Project Scorpio, the sort-of-successor to the Xbox One revealed at the end of Microsoft’s E3 press conference on Monday, is promised to be “the most powerful console ever,” capable of playing games in 4K with no frame rate issues, as well as support for VR. According to head of Xbox Phil Spencer, however, you shouldn’t think of it as a replacement for the Xbox One. In fact, without a 4K TV, he doesn’t think you need it at all.
In an interview with Eurogamer, Spencer emphasized that in Microsoft’s attempt to move “beyond console generations,” Project Scorpio will not have any exclusive games. This was stated earlier by head of marketing Aaron Greenberg, but it was followed by mixed messaging from Microsoft that suggested otherwise — a concrete answer this soon after the conference would be welcome.
Furthermore, without a 4K display, Spencer says the new system “won’t do anything for you.”
“Scorpio is designed as a 4K console, and if you don’t have a 4K TV, the benefit we’ve designed for, you’re not going to see,” he told Eurogamer.
VR is a different story, however. With almost no talk of VR support coming to the original Xbox One (please, don’t make us say that now) and Sony’s commitment to PlayStation VR, it goes without saying that Microsoft will have support planned for future games, even if they aren’t completely exclusive to Scorpio.
Spencer is very aware of the reaction to announcing two consoles at the same conference — with one effectively being a replacement for the other — but coming out and saying that the system will not be for anyone without a 4K TV is a move we didn’t expect to see. That being said, 4K TV prices have dropped considerably over the past year. A smaller option from Vizio will only set you back about $300.
