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New Xbox Scarlett Console Officially Announced, Release Window Confirmed

The next-gen Xbox has been unveiled.

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Microsoft had so much to talk about during E3 2019 this year, but the biggest news came in the form of an announcement at the end of its press conference. After confirming work on a next-gen console had begun at last E3, the company finally revealed the platform's first details. It's codenamed Scarlett (but is now known as Xbox Series X), and it will launch in the Holiday period of 2020.

Microsoft also announced Halo: Infinite will be a Scarlett launch title, which marks the first time a Halo game has been a launch Xbox game since the original Halo: Combat Evolved for the first Xbox.

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Now Playing: New Xbox At E3: Everything We Learned About Scarlett

Microsoft kept many of its Scarlett cards close to its chest, electing instead to mostly talk about its internal hardware. The console, which is yet to receive a final name, will be "four times" more powerful than the Xbox One X, Microsoft says. The company went on to say Scarlett contains a custom-engineered AMD processor and will be capable of both 8K resolution and framerates of up to 120 fps. The device also supports ray-tracing and is equipped with a solid-state drive (SSD), similar to Sony's PS5.

One detail absent from the Xbox press conference that we've since learned is that Scarlett has a disc drive, allowing you to play physical discs. It'll also support all your existing Xbox one games and accessories. Xbox boss Phil Spencer also shared some thoughts in a post-conference interview where he talks about future console generations and not necessarily needing you to buy new hardware.

Scarlett was touted during the conference as a "bigger leap than any generation we've done before." Spencer also described it as the "most powerful and highest performance console we've ever designed." Microsoft also very deliberately made it clear the system is designed explicitly for gaming, a notable difference from how the Xbox One was originally unveiled.

For more on the new device, read our exhaustive look at Scarlett's hardware specs or our comprehensive article from before E3 on everything we know about Xbox Scarlett--including the rumored budget alternative. For more, stay tuned to GameSpot's E3 roundup hub.

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