Xbox Scorpio will see 'the very best console version of games'
Chief Phil Spencer reveals that Microsoft's E3 preparations are already underway

A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Microsoft's high-powered Xbox Scorpio games console looks set to make its public debut at Electronic Entertainment Expo E3 next month - and company chief Phil Spencer says fans won't be disappointed.
Asked on Twitter whether Call of Duty and Destiny 2 will see graphical improvements on the new system, Spencer said he was "very confident" Xbox Scorpio will see "the very best console version of games this year".
Microsoft says the new system will be powered by a custom 2.3GHz processor that will help run games at 4K resolution and 60fps, a significant improvement over the Xbox One, which often runs games at a resolution of 1080p and 30fps.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Digital Foundry reported that a version of the Forza Motorsport racing series was able to run at 4K and 60fps with only 60 to 70 per cent of the system's processing power being used.
After teasing the console at last year's E3 games show, Microsoft is expected to debut the system at the event next month and reveal its "official name and price", GameSpot says.
Meanwhile, Spencer also told Twitter that preparations for Microsoft's E3 conference are underway.
He says that the company recently completed its "first end to end run through" of its conference and that the room will be "full" of people.
E3 runs from 13 to 15 June.
Xbox chief assures fans there are 'no issues' with Project Scorpio
8 May
Microsoft's Project Scorpio, its most powerful Xbox console to date, is on course to make its public debut next month, its chief executive told fans this week.
Questioned on Twitter over whether the system will meet its release date, Phil Spencer said the schedule "looks very good right now" and that there were "no issues" to report.
Although an official release window has yet to be confirmed, Project Scorpio is expected to play a prominent role at next month's E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo).
TechCrunch says Microsoft will "fully unveil" the console on 11 June, along with technical specifications. A host of software developers are also believed to be ready to demonstrate how the system improves the graphics on their games.
Some details of the hardware specs have already been released. Digital Foundry reports it will feature a custom eight-core processor clocked at 2.3GHz - around 0.2GHz more than its PlayStation 4 Pro rival.
The website also confirms that games will receive a noticeable graphics boost, with a Forza Motorsport demo able to run at 4K resolution with a locked 60fps frame rate.
Nor is it only new games that make use of the console's extra horsepower. The Verge says existing Xbox One and 360 titles "will see a noticeable performance boost".
Prices and a release date will be confirmed during Microsoft's E3 conference, although TechRadar says Project Scorpio could cost around £400 and hit store shelves "around the holiday season".
Xbox Scorpio games to run at 4k and 60fps
07 April
Performance and hardware specifications have been revealed for Microsoft's upcoming Xbox Scorpio, which makes its public debut at the Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3) in June.
The company teased fans about what to expect from its high-performance gaming system at last year's event, promising "true 4K" resolution and 60fps gameplay in a home console.
[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_original","fid":"105718","attributes":{"class":"media-image"}}]]
They seem ambitious targets – Microsoft's most recent system, the Xbox One S is only able to run games at a maximum 1080p resolution and a 60fps frame rate.
However, Digital Foundry has had an early hands-on with an Xbox Scorpio development mule and its initial impressions appear to back up the claims.
According to its report, a Forza Motorsport tech demo was able to run at a 4K resolution and a locked frame rate of 60fps.
It adds that the new console will feature a custom eight-core processor clocked at 2.3GHz,
0.2GHz more than its PlayStation 4 Pro rival and 0.55GHz more than the current Xbox One S.
As well as this, the custom graphics processor has also been greatly improved over the One S, with Digital Foundry reporting the new unit runs at 1172MHz - a substantial increase over the current 914MHz chip.
It also appears there's more power in reserve. The Verge says the Forza demo only used "60 to 70 per cent" of the graphics processor.
Existing Xbox One and Xbox 360 games "will see a noticeable performance boost", continues the site, although it is not yet known how they will be affected.
While the console's PS4 Pro rival could only improve the graphics on a select few games at launch, TechRadar reports that a recent patch for Sony's range-topping system features a "Boost Mode" that increases the graphics quality on all PS4 games.
Prices have yet to be revealed, but it's reported the Scorpio could cost around £400 at launch. This would make it around £50 more than the PS4 Pro and £200 more than the Xbox One S.
More details, including price and the console's form factor, will be revealed at Microsoft's E3 conference in June.
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
-
Elix, part of Mar-Bella Collection review: a Greek beachside oasis
The Week Recommends This family-friendly resort offers access to a beautiful beach
By Kaye O'Doherty Published
-
The Indigenous referendum splitting the Australian public
The Explainer The referendum would form a federal body of Aboriginal people in Australia
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Who is Laphonza Butler, California's new senator and champion of labor?
Why Everyone's Talking About Butler has served as the president of pro-choice advocacy group EMILY's List
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Microsoft, Activision and the battle with competition tsars
Talking Point A giant gaming deal has highlighted the shifting attitudes of global regulators
By The Week Staff Published
-
AI and Big Tech: busted flush or next gold rush?
Talking Point Generative AI start-ups won $1.37bn in investment last year – almost as much as the five previous years combined
By Arion McNicoll Published
-
Google’s Bard: AI chatbot makes $100bn mistake
Speed Read An error during Google’s demonstration of its new ChatGPT rival instantly wiped 9% off the tech firm’s value
By Arion McNicoll Published
-
Chatbot wars: Google launches Bard to take on ChatGPT
Under the Radar Search giant’s first foray into generative AI sets the scene for new conflict among Big Tech companies
By Jamie Timson Published
-
Pong at 50: the video game that ‘changed the world’
Under the Radar Atari’s breakthrough invention remains a ‘touchstone’ in the history of gaming
By Julia O'Driscoll Published
-
Lamborghini V12 Vision Gran Turismo: a preview of the rumoured Aventador successor?
In Depth Radical virtual concept to join Gran Turismo Sport roster next spring
By The Week Staff Published
-
Microsoft ‘Project Silica’: is glass the future of mass storage?
In Depth Tech giant teams up with Warner Bros to store Superman movie on ultra-tough silica glass panel
By The Week Staff Published
-
Windows 10X: what is it and which devices can use it?
In Depth Microsoft bets on foldable tablets despite some rivals developing bendable devices
By The Week Staff Last updated