Xbox Series X: Microsoft’s next-gen console, formerly Project Scarlett, has a bold design

Microsoft’s next-gen Xbox, previously codenamed Project Scarlett, is now officially Xbox Series X and it has a bold, unique design.

After confirming the next-gen Xbox, codenamed Project Scarlett, would release in during “holiday 2020,” Microsoft officially lifted the curtain and showed off its unique design. They also gave it an official launch name: Xbox Series X.

The Xbox Series X features a bold design, one more reminiscent of a tower PC than a traditional gaming console. It’s basically a rectangular vertical block, like a black brick.

At first glance, it looks rather large. But as GameSpot revealed in an interview with Xbox Head Phil Spencer, it’s square footprint “is roughly as wide as an Xbox One controller and (again, roughly) three times as tall,” so it’s not too bulky. It’s also designed to be placed in a vertical and horizontal orientation, so hopefully, it will fit in my TV unit.

Spencer further elaborated on the design of the Xbox Series X, explaining:

"“We wanted to design a console where the form was driven by the function and the function–as I said–was to really play the highest power, most immersive games possible.”"

Getting a bit more specific regarding the hardware, the Xbox Series X is designed to be quiet with just a single, large fan “pushing high volumes of air out of the top.”  It’s said to be no louder than the Xbox One X.

Microsoft promises the Xbox Series X will be their “fastest, most powerful console ever and set a new bar for performance, speed and compatibility,” which, duh. As a new console, that’s what I would expect.

Microsoft officially unveiled the Xbox Series X during the Game Awards but also had an accompanying post on Xbox Wire. They highlighted the power capability of the Xbox Series X which “delivers four times the processing power of Xbox One X.”

Revealed alongside the Xbox Series X was the new Xbox Wireless Controller which looks largely the same as the current controller. Here’s what Microsoft said about it:

"Its size and shape have been refined to accommodate an even wider range of people, and it also features a new Share button to make capturing screenshots and game clips simple and an advanced d-pad derived from the Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller."

Ninja Theory’s Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II was the game used to showcase the power of the Xbox Series X, which promises “4K at 60FPS, with possibility of up to 120FPS, including support for Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and 8K capability.” Head on over the Xbox Wire for a full rundown on all the fancy technical jargon, which includes Zen2 and RDNA architecture, Variable Rate Shading technology and Auto Low Latency Mode.

Of course, the game most fans are eager to see on Xbox Series X is Halo Infinite, which is supposedly going to be available alongside the console during holiday 2020. Additionally, cross-generation gameplay is expectedt o be available for at least Xbox Game Studios titles.

Microsoft didn’t mention any pricing for Xbox Series X or a specific release date. That said, we should find out more as holiday 2020 is going to be here sooner than you know.