Microsoft has already acknowledged that their Project Scorpio flagship console is set to hit markets this 2017. The company has already released the official specs of the new game system but has not shown any photo of what it looks like. It is speculated that Microsoft is holding off some key details about the Scorpio until their E3 2017 press conference. However, photos of the new console's dev kit have been unveiled and it looks a lot like the Xbox One S.
Sources have noted that most of the previous dev kits for Microsoft's older consoles usually looked the same with the final product. Therefore, it is obviously a given fact that the Project Scorpio console will look like its dev kit, claims Game Rant. If it does indeed follow the same design, consumers would most likely understand since the company has been reportedly going for the same design with its older Xbox consoles.
Another takeaway from the Project Scorpio dev kit reveal is that the system's hardware specifications are reportedly higher than the final retail model. Kevin Gammil, Xbox platform manager, apparently shared Microsoft's reasons for the difference in hardware. He explained that it is "much easier for a game developer to come in higher and tune down," compared to them starting "lower and tune up." The company believes that it "just rarely happens."
It seems that Microsoft wants their Project Scorpio game developers to have an easier time to "hit our goals: 4K, 4K textures, rocksteady framerates, HDR, wide color gamut, and special audio." The dev kit version of the flagship game system comes with a 24GB DDR5 RAM and holds 44 CUs (compute units), which is larger by 12GB and 4 CUs respectively over the retail model. The company wants to developers to go overboard during development and adjust accordingly for the final product.
Prior to the news of the Project Scorpio's dev kit and official retail unit hardware specifications, analysts have speculated that the device might be modular in nature. However, Microsoft has confirmed that its new system will be a plug-and-play out of the box and non-modular, reports Gamenguide. Fans would have to wait until E3 2017 to find out the final design and details of the Scorpio.
