Next Generation Xbox Announced by Microsoft!

Looking to the future…

The next generation of gaming is here, with the announcement of the Xbox Series X. The news came during the 2019 Game Awards and along with it came details and even a first look at the product.

The new console has a considerably different look to previous consoles in the Xbox series. This time Microsoft has opted for a look akin to a computer tower, allowing the console to stand rather than lay on its side. Although Microsoft has revealed that the console will support horizontal orientation, as well as vertical. The console revealed will be black, although other colour variations may be made available. A new version of the Xbox controller will also supposedly be available at launch.

There are rumours that a family of consoles will be released, as the name series suggests. However, Microsoft has not yet hinted that this is the case.

The new Xbox has been revealed to be much more powerful and faster than its predecessor. The specifications are reportedly (via Newsweek) as follows:

• CPU: 8-core targeting around 3.5 GHz.
• GPU: Xbox Series X GPU and custom processor.
• Compute Power: 12 TFLOPS.
• RAM: 13 GB for games, 3 GB for operating system (16 GB total).
• Storage: Custom non-volatile memory express solid-state storage (NVMe SSD).

Microsoft will be pushing for 4K, although are supposedly throwing around ideas of higher resolutions. Xbox Series X will include a disc drive and will be backwards compatible as expected. At least two games have been announced for its launch, those being Halo Infinite and Hellblade: Senua’s Saga.

Below is a trailer released by Microsoft revealing the Xbox Series X, check it out:

Introducing the new Xbox Series X. Power your dreams. #XboxSeriesX #PowerYourDreams pic.twitter.com/3r0WtUs9xG

— Xbox (@Xbox) December 13, 2019

An improved cloud saving system will be integrated into the console, which will also allow more cross-play with certain games and features, specifically with PC. It will also allow for cross-save, where save data can be shared across systems.

No price or exact release date has been revealed just yet, but more may become available as the year progresses. Sony is yet to give any new information on the PS5 also, so expect that sooner rather than later. The Xbox Series X has an expected release window of Holiday 2020.

By Jimmy Ioannou

Images provided by Microsoft