Microsoft sheds light on its next-gen console strategy, Project Scarlett

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Going into E3, it was unclear if any hardware announcements would be made from the console titans. Then Microsoft’s showcase started and we were told about the next-generation of Xbox hardware – Project Scarlett.

At least, we got an overview of the capabilities of one of the upcoming consoles, and a pretty awesome list of games.

Project Scarlett from Microsoft isn’t just a name

Microsoft Insider Brad Sams says that Project Scarlett isn’t just the console, it’s the name for Microsoft’s next-gen console strategy.

That means multiple consoles, just like how the Xbox One S and Xbox One X are the base and high-end models of the current-gen. It also means that Project Scarlett will encompass whatever Xbox decides to call its own game streaming services (assuming that’s still a thing).

Here’s what we know now:

• Project Scarlett will be coming “Holiday 2020” (so start saving, presumably)
• Backward compatibility will continue, with all prior Xbox generations supported
• It’s powered by a custom-designed Zen 2 processor from AMD, paired with AMD’s next-generational RDNA GPU (Navi) and GDDR6 RAM
• It’ll be capable of up to 8K resolutions, 120fps and has variable refresh rate capability
• A custom-designed SSD will be used as virtual RAM
• Xbox says it’s 4 times as powerful as the current Xbox One X
• Halo Infinite will be a launch title, the first time since the original Xbox that a Halo game has been a Day 1 title, with Halo: CE

With the same core hardware as the PlayStation 5 (which also uses a custom Zen 2 CPU and Navi GPU), it will be interesting to see how differently they play when released. Xbox seems to be betting big on cross-play and PC, with Sony still standing in a corner sulking.

What do you think? Interested in Project Scarlett and new Xbox consoles? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Joe Rice-Jones

Maker, meme-r, and unabashed geek with nearly half a decade of blogging experience at KnowTechie, SlashGear and XDA Developers. If it runs on electricity (or even if it doesn't), Joe probably has one around his office somewhere, with particular focus in gadgetry and handheld gaming. Shoot him an email at joe@knowtechie.com.