It's become customary for console makers to release multiple versions of the same console within their lifetime. However, next-gen consoles might be available in more than one flavor right at launch. The PS5 is already releasing in two versions, one with an optical drive and an all-digital one. Reports suggest that Microsoft is also working on more than one version of its Xbox Series X but with a different strategy from Sony's.

Today The Verge reported on Microsoft's multiple next-gen console plans. Their source "familiar with Microsoft’s Xbox plans" confirm a Lockhart profiling mode in dev kits. The latter refers to a second Xbox Series X console version, codenamed Lockhart, which is a less powerful but cheaper entry into next-gen gaming. The Lockhart profiling mode allows developers to toggle "Lockhart mode" and gauge how their games will perform on the weaker hardware, which is geared towards 1080p or 1440p gaming.

The Verge's report also mentioned that Lockhart's specs include "7.5GB of usable RAM, a slightly underclocked CPU speed, and around 4 teraflops of GPU performance". For comparison, the known Xbox Series X (codenamed Anaconda) includes 13.5GB of usable RAM, and targets 12 teraflops of GPU performance.

Moreover, The Verge's claims are supported by a recently-leaked Game Development Kit release from June 2020 which mentions support for "AnacondaProfiling" and "LockhartProfiling" modes:

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The leaked document also mentions Project Scarlett consoles, without specifying the number of these next-gen devices:

Given these leaks and Microsoft's silence on the issue, we should take the news with a pinch of salt before we get any official announcements. Until then, would you prefer the option of a cheaper next-gen Xbox?

SOURCE

 

[Bladexdsl]

So basically like prebuilt PC tiers but on a console level..

but running way shitter and under-powered

 

[GBADWB]

I can understand wanting to make a cheaper option, but 4 tflops? Why even bother when the XB1X manages 6? Just give that a price cut instead and extend support for it through next gen.

numbers wise, its probably for a dirt cheap price. if it was 4k Tflops, it would be roughly at the level of an RX 470 performance wise, and those are pretty dirt cheap for 1080p gaming. That, Series(and lockharts supposed) enhanced backwards compatibility will make it different than the One X, even though GPU wise the one X is faster, but its significantly slower on the CPU front. That tied with XCloud + Microsoft Ultimate Gamepass would still be a value oriented machine for people on a tighter budget.

Personally if done correctly, "Lockhart" can be less of a console competitor and become a better home entertainment machine closer to something like the Nvidia Shield TV if microsoft puts the effort into that front.

I do believe Microsoft wants XCloud to basically destroy Nvidia's Geforce Now and Google's Stadia so that it can flex its Azure market share. Having a cheap console would eliminate most of the compeition, and the subscription service with gamepass is objectively better than what at least Google is offering. Gerforce now being slightly different because games purchased on there are purchased on an actual PC account you own.

 

[leon315]

i believe there has to be a ''Digital'' discless version lust like PS5 one!

 

[BiggieCheese]

I can understand wanting to make a cheaper option, but 4 tflops? Why even bother when the XB1X manages 6? Just give that a price cut instead and extend support for it through next gen.

The gap in teraflops shouldn’t matter due to the generational architecture gap between the CPU/GPUs used in the One X and Lockhart. Lockhart’s almost certainly going to be more powerful than the One X in real world performance even if it isn’t meant to be a 4K machine outside of backwards compatibility

 

[Rj.MoG]

Leaked documents show Microsoft is doing exactly what they said they would

 

[Dvdxploitr]

I know it seems strange that the Lockhart will be targeting 4 TFLOPS when the Xbox One X is 6 TFLOPS...difference is, the Xbox One X was a flagship console that cost $500 at launch and targeted 4K gaming....Lockhart isn't going for that. It's targeting 1080p or 1440p. So it doesn't need as much power. There is a big difference in hardware needed to go from 1080p to 4K...I mean, at 4K you re pushing 4x the pixels. IF the rumors of $200 for the Lockhart are true, then it still makes it a really good deal. It's backward compatible with Xbox One so if someone had an Xbox One that was failing or waiting on the price of Xbox One to drop more, this would be a great system to buy.

