14 DAY TRIAL // In a surprising turn of events, Microsoft has decided to reveal the design of its upcoming gaming console, also known as Project Scarlett, during this year The Game Awards show. The Redmond-based company confirmed its next-generation gaming console will be called Xbox Series X and will arrive on holiday 2020.
No details about specs and price have been revealed, but in an interview with The Verge, Microsoft's Phil Spencer said that his company “will not be out of position on power or price.” Of course, Spencer is talking about the current-generation gaming consoles – Xbox One and PlayStation 4, which were priced differently and not in the former's advantage.
While Sony decided to sell the PlayStation 4 for $400, Microsoft's Xbox One was available for $500 at launch, granted the package included a Kinect sensor in addition to the usual controller.
Apart from the official name, Microsoft revealed the overall design of the console, which looks pretty much like a big box. Many opinions are in favor and against Xbox Series X's new design, but these will come second the moment Microsoft announces the technical specifications and the price of the gaming console.
Alongside Xbox Series X, Microsoft also unveiled the new Xbox Wireless Controller, which features a refined design meant to accommodate an even wider audience, and it also features a new Share button to enable gamers to capture screenshots and game clips easier than ever.
Also, the controller comes with a hybrid D-pad inspired by the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2. And let's not forget that the new Xbox Wireless Controller that will be included with every Xbox Series X will be compatible with Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs.
On the technical side, Microsoft promised its upcoming gaming console will offer 4K graphics at 60fps, with the possibility of up to 120fps, as well as support for VRR (variable refresh rate), and 8K capability. The console will be powered by a custom-designed processor that features the latest Zen 2 and next-generation RDNA architecture from AMD, which allows the console to deliver hardware-accelerated ray tracing.
Last but not least, Microsoft confirmed the Xbox Series X will feature backward compatibility, which means you'll be able to play all the Xbox One games on your new console.