New XBOX Project Scorpio, True 4K, 60HZ, VR Ready

[Deleted member 110222]

So, it's been a few months since anyone has posted to this thread. I was hoping I could revive it and see if these last few months have shed more light on this topic or if anyone has anything new to add.

I was also wondering --and maybe the Frontier Development Team could weigh in on this if they're listening-- what specific improvements might we see on Project Scorpio when playing Elite? Surely the graphics will be higher-resolution (4K and all that jazz), but will frame-rates improve? Will draw distances while on planets be improved? Lighting? Load times? Etc. etc. etc. I know it's hard to say since no one has the hardware in hand yet (or maybe some devs do???), but some educated guesses would be welcomed.

Needless to say I'm pretty excited about new, more powerful hardware (giggity); but seeing as how Eliteangerous is almost the only game I care enough about to shell out another chunk of cash on a new console before it's life cycle has fully completed, my purchase is almost fully dependent on significant improvements to Elite.

The kicker will be if ED on Scorpio gets VR, IMO.

If it doesn't then I don't know how I would feel about buying a Scorpio.

I'm not anyway mind. I've started putting money aside for a VR PC. Couple years of scrimping... Will most definitely be worth it. Trust me. I played ED VR on Sunday.

 

[DanGriswold]

We are always listening, but often don't have anything we can say.

Thanks for responding so quickly, Gary! You guys really are on the ball.

Yeah, I suspected you wouldn't be able to comment on this so far from the hardware release. Anyways, I've got my fingers crossed that the new Scorpio will dramatically improve the already awesome experience Elite offers!

By the way, big hugs to the Dev Team. You guys are doing excellent work. Keep it up!

 

[Gary Richards]

Thanks for responding so quickly, Gary! You guys really are on the ball.

Yeah, I suspected you wouldn't be able to comment on this so far from the hardware release. Anyways, I've got my fingers crossed that the new Scorpio will dramatically improve the already awesome experience Elite offers!

If it's all backwards compatible as Microsoft seem to be indicating, then I would expect to get some improvements purely from the fact the hardware is likely to be better than the current Xbox One.

By the way, big hugs to the Dev Team. You guys are doing excellent work. Keep it up!

Thanks, I hope we get it right more often than we get it wrong.

 

[Nine19CnynCrvr]

I'm hoping ED gets VR and HOTAS capabilities for Scorpio. I would even donate to help facilitate. I wonder how much success a kickstarter pack would have if they did it. Especially of they did different packages like an Elite themed VR and HOTAS rig or maybe even a deluxe kicker to get an Elite themed Scorpio, VR, and HOTAS setup. I know getting a themed Xbox platform manufactured is a difficult thing to do because Microsoft would have to be involved with it. So maybe just a well made Elite skin for the Scorpio.

I know, I know....hopes and dreams in one hand.......my mind is running wild with delusions.

 

[DanGriswold]

We are always listening, but often don't have anything we can say.

I wonder if David Braben is also listening...

 

[mostly newish]

Yep, it's coming, Holidays 2017. Xbox Project Scorpio. Confirmed it will run true 4k at 60Hz and will be VR ready with 8-core CPU and 6 teraflop GPU. Looks like I need to start saving up. This one isn't going to be cheap.

suggestion - when this thing makes its appearance , go back to pc and build a better rig for the fraction of the price .

 

[pukeuss]

Better save some wages for this

 

[Cyberguts]

suggestion - when this thing makes its appearance , go back to pc and build a better rig for the fraction of the price .

Nah, I'd rather pay a one-off cost for a product that played games optimised for that said; and not have to upgrade every 6 months for a better GPU.

 

[dreampage]

So, it's been a few months since anyone has posted to this thread. I was hoping I could revive it and see if these last few months have shed more light on this topic or if anyone has anything new to add.

I was also wondering --and maybe the Frontier Development Team could weigh in on this if they're listening-- what specific improvements might we see on Project Scorpio when playing Elite? Surely the graphics will be higher-resolution (4K and all that jazz), but will frame-rates improve? Will draw distances while on planets be improved? Lighting? Load times? Etc. etc. etc. I know it's hard to say since no one has the hardware in hand yet (or maybe some devs do???), but some educated guesses would be welcomed.

Needless to say I'm pretty excited about new, more powerful hardware (giggity); but seeing as how Eliteangerous is almost the only game I care enough about to shell out another chunk of cash on a new console before it's life cycle has fully completed, my purchase is almost fully dependent on significant improvements to Elite.

