Phil Spencer shares more details on what to expect from the Xbox Series X

‘The Next Generation of Gaming’

The next generation of gaming is nearly here. For some, that means excitement, launch parties, and endless gaming marathons. For others, it’s a serious case of FOMO as they roll their eyes at the prospect of spending over $1000 on two new consoles at once (or in some cases, roughly $500-$600 on just one of them).

But alas the next gen is coming, and Xbox boss Phil Spencer is sharing a bit more info on the Xbox Series X in one very simple breakdown article. Some of it was previously confirmed, but here are the big takeaways that Spencer wants to share, mostly in the form of stats thrown at you: 12 teraflops (the main event), variable rate shading, hardware accelerated DirectX Raytracing, quick resume for multiple games and smart delivery.

So let’s break that down. That “12 teraflops” stat is in relation to the GPU, which is “eight times” as powerful as the Xbox One and two times that of the Xbox One X, which is already the most powerful console around. Variable rate shading (or VRS for short) basically translates to higher frame rates and resolution through some visual magic. DirectX Raytracing, a tech buzz word I’m sure you’ve heard a lot of recently, essentially relates to enhanced in-game lighting effects and physics systems. Quick resume is just like it sounds: you can instantly return to suspended games sans loading screens. Smart delivery is basically a way to more accurately show consumers which version of a game they’re buying (older gen or newer gen), which can double as cross-buy.

You’ll also get some bells and whistles, like SSD storage (something Sony is aiming for with the PS5), DLI (more precise control latency), HDMI 2.1 (better refresh rates and TV compatibility), support for 120 FPS, “four generations of gaming” that includes original Xbox games through Xbox One backward support and the return of Xbox Game Pass.

You can find the full aggregate rundown of the Xbox Series X’s features below. Now we just wait to see who blinks first when it comes to pricing.

What You Can Expect From the Next Generation of Gaming [Xbox]

Xbox Series X features:

• Next Generation Custom Processor: Xbox Series X is our most powerful console ever powered by our custom designed processor leveraging AMD’s latest Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures. Delivering four times the processing power of an Xbox One and enabling developers to leverage 12 TFLOPS of GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) performance – twice that of an Xbox One X and more than eight times the original Xbox One. Xbox Series X delivers a true generational leap in processing and graphics power with cutting edge techniques resulting in higher framerates, larger, more sophisticated game worlds, and an immersive experience unlike anything seen in console gaming.

• Variable Rate Shading (VRS): Our patented form of VRS empowers developers to more efficiently utilize the full power of the Xbox Series X. Rather than spending GPU cycles uniformly to every single pixel on the screen, they can prioritize individual effects on specific game characters or important environmental objects. This technique results in more stable frame rates and higher resolution, with no impact on the final image quality.

• Hardware-accelerated DirectX Raytracing: You can expect more dynamic and realistic environments powered by hardware-accelerated DirectX Raytracing – a first for console gaming. This means true-to-life lighting, accurate reflections and realistic acoustics in real time as you explore the game world.

• SSD Storage: With our next-generation SSD, nearly every aspect of playing games is improved. Game worlds are larger, more dynamic and load in a flash and fast travel is just that – fast.

• Quick Resume: The new Quick Resume feature lets you continue multiple games from a suspended state almost instantly, returning you to where you were and what you were doing, without waiting through long loading screens.

• Dynamic Latency Input (DLI): We’re optimizing latency in the player-to-console pipeline starting with our Xbox Wireless Controller, which leverages our high bandwidth, proprietary wireless communication protocol when connected to the console. With Dynamic Latency Input (DLI), a new feature which synchronizes input immediately with what is displayed, controls are even more precise and responsive.

• HDMI 2.1 Innovation: We’ve partnered with the HDMI forum and TV manufacturers to enable the best gaming experience through features such as Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). ALLM allows Xbox One and Xbox Series X to automatically set the connected display to its lowest latency mode. VRR synchronizes the display’s refresh rate to the game’s frame rate, maintaining smooth visuals without tearing. Ensuring minimal lag and the most responsive gaming experience.

• 120 fps Support: With support for up to 120 fps, Xbox Series X allows developers to exceed standard 60 fps output in favor of heightened realism or fast-paced action.

• Four generations of gaming: Our commitment to compatibility means existing Xbox One games, including backward-compatible Xbox 360 and original Xbox games, look and play better than ever before. Your favorite games, including titles in Xbox Game Pass, benefit from steadier framerates, faster load times and improved resolution and visual fidelity – all with no developer work required. Your Xbox One gaming accessories also come forward with you.

• Smart Delivery: This technology empowers you to buy a game once and know that – whether you are playing it on Xbox One or Xbox Series X – you are getting the right version of that game on whatever Xbox you’re  playing on. We’re making the commitment to use Smart Delivery on all our exclusive Xbox Game Studios titles, including Halo Infinite, ensuring you only have to purchase a title once in order to play the best available version for whichever Xbox console they choose to play on. This technology is available for all developers and publishers, and they can choose to use it for titles that will be release on Xbox One first and come to the Xbox Series X later.

• Xbox Game Pass: In addition to games from across four generations of consoles, our leading game subscription service, Xbox Game Pass, will continue to have our first party games, like Halo Infinite, included at their launch.  We look forward to millions of you experiencing the Xbox Game Pass portfolio and immersing yourselves in a deep library of high-quality games, playing those you love now and also discovering your next great adventure.