 

[Taleweaver]

Oooh, ooh, Oooh... Don't tell me. Lemme guess... Are there going to be... TEN... consoles in this series X?

... Or would that make too much sense to Microsoft's marketing department?

but running way shitter and under-powered

... As well as managing to look blander than even the most average non - gaming pc.

 

[BlastedGuy9905]

It's "series" for a reason..

 

[diggeloid]

This seems stupid, but it makes sense if they're trying to bridge the gap between PC and Xbox. If devs are forced to support multiple hardware configurations, it should be easier for them to port to Windows PCs, especially since a lot of the system APIs are identical.

But FWIW, I don't trust Microsoft and would never buy anything from their store on Windows. Hell, I don't even use Windows anymore unless I want to play a game that doesn't work through proton/wine (which atm is only Street Fighter V)

 

[Darth Meteos]

Seems this will be easier than people think. Since the Xbox versions will essentially be PC games, this is just having a hardware check instead of a menu with graphics settings.

 

[OkazakiTheOtaku]

What if "Lockhart" is a handheld that plays the same games but at a lower spec?

 

[Teach_QC]

Having more trouble seeing the point in buying an Xbox console with how adamant they are on moving first party titles to Game Pass. PS5 on the other hand would allow you next gen Sony titles, while also being able to dip back into PS4 software you may have missed out on this generation. I only hope Sony gets better about enhancing, supporting previous gen titles. One area where Microsoft is far ahead.

Personally, I like to wait at least a year before getting a new console. Allow others to be guinea pigs for potential bugs, and with covid causing delays in game development we probably won't really feel till early next year, holding off on buying the next gen console I hope will be a bit easier. There's also little doubt of mid-gen system "refreshes" a few years in.

 

[GGG987POL]

Wonder will they be released later in the life cycle or all at once

 

[Axido]

Inb4 they obviously call the Lockhart model "Xbox Series S" for comical reasons.

 

[PoiRan]

For most games full HD at 60 fps is fine. 4K is overkill for many people, and requires a lot more powerful gpu. There need to be a noticeable price difference though.

 

[kumikochan]

Why is everyone talking about the power of the cheaper console when Microsoft has released not a single thing about it regarding specs and it just all being pure speculation at the moment ? Plus all speculations that were made about the PS5 or the series X were incorrect, but everyone here's just talking about it like it is so. Terraflops also on the GPU side doesn't mean jack shit if it is bottlenecked by the CPU. A slower 980ti paired with a 6700k still runs way faster and better with no frame drops on higher settings compared to a 1070 paired with amd FX chip. That is exactly what an Xbox one x vs the lockhart is. A faster GPU by 2 terraflops doesn't mean jack shit if it is bottlenecked by the CPU plus a GPU that has less flops compared to a GPU with more flops that is older is also a lot more power hungry, has a lot slower vram and communicates with slower older technology and is less efficient in handling data. There's ofcourse a lot more technical stuff but I won't go into that to keep it as simple as possible

 

[Teach_QC]

Wonder will they be released later in the life cycle or all at once

With Sony having shown off a digital-only console at the first reveal event, it seems fairly certain it will be available at launch. Microsoft will likely respond by trying to undercut the price of Sony's digital PS5 with their own digital console.

 

[KingVamp]

I know there's no evidence, but I wouldn't be surprise if we still got pro editions later on.

Wonder will they be released later in the life cycle or all at once

If true, I'd be surprised if it wasn't at the beginning. If only to compete with the PS5 digital edition.

 

[Pokepicker]

they are gonna make like like apple where every year they release a slightly more powerful xbox console for 1000$, just wait and see lol.

As opposed to Samsung and any other phone manufacturer?

 

[slimbizzy]

wack as fuck.