It all depends on what the developers will want to achieve. The Project Scorpio console will be powerful enough to run the game at (or near) the highest PC settings. Improved resolution, framerates, LOD details, planetary details, effects, anti-aliasing are all possible, if not at the same time. If (and this is a huge IF) the developers can and want to dedicate some time to it, they will be able to make the Xbox One version on par with PC technically. I say "Xbox One version" because the Scorpio console will be 100% compatible with all Xbox One games - it will basically be part of the same family of consoles. In other words, a new generation regarding power, but the same platform regarding compatibility. That said, every developer will have the opportunity to modify their existing games to run radically better on the new hardware. Or they can leave it alone and we'll get none of the benefits of it in this game. It's really the choice of the devs.

Since the new console will not only be more powerful but support VR too (my bet is on Oculus Rift, but if Microsoft is smart then as a Windows 10 device it will support any VR headset) I think it would be logical for Frontier to make the big leap and upgrade the Xbox version so it takes advantage of the more powerful hardware. Higher resolution (not necessarily 4K, it will be upscaled anyway), stable 60 fps framerate, PC quality graphics settings and VR support. My opinion is that they'd be foolish not to do it - after all, this is why the new console comes out in the first place. And since Elite is an ongoing project, not a single "release and forget" game I think it's guaranteed it'll be upgraded.

As for the price, it's too early to guess, but Xbox head Phil Spencer has already said that he wants this to be a high-end console without compromises so the price will be higher. It will not replace the current Xbox One console but live alongside it, so Microsoft doesn't necessarily have to give it a friendly price. My bet is it will be $499, but if it's really that powerful (or maybe comes with an SSD in the box) then I wouldn't rule out a $549-599 price range either. It will be just an option for high-end gamers, not a full new generation that needs to sell. Xbox One sells very well, and will be even better (and cheaper) this time next year.

 

[Deleted member 110222]

Nah, I'd rather pay a one-off cost for a product that played games optimised for that said; and not have to upgrade every 6 months for a better GPU.

As much as I respect consoles, I have to go in defense of PC here. You do not have to upgrade every six months. Not unless you buy worthless bottom-of-the -barrel parts.

My 960 machine will last me at least two more years. After the three years I spend with the 960, I'll switch the GPU to a newer model. But the GPU will be the only part I need to upgrade. The CPU I have, the MoBo, the RAM... all fine.

I'm sorry, but this whole "upgrade every six months" stuff is utter rubbish. PC gaming is not that demanding. Trust me, I'm poor, and I still manage.

 

[Cyberguts]

As much as I respect consoles, I have to go in defense of PC here. You do not have to upgrade every six months. Not unless you buy worthless bottom-of-the -barrel parts.

My 960 machine will last me at least two more years. After the three years I spend with the 960, I'll switch the GPU to a newer model. But the GPU will be the only part I need to upgrade. The CPU I have, the MoBo, the RAM... all fine.

I'm sorry, but this whole "upgrade every six months" stuff is utter rubbish. PC gaming is not that demanding. Trust me, I'm poor, and I still manage.

I was being generalistic due to his comment on the Scorpio. I know it doesn't, but my point still stands; I'd rather just pay one lump sum and have games optimised to said device for many years than "have too" upgrade when a developer changes a game to the point you're no longer running on Ultra any more (as this makes PCers cry)

I know this, I used to be a PC gamer yearsssss ago and saw the light and realised my money is worth while else where (no disrespect to anyone who does obviously).

We all know a PC built at release will be better than said device due to the enhancements we get in tech over a short period of time.

What I do hate is the "getz a PCZ" elitist crap that people come out with. Everyone has their own opinion, forcing said opinion is wrong.

 

[Deleted member 110222]

I was being generalistic due to his comment on the Scorpio. I know it doesn't, but my point still stands; I'd rather just pay one lump sum and have games optimised to said device for many years than "have too" upgrade when a developer changes a game to the point you're no longer running on Ultra any more.

I know this, I used to be a PC gamer yearsssss ago and saw the light and realised my money is worth while else where (no disrespect to anyone who does obviously).

You see, here's the thing.

I honestly believe that consoles from now on will have much shorter "lifespans" than the two previous generations. (PS2/Xbox, PS3/360)

Those generations were weird. Lasted for ages. But now, it looks like the lifespans are getting shorter again.

I fully expect a new Xbox after the Scorpio, around 2020-2021. The impression I get is that consoles are picking up PC traits, including "lifespan".

 

[Cyberguts]

You see, here's the thing.

I honestly believe that consoles from now on will have much shorter "lifespans" than the two previous generations. (PS2/Xbox, PS3/360)

Those generations were weird. Lasted for ages. But now, it looks like the lifespans are getting shorter again.

