Microsoft has gotten the week started with a bang by revealing more information about its upcoming Xbox Series X console. This has included a new tech demo showing off how insanely fast the Xbox Series X can load games, which Microsoft attributes to its "Velocity Engine Architecture."
The game used in the tech demo video is State of Decay 2, a Microsoft exclusive that was recently expanded with the Juggernaut Edition. State of Decay 2 when played on an Xbox One X is known for having long load times, but when playing the game on Xbox Series X through the console's backward compatibility, it loads significantly faster. In the video, Microsoft showed a side-by-side comparison of the Xbox One X version of State of Decay loading compared to the Xbox Series X version of the game so fans can see and compare the faster loading in real-time.
Needless to say, the Xbox Series X faster load times is going to be a huge benefit of the next-generation console. However, the benefit may not be quite as apparent when playing newer, more technologically demanding games. Microsoft made sure to note in the video description that the video "does not represent gameplay optimized for Xbox Series X," which could be taken a couple of different ways. One, it is an admittance that newer games will have somewhat longer load times than when playing older games, or two, it's too stress that the visuals and gameplay shown in State of Decay 2 is not representative of what the Xbox Series X will bring to the table.
Until Microsoft itself decides to reveal an Xbox Series X exclusive running on the Xbox Series X, though, fans will have to keep wondering about how load times will work on the more technologically-advanced games. As for when that may be, it's hard to say. Originally, it would have been easy to say that fans would need to wait for Microsoft's E3 2020 press conference, but E3 2020 has been canceled due to the coronavirus, and Microsoft has yet to announce the date of its replacement event.
We know that Microsoft is hosting a digital event in lieu of its typical E3 press conference, but what we don't know is when that event will take place. Head of Xbox Phil Spencer has promised more specific details in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, one has to wonder if it will take place in June like E3, or if it will happen a little earlier. It's also possible that the Xbox Series X digital event will happen later than when E3 was scheduled, so fans should keep that in mind as well.
Whenever Microsoft does a complete unveiling of the Xbox Series X and shows new games running on the hardware, one has to imagine that it will include the first in-depth look at Halo Infinite, so that should be exciting for fans as well. Hopefully more information on the E3-replacing Xbox Series X digital event comes sooner rather than later.
Xbox Series X launches this holiday season.