During their press conference from E3 today, Microsoft announced that its next-gen Xbox, codenamed “Project Scarlett” is powered by a custom-designed AMD processor based on cutting-edge AMD Ryzen “Zen 2” CPU technology and a “Navi” Next Gen Radeon™ RDNA Graphics Architecture including hardware accelerated raytracing.
AMD and Microsoft have co-designed and co-engineered a custom, high performance AMD SoC to power Project Scarlett to deliver an incredible gaming experience, including the next-generation of performance, graphics, lighting, visuals, and audio immersion. This processor builds upon the significant innovation of the AMD Ryzen™ "Zen 2" CPU core and a "Navi" GPU based on next-generation Radeon™ RDNA gaming architecture including hardware-accelerated raytracing.
Microsoft Executive Vice President of Gaming Phil Spencer revealed new details about Project Scarlett, which is expected to deliver the most powerful and immersive Xbox experience ever. Project Scarlett is a significant step forward in gaming and will provide developers with the power they require to bring their future creative visions to life with up to 120 frames per second, variable refresh rate, support for up to 8K visuals, and almost non-existent load times. Project Scarlett will also be backwards compatible with all Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games available on Xbox One today – all of which will play better than ever before.
- Microsoft -
Today, Xbox showcased a blockbuster lineup of 60 anticipated games for both console and PC in its Xbox E3 Briefing and shared a glimpse of the future with Project Scarlett, which launches alongside Halo Infinite in 2020. Headlined by the biggest game of 2019, Gears 5, along with over 30 games premiering with Xbox Game Pass, the Xbox E3 Briefing delivered 11 world premieres and a record 14 games from Xbox Game Studios, which will soon include legendary game development studio Double Fine Productions.
The Best Way to Discover Great Games on Console And PC
PC gamers around the world can now join the Xbox Game Pass for PC beta through the new Xbox app, which is available today on Windows 10. Xbox Game Pass for PC is designed specifically for PC gamers with a curated library of over 100 high-quality PC games from over 75 developers and publishers including fan-favorite PC titles like Football Manager 2019, Imperator: Rome, and Metro Exodus.
Xbox also announced the launch of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, a new plan combining the curated games library for console and PC with Xbox Live Gold.
In addition, Xbox announced a variety of new blockbuster games that are available with Xbox Game Pass for Console starting today, including Metro Exodus, Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition, Borderlands: The Handsome Collection, and Batman: Arkham Knight.
The Xbox E3 Briefing also showcased new Xbox Game Studios titles that will premiere in Xbox Game Pass, including Gears 5, Battletoads, Bleeding Edge, The Outer Worlds, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and 25 games from the ID@Xbox program.
Welcoming Double Fine Productions to Xbox Game Studios
Xbox announced today the intent to acquire legendary game development studio Double Fine Productions, which will bring the total number of development studios under Xbox Game Studios to 15. Led by industry veteran Tim Schafer, the addition of this boundlessly creative studio will reinforce the Xbox team’s commitment to developing original content with memorable characters and unexpected stories. Double Fine showcased the long-awaited Psychonauts 2 today on the Xbox E3 stage:
- Psychonauts 2 (Xbox One and Windows 10 PC, Mac, Linux, PlayStation 4)
Razputin Aquato, trained acrobat and powerful young psychic, has realized his lifelong dream of joining the international psychic espionage organization known as the Psychonauts! But these psychic super spies are in trouble. Their leader hasn’t been the same since he was kidnapped, and what’s worse, there’s a mole hiding in their headquarters. Raz must use his powers to stop the mole before they execute their secret plan—to bring the murderous psychic villain, Maligula, back from the dead! Psychonauts 2 launches worldwide in 2020.
The Future of Console Gaming
During its briefing, Xbox demonstrated its commitment to console gaming as a critical choice for players who want a device designed, built and optimized for gaming.
Project Scarlett will set a new bar for console power, speed and performance, arriving Holiday 2020 alongside Halo Infinite. Powered by a custom-designed processor, leveraging the latest Zen 2 and Radeon RDNA architecture from our partners at AMD, Project Scarlett will deliver a new level of immersion. Paired with high bandwidth GDDR6 memory, and a next generation solid state drive (SSD), Project Scarlett will provide developers the power they require to bring their creative visions to life. Featuring hardware accelerated raytracing, variable refresh rate, 8K capability and ultra-low latency input, Project Scarlett will deliver a new level of fidelity, precision and accuracy never before seen in console gaming.
With Project Scarlett, we continue our commitment to compatibility by ensuring your gaming accessories and Xbox career will also move forward with you, along with thousands of games across four console generations which will look and play best on Project Scarlett.
For more information on how Project Scarlett will usher in the future of gaming, watch our reveal video here.
Bringing Xbox to the Cloud
In addition to delivering players the games they want, with the people they want, across console and PC, Xbox is also empowering people to play wherever they want by bringing Xbox to the cloud.
First, Xbox announced the ability to stream games from your Xbox One console, starting in preview this October. With console streaming, gamers will have access to their Xbox One game library and Xbox Game Pass titles on the go, streamed directly from an Xbox One console to a mobile device.
The Xbox E3 Briefing also marked a new milestone for Project xCloud, with E3 2019 attendees being among the first in the world to play Xbox One games like Halo 5: Guardians and Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice streaming on smartphones and tablets. With Project xCloud, Xbox is investing to ensure players have the choice and freedom to play the games they want, with the friends they want, how and where they want.
The World’s Most Advanced Controller
In addition, Xbox unveiled the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2. Inspired by fan feedback, the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 is the world’s most advanced controller, designed with the most passionate gamers in mind.
The Elite Series 2 is the second iteration of the fan-favorite Xbox Elite Wireless Controller and is re-engineered for ultimate performance, customization, and durability, and includes 30 new and improved features such as adjustable-tension thumbsticks, wraparound rubberized grip, shorter hair-trigger locks, and up to 40 hours of rechargeable battery life.
The Elite Series 2 will launch in 24 markets on November 4 for $179.99 USD/£159.99 GPB/€179.99 EUR and is available for preorder now.
The Single Largest Showcase of Games on Stage This Year
Xbox includes every player in its vision for gaming, which starts with unmissable content made for players wherever they are. With thousands of Xbox games in development, Xbox offered glimpses at 60 different games from all over the globe, including blockbusters like Cyberpunk 2077, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and Elden Ring. Xbox fans were also invited to venture into the action-fueled world of CrossfireX, coming first to console on Xbox One in 2020 with special content for Xbox Game Pass members, and into the blocky depths of Minecraft Dungeons, coming to Xbox One and Windows 10 PC, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4.
The Xbox E3 Briefing also marked a celebration of over 30 PC games, including Microsoft Flight Simulator and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, premiering with Xbox Game Pass for PC. Fans also took their first steps into the next worlds being created by Xbox Game Studios, such as Gears 5 and Wasteland 3, and discovered the unexpected with 25 new and wild ID@Xbox titles.
All forthcoming titles from Xbox Game Studios will premiere with Xbox Game Pass.
