and graphics power with cutting edge techniques resulting in higher framerates, larger, more sophisticated game worlds, and an immersive experience unlike anything seen in console gaming.
Variable Rate Shading (VRS): Our patented form of VRS empowers developers to more efficiently utilize the full power of the Xbox Series X. Rather than spending GPU cycles uniformly to every single pixel on the screen, 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: You can expect more dynamic and realistic environments powered by hardware-accelerated DirectX Raytracing – a first for console gaming. This means true-to-life lighting, accurate reflections and realistic acoustics in real time as you explore the game world.
The consolemaker is also heavily focusing on the new Xbox ecosystem that’ll debut alongside the Xbox Series X, which includes backwards compatibility for games for the Xbox One, Xbox 360, and the original Xbox. Xbox One accessories, such as controllers and other peripherals, will also be compatible with the Xbox Series X. Microsoft is even embracing Cross-Buy with their next console (though they call it Smart Delivery), promising that players can “buy a game once” to be sure they’re getting “the best available version for whichever Xbox console they choose to play on”:
Four Generations of Gaming: 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. Your favorite games, including titles in Xbox Game Pass, benefit from 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: 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.
Xbox Game Pass: In addition to games from across four generations of consoles, our leading game subscription service, Xbox Game Pass, will continue to have our first party games, like Halo Infinite, included at their launch. We look forward to millions of you experiencing the Xbox Game Pass portfolio and immersing yourselves in a deep library of high-quality games, playing those you love now and also discovering your next great adventure.
Microsoft will launch the Xbox Series X sometime this Fall, and they’ve promised to unveil more details about the console between now and this year’s E3 Expo in June.
