Xbox Project Scarlett
Microsoft’s next-generation offering isn’t planning on making you seeing red
Getting games to run at 60 frames per second in 4K is the goal for the console
While we’d probably all like to think ourselves above terms like ‘console wars’, the game industry is looking ahead to next year’s holiday season with interested, if not quite bloodthirsty, eyes. After a generation at least initially dominated by PS4, Microsoft has everything to play for with its nextgeneration console. And, because it likes code names, we’re stuck repeatedly saying Project Scarlett instead of just Xbox Two or whatever. The good news is that despite not knowing its official name, we have plenty of details on Microsoft’s future tech. Some of it might just be very familiar if you didn’t skip the last page.
Project Scarlett will be making the most of a custom AMD processor with Zen 2 technology and a custom AMD Navi graphics chip. Yes, this is distinctly similar to the tech at work in the PS5, but the word custom is key here. While the internals are probably the most similar we’ve ever seen when it comes to Xbox versus PlayStation, the ways the tech is utilised can be completely different. Microsoft has also happily announced that Project Scarlett will have GDDR6 high-bandwidth RAM as well as a custom SSD to create a console four times more powerful than the current Xbox One X. Just like Sony with the PS5, Microsoft is relying on the higher read speeds of a solid state drive. It hasn’t discussed the operating system or interface, but expect a similar installation-based setup to PS5 to make everything as seamless as possible.
While Microsoft has said that Project Scarlett will support 8K, true 4K gaming is the target here. Head of Xbox Phil Spencer has discussed at length that getting games to run at 60 frames per second in 4K is the design goal for the console. Ray tracing again comes as standard, with dedicated cores specifically for the visual tech to run as seamlessly as possible. And we even know the first game to turn this all into reality.
Halo: Infinite is the only known first-party game for the Project Scarlett launch. When it comes to a choice of titles though, it looks like Microsoft might just trump PlayStation 5 for day one.
CLOUD MINE
Not only is Project Scarlett backwards compatible for all Xbox One games, you’ll also be able to play all your original Xbox and Xbox 360 games at launch using the optical drive. Praise Viva Piñata! Unless you have some kind of emotional attachment to those probably very dusty consoles and SCART to HDMI adaptors, you’re only going to need one box under your TV from now on.
The even better news is that if your favourite games are yours via Xbox Game Pass, those will be transferring to Project Scarlett too. Phil Spencer confirmed at XO 2019 that Microsoft’s impressive subscription service will be making the trip to the next gen with all of its games and saves attached. Given that Game Pass has quickly become the most attractive game subscription service available, with a huge number of titles included, this is a serious win for Microsoft.
FAMILY AFFAIR
It’s also important to note that Project Scarlett will happily run alongside your Windows PC. Microsoft is big on the Xbox ‘family’ and that includes your time at a gaming PC. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate also hands over PC access to a stack of games and, with the addition of Project xCloud – Microsoft’s new gaming streaming service to take on Google Stadia – you’ll be able to access your games and achievements wherever you are. It’s an area Sony hasn’t quite caught up on, despite a renewed promise to improve on PlayStation Remote Play. Microsoft has a sprawling network of ways to access content that, if you’re already even a small part of it, makes owning Project Scarlett a natural progression.
Unlike PS5, there has been no big reveal or even discussion around Project Scarlett’s controller. However, given the latest Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 release this year, it’s clear that Microsoft is currently doubling down on the tech to make you feel like a pro. Chances are that the console isn’t going to come with one of these - we can always hope - but the focus on adjustable tension thumbsticks, grip, and customisation is a hint that Microsoft is staying away from what could be seen as gimmicks. Although, without the more detailed haptic feedback available on both PS5 and even the Nintendo Switch, Microsoft might be missing out if it doesn’t up its vibration game significantly. We do know that all previous Xbox headsets and controllers have been confirmed to be forwards compatible with the console. Although, perhaps don’t bet on Kinect making the upgrade…
And finally, there’s the small matter of price. Sony hasn’t even touched on the cost of its console, while Microsoft’s Phil Spencer has said that it will not be “out of position on power or price”. Given Microsoft’s misstep in pricing at the start of the Xbox One generation, this could mean that we get a dangerously good deal on Project Scarlett as it outprices the competition. The main cost for both console makers is going to be that SSD storage, so it will be interesting to see what size the initial capacity of both is. Regardless, Project Scarlett’s impressive array of launch games via Xbox Game Pass and backwards compatibility makes for a ludicrously enticing 4K package, even without the bells and whistles that Sony has already revealed for PS5.