E3 2019 | Project Scarlett with its new generation SSD and Halo Infinite take center stage at the Xbox E3 briefing

Microsoft’s Xbox E3 2019 briefing has wrapped up, and although Project Scarlett was teased as expected, it seems specific details about the next-generation console were somewhat thin on the ground. A video described the already known partnership with AMD in regard to the creation of custom processors based on Zen 2 and Navi technology, and the use of GDDR6 RAM was confirmed. But the superlatives started with the claim that the Xbox Two (or whatever the Scarlett consoles are eventually officially named) will be four times more powerful than the Xbox One X.

Apparently, the next-generation console, which can deal with 8K resolutions, can offer frame rates of up to 120 FPS. In addition to that, there will be hardware-based ray tracing and variable refresh rate technology for extra gaming delight. However, what's really key for Xbox/Project Scarlett is the SSD: It seems this thoroughly tweaked form of storage can offer up to 40 times the performance of the current generation of consoles. So as the custom SSD appears to be the “secret sauce” for the PlayStation 5, the same seems to be true for the next-generation Xbox.

A launch time-frame of “Holiday 2020” was given, when the Xbox Scarlett consoles (Anaconda, Lockhart) will be joined by the release of Halo Infinite. Game engine footage of the upcoming Halo game was shared (see images below) with the excited audience, and it certainly looks like a massive step up from Halo 5: Guardians in terms of visuals. With Microsoft/Xbox Game Studios focusing on eliminating loading times, gamers should be able to enjoy increased gameplay and immersion in titles such as Halo Infinite without being taken out of the action due to frustrating HDD limitations.