With the introduction of Sony’s PS4 Pro, Microsoft had to lift the lid on its own high-end console currently in the works: Project Scorpio. While Project Scorpio is many months from a potential release, Microsoft’s own Phil Spencer has provided a number of…
Consoles are, historically, slightly odd. While smartphone manufacturers (and just about everybody else) provide yearly updates to their products to keep them up-to-date, console manufacturers do no such thing. Look at the Xbox 360 – apart from visual upgrades, the console remained largely unchanged in terms of tech throughout its eight-year cycle. However, with the introduction of the likes of the PS4 Pro , Xbox One S and now Project Scorpio, console manufacturers are making an effort to keep consoles in line with their PC brethren. See also: Best games consoles 2017.
Here, we discuss all we know about Microsoft’s upcoming Project Scorpio including release date and pricing rumours, and some of the key features that you can expect from the high-end console. Also see: PS4 vs Xbox One
Last updated with news that Project Scorpio will offer Mixed Reality support in 2018.
Xbox One Scorpio expected release date: Christmas 2017
Xbox One Scorpio expected reveal date: 11 June 2017
So before we get into the nitty gritty of what to expect from Microsoft’s upcoming Project Scorpio, we thought we’d first address one of the most important elements: its release date and pricing. While there’s no solid release date just yet, Microsoft’s Phil Spencer hinted that it’d be with us by Christmas 2017 (or “holidays” as our US counterparts call it) when explaining why the company decided to announce the project so early.
» It’s crazy to announce something this early, but when I put myself in the shoes of our customer, I want to be able to make a choice on what console I want to buy with as much information as possible , » Spencer said. » We want to give you the information to make that decision. We also want to go talk to the developers that are out there today, that are building games for next holiday, and say here’s what you’re going to have at your disposal on the console side. »
Why would Spencer want to “ talk to developers […] that are building games for next holiday ” if the company had no plans for the console to be on the market by then? So, we’ve got a broad 2017 release date. Not the best scoop ever, but at least we know to expect it by Christmas 2017.
However, that doesn’t mean that progress isn’t being made – it’s just not ready to be showcased to the world. In fact, according to Phil Spencer via Twitter , he’s played his first games on the Scorpio. He tweeted that it was a great day, and claims that the games played great and the console looked right, and that he’s very proud of the team (of course!).
More recently, Microsoft has announced an event that’ll take place on Sunday June 11 at 2pm PT (11pm in the UK) where it’s likely that we’ll get our first look at the finished Xbox One Scorpio ahead of its Christmas release. The event is due to take place at E3 2017, the world’s biggest gaming event, making it the perfect opportunity for the company to show off the upcoming console. While there were no fresh clues about what to expect, one thing is for sure: we don’t have long to go now.
Of course, that doesn’t help us narrow down the Xbox One Scorpio’s potential release date, but it does give us an update on the project and an indicator that development is on-schedule for a Christmas 2017 release.
Xbox One Scorpio estimated price: £350-500
But what about pricing? While there’s no confirmation of pricing just yet, Spencer hinted about possible pricing while speaking to The Verge.
» We’re not ready to announce something right now, but you can imagine at the price point of Scorpio – which we haven’t actually said, but think about consoles and where they live in terms of price point – having something at six teraflops that will get millions of people buying it is very attractive to some of the VR companies that are out there already, and we’ve architected it such that something will be able to plug right in and work.
