Microsoft leaks Xbox Series X secrets ahead of Christmas unveiling

Gaming giant Microsoft has fired another shot across the bows of rival Sony, unveiling more details of the upcoming Microsoft Xbox Series X gaming console.

Head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, unveils the new Xbox Series X alongside Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II at The Game Awards 2019 at the Microsoft Theatre last year. He has now revealed more details.

Gaming giant Microsoft has fired another shot across the bows of rival Sony, unveiling more details of the upcoming Microsoft Xbox Series X gaming console.

The console, set for launch around Christmas, is the successor to the current Xbox One X platform and will likely be going head-to-head with the Sony PlayStation 5 console in the key Christmas and holiday sales market.

Sharing the new Series X details in an announcement on Tuesday morning, Xbox head Phil Spencer said the team were well aware gamers had very high hopes for the new generation of consoles.

“We know you expect the next generation of consoles to set new standards in graphical power and processing speed, converging together in games that look incredible and feel alive,” he said.

“This will be defined by worlds that are visually astounding and immediately immersive, with innovative leaps in central processing unit, graphics processing unit and storage technology to give you frictionless access to new stories and new creators constantly.

“Compared to the previous generation, Xbox Series X represents a superior balance of power and speed in console design, advancing on all technological fronts to delivering amazing, dynamic, living worlds and minimise any aspects that can take you out of the experience.”

Mr Spencer said the console will have a custom-designed AMD processor, delivering four times the processing power of the Xbox One X and providing up to 12 Teraflops of graphical processing unit performance; described as twice that of the One X and 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 frame rates, larger, more sophisticated game worlds, and an immersive experience unlike anything seen in console gaming,” Mr Spencer said.

Other confirmed features for the Series X include variable rate shading and hardware accelerated DirectX Raytracing (a graphics enhancement currently only found on specialist gaming PC graphics cards), understood to be a console first.

Other confirmed features include a Solid State Drive (SSD) for storage, a ‘Quick Resume’ feature, allowing gamers to keep multiple games in a state of suspended play so they can switch between titles quickly, improved wireless controller responsiveness, a variable image refresh rate and 120 frames per second display.

The Xbox console family is noted for its backwards compatibility – games designed for previous versions will generally work on newer ones – and Mr Spencer said that would continue with the Series X.

“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,” he said.

“Your favourite 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.

“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.

Mr Spencer said the Xbox Series X will be the company’s “fastest, most powerful console ever” and “designed for a console generation that has you (gamers) at its centre”.

“This means a high-fidelity gaming experience enclosed in a quiet and bold design, with the ability to discover thousands of games across four generations, all with more playing and less waiting,” he said.

“We can’t wait to share more details about the new Xbox with you in the coming months.”

The announcement puts the ball into Sony’s court, especially given Microsoft will be front and centre at this year’s E3 gaming expo in Los Angeles (currently scheduled for June, Coronavirus outbreak permitting), where they will almost certainly be using their keynote presentation to unveil more details of the Series X console, potentially including pricing.

Regardless of which console individual gamers ultimately prefer, it is clear the coming generation of consoles are going to be powerful, capable units which unlock even more potential for games as an entertainment medium and art form.