MICROSOFT is preparing to reveal top-secret news about the Xbox Series X next week.
The long-awaited console is coming later this year – but is still shrouded in mystery.
The futuristic cube-shaped gaming machine was first teased last year.
And Microsoft recently confirmed that the console would deliver a mammoth 12 teraflops of performance – eight times more than the original Xbox One.
Originally, Microsoft planned to offer up more Xbox Series X details at the Games Developer Conference, but that’s been delayed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
So gamers will now receive juicy Xbox news via a livestream instead.
We don’t know exactly what Microsoft will announce during its hour-long livestream on March 18.
But there are plenty of details still missing about the console.
We could find out more about the console’s hardware, its launch games, and perhaps an exact release date.
Fans will also be keen to find out the Xbox Series X price. Rival Sony has also avoided telling the world about the PS5’s price, too.
Analysts have predicted that the two consoles could cost as much as $500/£500, given their impressive hardware.
But we simply don’t know the truth, and might not for a while.
Both consoles are expected to go on sale during the 2020 holiday season, just before Christmas.
So official pricing could come very late in the year.
Just last month, Microsoft released new info about the Xbox Series X.
“We know you expect the next generation of consoles to set new standards in graphical power and processing speed, converging together in games that look incredible and feel alive,” said Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox.
“This will be defined by worlds that are visually astounding and immediately immersive, with innovative leaps in CPU, GPU and storage technology to give you frictionless access to new stories and new creators constantly.”
The headline news was that the Xbox Series X will deliver 12-teraflops of processing power.
Teraflops refers to the number of operations a processor can handle at a given time.
The new Xbox will be able to have 12trillion “operations” every single second.
For context, that’s twice as powerful as the Xbox One X – and eight times better than the original Xbox One.
Phil calls this a “true generational leap” and promises higher framerates, and “larger, more sophisticated game worlds”.
Microsoft is also pledging to reduce waiting times for gaming generally.
Games should load more quickly due to a faster storage drive.
And there’s a Quick Resume feature that sounds like a hardcore gamer’s dream.
“The new Quick Resume feature lets you continue multiple games from a suspended state almost instantly,” Phil explained.
“Returning you to where you were and what you were doing, without waiting through long loading screens.”
Microsoft is also making the old Xbox games backwards-compatible, describing it as “four generations of gaming”.
You’ll be able to play original Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox One games on the new console.
And these games should be improved by steadier framerates, faster loading times and improved resolution.
In other news, Samsung phones can now play Xbox and PS4 games with the new Google Stadia app.
Sony has already sent the official PS5 website live.
And both new consoles are expected to have thousands of games ready at launch.
Are you excited for the Xbox Series X launch? Let us know in the comments!
