UPDATE: Ars Technica is now reporting a developer has confirmed that work is in progress for VR titles for the new Xbox console rumored to appear in 2017.
A new rumor about a Microsoft project called Xbox Scoprio can join the other console rumors popping up ahead of E3 about an upgraded PS4 and whatever the Nintendo NX will be like. As first reported by Kotaku and corroborated by Polygon, Microsoft’s new Xbox plans have leaked, with rumors suggesting two different Xbox consoles coming within the next few years.
One of the consoles detailed in the report is an “Xbox Slim” model for the Xbox One set to release soon, possibly in August. This new Xbox One version is said to be the smallest Xbox console released, and might even come packed with a whopping 2 TB hard drive. The rumors are also suggesting this new slim Xbox One will come with 4K video playback capabilities.
As for an upgraded machine, Microsoft is reportedly working on “Project Scorpio.” This new Xbox is aiming to be the most powerful console yet released. Based on information given to Polygon, the PlayStation Neo (or 4.5, or whatever it will be called) is aiming for 4.14 Teraflops of processing power, up from the original PS4’s 1.84 teraflops. To compare, Xbox Scorpio specs are rumored to be aiming for 6 teraflops, a massive bump from the original Xbox One’s 1.32 teraflops.
This new console lines up with Microsoft’s internal plan, called “Project Helix.” This project’s goal is to blur the lines between the Xbox One and Windows 10, with games getting released for both simultaneously. We’ve already seen Microsoft take steps in this direction, especially with Quantum Break and Season 3 of Killer Instinct, so this isn’t much of a surprise.
Xbox Scorpio also seems primed to be ready for VR gaming. Sources told Polygon that the upgraded Xbox console will be technically capable of running the Oculus Rift, but Microsoft’s relationship hasn’t changed with Oculus. Don’t expect Microsoft to be buying Oculus any time soon, but expect a strengthening of the professional relationship between the two companies.
So when can we expect to hear anything official from Microsoft? With E3 in just a few weeks, we’ll likely hear an announcement for the Xbox One Slim console around then. Because the PlayStation Neo is rumored to release this Fall, Microsoft might bump the Xbox Scorpio announcements up to E3 as well. Regardless, you can expect some kind of console announcement from Microsoft at E3.
So what do you think? Are you interested in a slimmed-down Xbox One? Are you more interested in how powerful this rumored new console will be? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
