Microsoft Reveals Xbox Series X Specs, ‘Smart Delivery’ Feature

Today Microsoft unveiled new hardware details and features for its upcoming next generation console, Xbox Series X.

As detailed in a Xbox Wire post from Xbox head Phil Spencer, the Series X will house a custom AMD processor that boasts 12 teraflops of power for developers to take advantage of. The console will also have hardware-accelerated DirectX ray tracing and variable rate shading which will contribute to next-level graphical fidelity.

The Xbox Series X will also aim to minimize wait times by a substantial amount come next generation. To do this, Microsoft is offering internal SSD storage, innovative HDMI 2.1, 120 fps support, and dynamic latency input (DLI) for wireless controllers. DLI will reduce controller latency and optimize on-screen input. The new console will also offer a new feature called “quick resume,” allowing players to suspend multiple games at once with little-to-no load time when resuming.

As far as next-gen features, the Series X will be fully backwards compatible with all past generations of Xbox. The big new feature, however, is what Microsoft is calling “Smart Delivery;” this will allow developers to opt-in to a ‘buy once, play anywhere’ feature. In other words, players will be able to purchase a game on Xbox One and play it on the Series X (and vice versa) without needing to purchase an additional copy.

Cyberpunk 2077 was used as the first example of what Smart Delivery means for the future of Xbox.

Gamers should never be forced to purchase the same game twice or pay for upgrades. Owners of #Cyberpunk2077 for Xbox One will receive the Xbox Series X upgrade for free when available. https://t.co/nfkfFLj85w

— Cyberpunk 2077 (@CyberpunkGame) February 24, 2020

Games from previous generations will experience visual and technical improvements with no work needed from the developers. Additionally, Xbox Game Pass will be a continued service moving into next generation, with plans to continue offering first-party releases on day one.

At The Game Awards 2019, Xbox showed off a trailer for the upcoming Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II. Spencer emphasized that the trailer takes full advantage of the the new console’s technology.

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