Xbox Series X: The Ascent Developer On The Power Of Next-Gen

One of the most exciting games coming to Xbox Series X this holiday season is The Ascent, a science-fiction action-role-playing game that plays like a cross between the Diablo series and classic twin-stick shooters. Because of Microsoft's Smart Delivery system, the game is automatically enhanced when played on Xbox Series X instead of Xbox One, and developer Neon Giant explained just how that will work.

Speaking to Xbox Wire, creative director Arcade Berg (he has a very good name) explained that ray tracing and upgraded reflective surfaces are among the key visual upgrades for The Ascent on next-generation hardware. Input will also feel more responsive and you can expect a more interactive world, which is hugely important in an immersive role-playing game.

As is the case with PS5, as well, the SSD on Xbox Series X will make loading times far shorter, keeping you in the game rather than on a loading screen. This won't compromise visual quality or performance, either, as The Ascent will run at 4K resolution with 60 frames-per-second gameplay and HDR support on Xbox Series X. However, he did say that the console's true capability will only be unlocked once games are developed exclusively for it instead of alongside Xbox One.

"In the future with games made to be 'next-gen exclusive' and development started with the technology available, game worlds can reach new heights of size, fidelity, and interactivity," Berg added.

This is the approach Sony is using from the very beginning with the PS5, where games like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and Horizon Forbidden West are leveraging more of the hardware. It remains to be seen which strategy will be more successful, but we'll begin to see when both consoles launch this holiday season.

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