Xbox’s Next-Gen Focus Is Frame Rate, Not Graphics

Although we’re by no means at the end of the current generation of console gaming (hi, The Last of Us Part 2? You ok hun?), the world is already looking ahead to next-gen consoles.

Xbox’s top dog, Phil Spencer, recently sat down with GameSpot where he explained that the next offering from Microsoft is going to be more focused on frame rate rather than graphics.

Credit: Xbox Game Studios

“I think the area that we really want to focus on next generation is frame rate and playability of the games,” said Spencer.

“Ensuring that the games load incredibly fast, ensuring that the game is running at the highest frame rate possible. We’re also the Windows company, so we see the work that goes on [for] PC and the work that developers are doing. People love 60 frames-per-second games, so getting games to run at 4K 60 [FPS] I think will be a real design goal for us.”

Credit: Instagram/Xbox

It definitely looks as though console gaming is learning from the PC Master Race…

Spencer went on to add: “The thing that’s interesting is, this generation, we’ve really focused on 4K visuals and how we bring both movies through 4K Blu-ray and video streaming, and with Xbox One X allowing games to run at 4K visuals will make really strong visual enhancements next generation.

Credit: E3/Xbox

“But playability is probably the bigger focus for us this generation. How fast do [games] load? Do I feel like I can get into the game as fast as possible and while it’s playing? How does it feel? Does this game both look and feel like no other game that I’ve seen? That’s our target.”

Spencer has previously confirmed more of a focus on single-player narrative experiences in the future too, suggesting Sony might have a real rival on its hands.

Responding to a fan query on Twitter about the lack of Xbox single-player experiences, Spencer said there’s plans in the works, writing: “Yes, I can confirm [more single player games].

“With the additions to XGS we have a lot of teams that have built strong SP focused games and we want that to continue.”

Xbox Scarlett as it’s been dubbed is set to release sometime during Holiday 2020.

Featured Image Credit: Microsoft