Microsoft’s latest gaming console, which until recently has been referred to as “Project Scorpio,” is an upgraded version of the existing Xbox One console. Now known as the Xbox One X, it is set to be the world’s most powerful console yet, but what will the X’s impact be on Microsoft’s gaming platform, and the industry as a whole?
Releasing different versions of existing consoles is nothing new to the industry, but in most cases these changes are minimal: either changing the shape and aesthetic of the console device or adding a bigger internal hard drive for storage. This was certainly the case in consoles like Sony’s “slim” versions of its PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 consoles. Microsoft’s Xbox One S released in August of last year shook this up slightly, adding just enough power to the established Xbox One console to allow for 4K resolution video playback and high dynamic range (HDR) support, but not enough for full dynamic 4K gaming.
The Xbox One X and its equivalent the PlayStation 4 Pro, which was released in November 2016, are setting a new precedent for the industry – that of mid-generation hardware upgrades. Previously when you bought a gaming console you say with certainty that it would stay relevant until the coming of the its successor at the end of the generation six to eight yeas later; in other words, a PS3 bought on release day in 2006 was just as capable as a PS3 bought in 2012, one year before the release of the original PS4. The introduction of the X and the Pro, both of which are consoles with significant hardware upgrades, marks a significant push by companies for better graphical performance with their 4K outputs over the standard 1080p resolution. The Xbox One X boasts the following specs upon release:
- 12GB GDDR5 Graphics Memory
- 6 Teraflop custom GPU, dubbed the “Scorpio Engine”
- 8GB RAM
- 1TB Internal Hard Drive
- Dual Band wireless WiFi and Ethernet port options
- 3 USB 3.0 ports
- 2 HDMI ports @ 60Hz and AMD FreeSync for supported displays
This would indeed make the X “The World’s Most Powerful Console” as the official Xbox website claims, but this comes at a cost. The Xbox One X will be sold in the United States for $500 and R7500 in South Africa and, to make the most of the extra graphical power you just paid for, you’ll also need a 4K ready display, and they aren’t cheap. Whereas the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 debuted when high resolution flat-screen displays were already commonplace, the Pro and X are pushing for 4K when even the cheapest capable monitor will set you back another R5000 or so. This may be an indication that gaming is becoming even more of an ‘elitist hobby.’
The major advantage of consoles over gaming on a PC is that, up until now, they have always been vastly cheaper. While you could get away with playing a few games on your laptop, serious PC gaming demanded a sizable investment in a desktop machine with decent hardware – and this is before you even consider the peripherals like displays, keyboards, mice and more. If a game said PlayStation 3 on the box, then you knew you could play it, and the single controller packaged with most systems was the only peripheral many would need.
While Sony has stated to third party game developers that games must be compatible on both the Pro and the standard PS4, there is a greater level of ambiguity on Microsoft’s part, with its website mentioning “4K exclusives.” While many of the games listed, such as Star Wars Battlefront II, Middle Earth: Shadow of War, Destiny 2 and Call of Duty: WWII will be multi-platform, there may be a time in the near future where the graphical demands of a new game may put it out of reach for owners of the standard Xbox One.
The Xbox One X releases on the 7 of November 2017 and is now available for pre-order from local retailers. It remains to be seen whether these mid-generation upgrades will be to the detriment of the industry, but for now you can rest easy if you already own the Xbox One or Xbox One S. If you don’t, however, and have been looking to get a console recently, now may be a good time to join in all the same.
#XboxOneX
More on the Xbox One X:
https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-x-will-help-grow-the-industry-ubisoft-ceo/1100-6452122/
https://www.neowin.net/news/the-xbox-one-x-isnt-worth-500-according-to-industry-analyst/
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