It feels like it was just yesterday when Don Mattrick popped up in a livestream to show off the Xbox One and just how brilliant it would be at transmitting the latest in TV to your eyeballs. That, and it would apparently be pretty fab at delivering some video game content as well. The first few years in the life cycle weren’t exactly the best for Microsoft’s flagship gaming device, what with it having a clunky operating system, underpowered games and a lack of first-party exclusives with which to tempt people over to Team Green’s side.
Over the last couple of years, things have changed for the beleaguered brand. The Xbox One ditched the Kinect hardware that players didn’t care for, funds were pumped into studio acquisitions and the groundwork for a new future was built. If Microsoft has the foundation for a bright new future, then their next console is going to be the house that they build on top of it. Here’s a quick breakdown of what was discussed:
- Four times more powerful than Xbox One X
- 8K Capability
- 120FPS
- HDMI 2.1
- Virtual RAM
- New generation SSDs for zero load screens
- AMD Chipset
- Variable framerate,
- Hardware accelerated ray-tracing
- Zen 2/Navi technology
- State of the art processor
“Power and performance you can feel, defines Project Scarlett,” said Xboss Phil Spencer of the console whose future lies in the cloud. Shown off at E3 2019, not too much detail was revealed but what was streamed out of the Nokia Center wasn’t just a single device. It was an ecosystem that will connect across consoles and ecosystems. Project Scarlett will launch in the 2020 holiday season.
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Last Updated: June 10, 2019
Raptor Rants
June 10, 2019 at 07:08
TRUE 8K o/
Mark Treloar
June 10, 2019 at 07:17
Starting at +-R70000.00
Mark Treloar
June 10, 2019 at 07:17
Anyone thinking about getting Game Pass for PC. Be warned not all games are available in SA store.
G8crasha
June 10, 2019 at 08:15
The only games with the PC version of Game Pass:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-za/store/collections/pcgaVTaz?rtc=1
Thanks for the heads up. I will approach the subscription with caution. On a reddit post though, someone (albeit, not a South African) said they had to purchase the Ultimate version of the pass to get most of the games. I don’t know whether that has any bearing on us.
I had the same issue as in the past with their store – they don’t differentiate very easily between availability on PC and console, or just console. You have to actually go to the game’s store page to see if it is on PC. Really irritating. I wish they would just show PC games when you are browsing the store from a PC, and give the option for seeing console games as well out of choice.
Mark Treloar
June 10, 2019 at 08:31
When I was comparing the 2 stores, just with the basic option. SA store had 63 titles vs 109 for US. Metro Exodus is available in US for example, but not in ours
G8crasha
June 10, 2019 at 08:45
I though as much. Geoff is going to have to maybe update his article to reflect the reality of the matter!
Geoffrey Tim
June 10, 2019 at 09:03
On Windows 10 store and Xbox one you can easily change your region. I had Metro Exodus available to me earlier when I was on UK. Just busy doing some testing to make sure it can easily be changed.
G8crasha
June 10, 2019 at 09:18
Would appreciate some feedback in an article. It would be such a chore to use VPNs for this. I guess changing region wouldn’t be a problem if the limitations on what’s available in SA is simply a case of how MS’s backend system works and not a case of restricted geographical licensing.
Geoffrey Tim
June 10, 2019 at 09:33
Didn’t even have to change anything. The games are Available – even though they’;re not listed. Busy installing Metro Exodus right now. I just checked, and Shenmue is available to download too, despite not showing up in the Game Pass list.
G8crasha
June 10, 2019 at 10:38
Guess I better give get my PSU and boot my PC again. Put my PS4 to bed for a while (it’s been my platform of choice since my PC went down a month ago). Thanks for the feedback.
Geoffrey Tim
June 10, 2019 at 10:38
https://www.criticalhit.net/gaming/dont-worry-xbox-game-pass-for-pc-isnt-limited-in-south-africa/
G8crasha
June 10, 2019 at 08:15
Sorry, but you won’t be playing 8k anytime soon. They cost of the hardware is so excessive! I only seen 4k becoming more common than 1080p in the next year or two. I mean, 4k need to be mainstream first before 8k.
Raptor Rants
June 10, 2019 at 08:23
They’re being clever this time. 8K compatibility. IE: 8K videos at best. Definitely not for gaming
Pieter Kruger
June 10, 2019 at 08:38
Not 1x, not 2x, not even 3x BUT 4X THE POWER OF THE XB1X IS AMAZIIIIIING!!!!
For the Emperor!
June 10, 2019 at 09:49
“the console whose future lies in the cloud” – the only time I want anything in the “cloud”:
– when flying
– when skydiving
– when in the company of a lovely woman.
My gaming should NOT be in the Cloud, other than my save games!