Xbox Project Scarlett is focused on high frame rates, quick loading times, and playability, says Microsoft

Xbox Project Scarlett
(Image credit: Microsoft)

Xbox head Phil Spencer has gone into detail about Microsoft's upcoming next-gen Xbox Series X. In a recent in-depth interview with Gamespot, Spencer went into detail about Microsoft's main aims for next-gen: 

“I think the area that we really want to focus on next generation is frame rate and playability of the games,” Spencer explained. Spencer then outlined that Microsoft hope to achieve this by ensuring that the games load incredibly fast and run at the highest frame rate possible. 

“This generation, we’ve really focused on 4K visuals and how we bring both movies through 4K Blu-ray and video streaming,” Spencer said, “and with Xbox One X allowing games to run at 4K visuals will make really strong visual enhancements next generation.” 

With a focus on high frame rates and fast loading times, Spencer went on to outline that playability is a “bigger focus” for Microsoft when it comes to its next-gen console. The Xbox head explained that it is targeting concerns such as getting the game to load as fast as possible while it’s playing, as well as putting a lot of consideration into how it looks and feels to play. 

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(Image credit: © Microsoft)

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During the interview, Spencer also talked about the backwards compatibility and cross-play aspects Xbox has introduced in recent years, and how Microsoft plans to continue using these features with Project Scarlett. Spencer outlined how players will be able to use their Xbox One controllers on the new console, as well as play games from the previous generation. 

“So really, the things that you’ve bought from us, whether the games or the controllers that you’re using, we want to make sure those are future compatible with the highest fidelity version of our console,” Spencer explained, “which at that time will obviously be the one we’ve just launched.”

Xbox Project Scarlett is due to launch holiday 2020 alongside the highly anticipated Halo Infinite as its launch title. Backwards compatibility and cross-play continue to be some of the biggest selling points for Xbox, and with a focus on high frame rates and quick loading speeds, it'll be interesting to see just what it can do. 

Excited about the upcoming Halo adventure? Here's everything you need to know about Halo Infinite.

Heather Wald
Senior staff writer

I started out writing for the games section of a student-run website as an undergrad, and continued to write about games in my free time during retail and temp jobs for a number of years. Eventually, I earned an MA in magazine journalism at Cardiff University, and soon after got my first official role in the industry as a content editor for Stuff magazine. After writing about all things tech and games-related, I then did a brief stint as a freelancer before I landed my role as a staff writer here at GamesRadar+. Now I get to write features, previews, and reviews, and when I'm not doing that, you can usually find me lost in any one of the Dragon Age or Mass Effect games, tucking into another delightful indie, or drinking far too much tea for my own good.