Say goodbye to Project Scarlett, because that code name has been dropped in favour of an official moniker. From now on, Microsoft’s next console will be known as the Xbox Series X.
Introduced at tonight’s Video Game Awards show, the Xbox Series X is a beast. With a look that reminds us of a PC tower, it’s a black behemoth that can apparently sit either vertically or horizontally. We got our first glimpse at the device during the show, when a celebratory trailer introduced it to the world.
During an interview with Gamespot, Phil Spencer stated that the Xbox Series X will be quiet despite its goal of being the most powerful console on the market. He went on to say that the controller will be slightly smaller, and will feature an improved directional pad, which was a downside of the previous two Xbox controllers. The company plans to go all out for E3, and will show us a lot more then, but those who are interested in using their Xbox One accessories (and games) need not worry. Not only will the Series X offer access to thousands of games from the Xbox One and Xbox 360 libraries, but it will also allow accessories from the One. Its controller will also be usable on PC, but that’s not a surprise.
Perhaps the most interesting bits of information we gleamed from the interview, are the console’s size and its ability to suspend and resume multiple games at once. According to Phil, the hardware is 12″ by 6″.
Hellblade II: Senua’s Saga was also revealed tonight, through an incredible trailer. Featuring stunning visuals and memorable presentation, it’s one of the better trailers we’ve seen in some time. We’re also happy to hear that the original game is getting a sequel, because it was absolutely fantastic, and deserved to be a Game of the Year contender.
As expected, the Xbox Series X is targeting next year’s holiday season.