I fully expect a new Xbox after the Scorpio, around 2020-2021. The impression I get is that consoles are picking up PC traits, including "lifespan".

You are probably right, if anything I too can see the nextbox will be upgradeable to replicate that of the PC; but not the entire guts. Still won't stop me, as I simply do not have space for a gaming rig anymore; and the console aspect more appealing around my TV.

Saying that though, Scorpio is only in development to keep with the 4K and VR trend; and the demand for it. After that, what would the be next "major" threshold to warrant another console? 8K?

 

[DustyArne]

You can't build a pc capable of playing Elite Dangerous Horizons for the same price as a XboxOne.

Just as you can't build a pc capable of playing Elite Dangerous Horizons with the same price as a Scorpio if Frontier will optimize for Scorpio. This argument was nonsens.

 

[Deleted member 110222]

You are probably right, if anything I too can see the nextbox will be upgradeable to replicate that of the PC; but not the entire guts. Still won't stop me, as I simply do not have space for a gaming rig anymore; and the console aspect more appealing around my TV.

Saying that though, Scorpio is only in development to keep with the 4K and VR trend; and the demand for it. After that, what would the be next "major" threshold to warrant another console? 8K?

Yes, that's exactly what I think will happen. A simplified module system that will allow easy upgrading, with new modules available to customize your console.

 

[SirDavros]

Ah, cool. It'll probably be cheaper than Oculus and Vive but will have to see if I can hold out another 12 months.

 

[dreampage]

You see, here's the thing.

I honestly believe that consoles from now on will have much shorter "lifespans" than the two previous generations. (PS2/Xbox, PS3/360)

Those generations were weird. Lasted for ages. But now, it looks like the lifespans are getting shorter again.

I fully expect a new Xbox after the Scorpio, around 2020-2021. The impression I get is that consoles are picking up PC traits, including "lifespan".

The difference in the future will be that there won't be any more "generations" from now on. You'll be able to buy a more powerful console but you won't need to if you don't want. You can still change console hardware every 6-8 years if that's your thing. Previously you couldn't do that because a new console meant a brand new platform and games were not compatible. Yet there was no option to upgrade for anyone, even if they wanted to, until the next generation came out. Now there won't be any limits. If someone wants then he can stick to the same Xbox One for quite a few more years, but if he wants he'll be able to upgrade and get better performance but with the same game library. In other words, the lifespan of Xbox One will not end just because Scorpio is released as the future games will use the same platform. Only one will be stronger than the other, just like on PC where you can choose to upgrade or not but still play the same games.

 

[Starbreaker]

Currently they want all games to work on all consoles, backward compatibility with Xbox 360 and games need to work on both the Xbox One and Scorpio. How many years can they push the Xbox One before they drop the support and move on to stronger hardware, at some point they have to drop the requirement that games need to run on old hardware.

 

[ubit]

In times of virtual machines it should be possible to include "old consoles" as a kind of virtual machine into new generations of console. As long as the overall power is raised for the new generation.

I do not think it goes to a modular concept. Why should id? Better to sell a complete new console every few years than just a couple of modules.

But overall consoles will get more and more in use. PC market is down. "The people" do not want to spend their time in configuring a pc system, searching for the best graphics card, build everything together, tweek game settings to be optimal for their special hardware. They just want to get a complete system out of the box.

Consoles have many advantages. Not only it is simple for the user. But for the developer too. No need to care about different hardware. No 1001 different game controllers. No different screen resolutions (16:9, 4:3...). No unknown bugs in hardware drivers. Closed system which reduces cheating by external software.

And for the user: Everyone using the same type of console has an identical game. Nobody profits from a higher framerate in combat. Just fair.

Ciao, Udo

 

[Cavindar]

As much as I respect consoles, I have to go in defense of PC here. You do not have to upgrade every six months. Not unless you buy worthless bottom-of-the -barrel parts.

My 960 machine will last me at least two more years. After the three years I spend with the 960, I'll switch the GPU to a newer model. But the GPU will be the only part I need to upgrade. The CPU I have, the MoBo, the RAM... all fine.

I'm sorry, but this whole "upgrade every six months" stuff is utter rubbish. PC gaming is not that demanding. Trust me, I'm poor, and I still manage.

Hi there

The idea of upgrading every six months is from working in a IT company or working from company that has a IT department that has rules in place to take every six months do a hardware review and see if any thing needs upgrade or is out of date because of standard setup, in other words it in the holy rule book for IT and insurance policy to upgrade and spend money. If they don't spend any money that time slot they will lose the money.