Microsoft revealed some new Xbox Series X details this morning, expanding on what we know about XSX backwards compatibility and how the XSX enhances older games. Some of those involve bringing HDR to older games, doubling the frame rates so they run better than ever, and making cloud saves more accessible.
The news comes from an Xbox Wire post by Xbox Series X Director of Program Management Jason Ronald.
Ronald says the same team that worked on backwards compatibility for the Xbox One is working on the Xbox Series X, and:
With more than 100,000 hours of play testing already completed, thousands of games are already playable on Xbox Series X today, from the biggest blockbusters to cult classics and fan favorites.
Ronald estimates an additional 100,000 hours of playtest time for backwards compatibility before the XSX launches later this year.
All these games will reportedly run better than ever, thanks to the Xbox Series X’s custom processor, powerful GPU, and custom Solid State Drive. There’s no boost mode or downclocking required, load times will be shorter, and games can hit their maximum framerates with enhanced visual quality.
One reason for all this is a feature the Xbox Advanced Technology Group added to the platform that implements HDR (high dynamic range) in older titles. The Xbox Series X team is also working on features that let players “double the frame rate of a select set of titles from 30fps to 60fps or 60fps to 120fps.”
Since this is all handled in the console itself, Ronald says developers don’t have to do anything extra for their games to take advantage of these features.
Finally, Ronald also mentioned the Xbox Series X’s quick resume feature, where you can hop between games without closing applications and losing progress, will apply to backwards compatibility games as well.
This news is just the latest in a series of Xbox Series X announcements leading up to Microsoft’s big first-party Xbox Series X games reveal in July. When we’ll find out what the Xbox Series X price is remains to be seen, though. Stay tuned to GameSkinny for more Xbox Series X news as it develops.
