Detailed render of the Project Scorpio devkit
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Microsoft's latest revision of the Xbox One, internally referred to as Project Scorpio, was finally spotted in the wild. This information comes straight from Gamesutra who recently had the pleasure of interviewing several Microsoft employees that were key in designing this new system. It's clear that the 90's VCR aesthetic was not abandoned - in fact, the Scorpio devkit goes one step further by implementing an LCD display which probably won't be featured in the final retail units.

The Project Scorpio devkit compared to Microsoft's previous devkit units​

In previous generations Microsoft's consoles closely followed the devkit's case design. If past performance is anything to go by, these development kits are a good representation of how the final system will look like.

The Project Scorpio and the Scorpio devkit specs sheet, as compared to the Xbox One S and Xbox One
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Gamesutra also published a detailed specs sheet of both the devkit and the final retail units, comparing them to the Xbox One and the Xbox One S. You'll notice that, as per tradition, the Scorpio devkit packs even more of a punch than the retail unit as it has to run background operations during the development cycle.

Project Scorpio devkits - now easily stackable!
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To prove that they're not just full of hot air, Gamesutra also featured this photograph of a stack of devkits in addition to the renders. It appears that Project Scorpio is nearing final stages of development, we'll definitelly hear more about the system during this year's E3 showcase.

You can find out more about the system and read some excerpts from their interview by following the source link below. What do you think about the new Xbox? Let us know in the comments!

Source (Gamesutra)

 

[Foxi4]

I dunno, I look at something like the Galaxy S8 Edge or the Wii U pro controllers, and they look brilliant to me with all their rounded edges, in fact not only could I see them as uncomfortable if they weren't rounded, but I can tell I'd find them less appealing overall to look at if they were as well.

Well, the controller has to be rounded whether designers like it or not - it has to be comfortable to hold. The console itself however doesn't have to be rounded at all, it just needs to be functional. I like simple boxes I suppose, which is why I dislike this gen's "PlayStation Slope" which displaces the whole PCB and makes the console longer than it needs to be. All a matter of taste though, to be fair.

 

[duffmmann]

Judging by the specs alone I expect the system to be anywhere between $350 (optimistic, competitive with PS4 Pro) and $600 (pessimistic, high margin), which is fine since it's an optional upgrade. We'll definitely find out more during E3.

I would not hold my breath on a $350 price tag, heck, I'd be shocked if it's even as low as $450

 

[DiscostewSM]

Now imagine if DF got a hold of a dev unit, and tests were shown that the FPS read-out differed from their own frame-by-frame counters.

 

[Foxi4]

I would not hold my breath on a $350 price tag, heck, I'd be shocked if it's even as low as $450

I also find it unlikely, but that's the price point they'd have to set if they wanted to snuff out the Pro. That being said, they really don't have to as both systems are optional high-end models, they don't have to be competitive. The $450-$550 bracket is a likely sweet spot.

 

[Dr.Hacknik]

I never knew the Xbone's CPU was so underclocked. Damn~ I am definitely sticking with my Gaming PC!

 

[Foxi4]

Now imagine if DF got a hold of a dev unit, and tests were shown that the FPS read-out differed from their own frame-by-frame counters.

They definitely would since the Scorpio uses variable framerate on the output, so the visible framerate would differ depending on whether the display supports it or not. A teardown of the unit would be very interesting to see though, and DF will probably procure one of those beasts eventually, as they tend to do.

 

[Pluupy]

Oh fuck it's actually really cute.
The clean, minimalistic design alongside the graph and FPS counter arouses my inner nerd.

I would definitely like to acquire this thing just to have it sit around and be admired.

 

[Foxi4]

Oh fuck it's actually really cute.
The clean, minimalistic design alongside the graph and FPS counter arouses my inner nerd.

I would definitely like to acquire this thing just to have it sit around and be admired.

It almost looks like it's laser cut or CNC'd, and the display meshes with the plastics seamlessly. A functional design with no clutter, just the bare essentials. It really does look sleek, in a futuristic "refreshed 90's" kind of way.

 

[Pomegrenade]

Looks interesting!

 

[matpower]

Rounded edges are impractical and give consoles a toy-like appearance, I was always partial towards the more monolith-like style of design, as seen on the PS2, for instance. You have a point though, it's an 80's look, I just happen to like it.

As a counter point, the Genesis/Mega Drive model 1 has rounded-like edges and it looks way better than most consoles released in those past few years.

 

[death360]

I totally approve of this vhs look.

 

[Nemix77]

Meh regardless how powerful it is with almost no exclusive games or great games in general I'd rather deal with a gaming PC (having to maintain the OS, viruses, spyware, etc..) then buy an Xbox One that has almost zero support from Japanese developers and the FPS's just control better on a PC.

The only saving grace for the Xbox One is backwards compatibility, HDMI upscaling to 4K and a great controller with good battery life but pretty much all of this the PC has too...

 

[Xuman]

"Microsoft's latest revision of the Xbox One,"

Nah im good yo. I can skip this

 

[DinohScene]

I liked 360 devkits more.
Especially the XNA kits <З

 

[gnmmarechal]

As ugly as ever, I see.

 

[cainan__c]

im gonna call it now
i call bullshit

 

[Saiyan Lusitano]

Bummer. It looks a lot like the Xbox One S and I was hoping for a new design, I know, this is a devkit so the final design will change. But still.

 

[Saiyan Lusitano]

It's clear that the 90's VCR aesthetic was not abandoned

Calling it a "VCR" design is kind of inaccurate, it's more along the lines of the Betamax.

 

[huma_dawii]

I am very confused, is the Project Scorpio a Next Gen console.. or is just a beefier Xbox One, ala PS4 Pro?

I know Nintendo Switch is new generation, when is M$ and $ony going to catch up?

 

[Saiyan Lusitano]

I am very confused, is the Project Scorpio a Next Gen console.. or is just a beefier Xbox One, ala PS4 Pro?

I know Nintendo Switch is new generation, when is M$ and $ony going to catch up?

The Xbox Scorpio is somewhat like the PS4 Pro but also trying to step into a new generation while at it. Technically speaking, the Switch is part of the 9th generation but it's more along the lines of the 7th generation in terms of hardware power (by saying this, the Wii would've been part of the 6th gen and the WiiU of the 7th gen).