Following today’s “big” Project Scorpio reveal , we now know a fair bit about Microsoft’s next iteration of the Xbox One. While we don’t know its final name, price or what games will benefit the most from it when it launches, we do know what the Project Scorpio specs are and in a way, know what it can do.
In this rather timely Now Loading, the PlayStation LifeStyle crew reacts to the official Project Scorpio specs that have been revealed, and just what we think of it as a whole. Check out our responses below.
What do you think of Project Scorpio’s specs? Will it even matter if there’s no exclusive games to play on it? Let us know what you think in the comments and let’s get this discussion going!
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Now Loading is a recurring staff-driven feature where PlayStation LifeStyle discusses anything video game-related under the sun (yes, even non-Sony platforms).
Essential Reading:
Now Loading...Xbox Scorpio Specifications Reveal
Now Loading...What Do You Think of the Project Scorpio Specs?
Mack Ashworth
@GamingWithMack
The Scorpio is undoubtedly going to be the most powerful console, and with those specs it's going to leave the PS4 Pro in the dust. But it's also likely to be the most expensive system, and with a lack of exclusive software, it may struggle to sell.
I'm looking forward to seeing Xbox Scorpio at E3, and the new games Microsoft chooses to showcase their powerful new console.
Michael Briers
@briersytweets
Based on those specs alone, Scorpio is not so much an iterative upgrade as it is a new generation of video game hardware. Microsoft is clearly targeting a very small portion of the industry, and will likely compete with the high-end PC market.
But great games and great exclusives move systems, not smoother frame rates and better textures. Granted, today's reveal is only the tip of the iceberg, so I'm intrigued to see how things pan out at E3 in June.
Chandler Wood
@FinchStrife
I still fail to see the real point of Scorpio. It's not a next gen console. It has to run games from this generation in order to not create a gap or divide in the players, and make Xbox One owners feel left in the cold, yet it's the most powerful console ever created? Without the console exclusives to really back it, wouldn't most gamers with that kind of money to blow just get a nice PC anyway? Hardware is only as good as the software that you put out on it, and it feels like Scorpio just fits into a weird place in the market where no one is. Too expensive (probably) for console gamers, and not good enough for PC gamers who already have killer 4K setups.
I think that many will at a glance compare the PS4 Pro and Scorpio, not in specs, but rather in price and how similar they are in being the "4k solution." I fall to see how developers can take hold of Scorpio's tech effectively while also making the game viable on the One, and still justifying all the extra tech specs and cost.
Cameron Teague
@Cameron_PSLS
Specs look great, but I do worry that the market really isn't there for a high end PC like console, especially if they can't deliver more AAA experience exclusive to their console. If the price is too much, it could be in a world of hurt from the beginning.
Tyler Treese
@tylertreese
If Microsoft hopes to succeed here, I think they'll have to eat a lot of the cost. If they can offer the most powerful console and offer up the best home console experience (which will also require them to double down on developing and securing more exclusives), then I think this generation (which has been an extremely weird one so far) will get even more interesting. Either way, I'll probably end up buying the device for work since I never bit on an Xbox One S, and I've wanted to play my Xbox One games in 4K & HDR anyhow. My wallet already hurts thinking about this.
Zarmena Khan
@Zarmena
Those specs sure do sound solid but I'm not sure who the Scorpio is going to appeal to - PC gamers looking for a console or console gamers tip-toeing around buying a PC. Either way, it'll have to be competitively priced and Microsoft is going to have to seriously consider enhancing its lineup before we get too excited about it.
Louis Edwards
@ftwrthtx
If the specs are correct, my two year old PC with an Octocore AMD-FX Black Vishera 8320 is almost twice as fast as the processor in Scorpio. That isn't even a high end PC, but they want how much for it?
Stephen Bitto
@SteveOneder
We all know that Microsoft is desperate to start the next generation but are gamers? PlayStation 4 owners just got Nioh, Horizon, NieR: Automata and Persona 5 so they're in no rush to see PS5. For them, this generation is only just now hitting its stride. Xbox One owners see this and I think that the Xbox Scorpio's powerful (and likely expensive) hardware will simply push people to the PlayStation ecosystem which is flooded with exclusive content for the next 3 years. Finally, releasing specs and pricing first only ensures Sony the opportunity to again release a more powerful yet more affordable console in PS5.
Alex Co
@excaliburps
It's definitely an impressive kit in terms of hardware. However, the big question here, and what I think matters the most to everyone is: what games will benefit from it that can't be played anywhere else?
You can have the most powerful console out in the market, but if there's no games to actually play on it, then who'd want it? Would gamers buy the Scorpio just to play the prettiest third-party games? Maybe, maybe not.
Also, you have to think that given how 99 percent of Xbox One games are available on PC, wouldn't it make more sense just to build a powerful gaming rig, connect an Xbox One controller and have a Scorpio of your own? I know it's not that cut and dry, but you all know what I mean, right?
I'm still very curious how this plays out. And honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft stealthily launches a new console gen when Scorpio launches. By that, I mean, announcing a "Scorpio-only" slate of games a month or two after the console launches.