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E3 2019 - Microsoft shows off next-gen Project Scarlett console

E3 2019 - Microsoft shows off next-gen Project Scarlett console

Microsoft has revealed that its next console codenamed Project Scarlett is launching in holiday 2020.

Announced during E3 2019, head of Xbox Phil Spencer was keen to position Microsoft's next generation platform to gamers, rather than as an entertainment hub, as had been the original pitch for the Xbox One.

"We heard you, a console should be designed build and optimised for one thing and one thing only: gaming," said Spencer.

Microsoft executives touted features such as 120fps, GDDR6 RAM, real-time ray-tracing and 8K resolution. The hardware will be powered by a custom CPU based on AMD's Zen 2 and Radeon RDNA architecture.

The console is set to launch late next year with Halo Infinite as a launch title.

Cross-platform future

While Microsoft is launching new console hardware, its future appears to be across numerous devices.

During a video reveal Microsoft stated: "when we think about the future of gaming, it's not just PC, it's not just console, it's not just mobile, it's really all of the above".

Spencer stated meanwhile that Project Scarlett would be the "foundation of our future in console" as well as the "formation of our future in the cloud".

Into the cloud

During the E3 press conference, Microsoft announced that players would be able to turn their own Xbox One into a free xCloud server.

Project xCloud is designed to let users play their Xbox games on any device, including mobile, from any location.

This new announcement means that, not just being able to stream from Microsoft's own data centres, users can now stream games from their own console to other devices.

E3 attendees will be able to get a hands-on with xCloud this week.

Given Microsoft is eyeing a future where it's games are accessible everywhere, it's likely that Project xCloud will be a part of Project Scarlett when it launches in holiday 2020.

This story originally appeared on PocketGamer.biz


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Craig Chapple is a freelance analyst, consultant and writer with specialist knowledge of the games industry. He has previously served as Senior Editor at PocketGamer.biz, as well as holding roles at Sensor Tower, Nintendo and Develop.