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Microsoft's new Xbox will be world's most powerful console

Microsoft's "Project Scorpio" has been revealed, with details of the slightly more prosaic-soundi...
Newstalk
Newstalk

11.08 12 Jun 2017


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Microsoft's new Xbox w...

Microsoft's new Xbox will be world's most powerful console

Newstalk
Newstalk

11.08 12 Jun 2017


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Microsoft's "Project Scorpio" has been revealed, with details of the slightly more prosaic-sounding Xbox One X emerging ahead of the E3 games conference this week.

Billed as the world's most powerful home console, aiming to rub shoulders with your average gaming PC and created with developers in mind, at a retail price of €499 it will also be far more expensive than its Sony rival. 

The Xbox One X will hit all markets from November 7th, with Microsoft showcasing a record 42 games in its Sunday briefing, including 22 console exclusives.

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As you would expect given the uniform name, your old Xbox One games and accessories will be compatible with the new machine. 

Microsoft say it will boast 40% more power than any other console, offering "immersive 4k gaming when paired with a 4K display."

Better textures, smoother frame rates and faster load times are also promised from the console, which is smaller and sleeker than its predecessors.

Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, said at the LA presser:

“Xbox empowers game developers large and small to create different types of games for every type of player.

"Not only do we have the biggest cross-platform blockbusters on our platform, we’ve also scoured the world to bring our fans unique content from creative artists that capture the imagination.”

A host of popular titles including Gears of War 4Resident Evil 7, Final Fantasy 15 and Minecraft will receive free updates to take advantage of the added computing oomph. 

New titles receiving their world premieres included Assassin's Creed Origins (Ubisoft), Code Vein (Bandai Namco) and Forza Motorsport 7 (an Xbox One and Windows 10 exclusive).

The launch cost was met with a lukewarm reaction from the gaming community, with many comparing it unfavourably to Sony's PlayStation 4 Pro, which launched last November and currently retails for roughly €100 less.

There are also murmurings that Sony will announce that it is cutting the price further at its own E3 press conference.

The Xbox One X's six teraflop graphics processor and 1172 Mhz CPU does far outstrip the PS4 Pro's 4.2 teraflop graphics processing unit and 911 Mhz CPU, however.

With Xbox One having fallen behind the PS4 in sales terms, it looks unlikely that this is the kind of announcement that will turn the tables.

Market Analyst IHS Digital is predicting 500,000 Xbox One sales in 2017, with games director Piers Harding-Rolls stating of the new addition:

“Crucially, we do not believe that, at this stage, Xbox One X is a device to re-ignite Xbox One sales in continental Europe and to gain market share from Sony in key sales territories outside of USA and UK.”


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