Next-gen consoles are set to launch this year. With that in mind, Xbox Head Phil Spencer shared some new details on the Xbox Series X this morning.
“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. This will be defined by worlds that are visually astounding and immediately immersive,” Spencer writes.
Microsoft is not releasing a detailed spec sheet at this point. However, they are making promises about what the Xbox Series X will be able to deliver. And one of those key features is raytracing.
Dynamic worlds and super-fast load times
Spencer talks about how DirectX Raytracing will allow for “dynamic and realistic environments” with “true-to-life lighting, accurate reflections and realistic acoustics in real-time as you explore the game world.”
Next, he talks about the custom processor. AMD’s latest Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures are powering Xbox Series X. The processing power delivered will be four times that of the Xbox One. Meanwhile, the GPU is eight times more powerful.
Spencer claims that this will allow for “cutting edge techniques resulting in higher framerates, larger, more sophisticated game worlds, and an immersive experience unlike anything seen in console gaming.”
Also, thanks to the solid-state drive, games will load in an instant. Spencer just revealed the Quick Resume feature, which will allow players to pick up multiple games from a suspended state, “returning you to where you were and what you were doing, without waiting through long loading screens.”
Okay, that’s great. But can I play my Xbox 360 and Xbox One games?
The short answer is yes. Spencer promised that first-party games will be available at launch on Xbox Game Pass and detailed how backwards compatibility will work.
“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,” Spencer says. He adds that backwards compatible games will “benefit from steadier framerates, faster load times, and improved resolution and visual fidelity.”
By the way, backwards compatibility will extend to not just games but also Xbox One accessories. That should save you some money and space in your living room.
