Upcoming Series X console will play four generations of Xbox games

Executive vice-president of gaming at Microsoft, Phil Spencer, confirmed that the upcoming Xbox Series X will be backward compatible and will play up to four generations of Xbox games.

Spenser begins by saying that the future of gaming “has never been more inspiring”, and that creativity in games is flourishing. He then adds:

“At Xbox, we value being open and transparent with you, and I’m proud to be able to share details about some of the technologies we are enabling for the next generation, and look forward to boldly sharing more as we head towards E3”.   

According to Spenser, the Series X will represent “a superior balance of power and speed in console design”. He says that the “raw power is just part of the story”.

Here’s what to expect from the Xbox Series X

Next Generation Custom Processor

The Series X is Microsoft’s most powerful console. It’s powered by the company’s custom-designed processor which leverages AMD’s latest Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures. Spenser explains:

“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.”

That means that the Series X delivers a true generational leap in processing and graphics power; while incorporating cutting edge techniques that result in higher framerates and a better gaming experience.

Variable Rate Shading (VRS)

Microsoft’s patented form of VRS “empowers developers to more efficiently utilise the full power of the Xbox Series X”. According to Spencer, the technique “results in more stable frame rates and higher resolution”.

“Rather than spending GPU cycles uniformly to every single pixel on the screen, they can prioritise individual effects on specific game characters or important environmental objects”.

Hardware-accelerated DirectX Raytracing 

Gamers can expect “more dynamic and realistic environment powered by hardware-accelerated DirectX Raytracing” something that no other gaming console can claim.

“This means true-to-life lighting, accurate reflections and realistic acoustics in real-time as you explore the game world.”

Backward compatibility

Xbox is continuing its commitment to compatibility. That means that the Series X will be able to play Xbox One games, including selected Xbox 360 and original Xbox games, will be playable on the new console.

“Your favourite 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”.

SSD storage and 120 fps

As for what to expect from the Xbox, Microsoft is packing a lot of power into their unassuming new console. The box makes the console look more like a PC case than a console; which is an interesting decision.

The Xbox Series X model will be backward compatible. That means it will support games from the four previous generations. In addition, it will ship with an AMD Zen 2 CPU and GDDR6 memory and custom SSD storage.

The addition of the SSD storage means the end of jarring load screens and that’s a win on any day of the year. The Xbox will also offer 4K graphics at 60fps, as well as support for ray-tracing, 8K, and 120 fps.