For those who dread waiting through long video game load times, a new video from Xbox shows off just how fast the next generation Xbox Series X loads compared to the current Xbox One X. Xbox first unveiled their upcoming console's name and tech specs late last year, but fans haven't seen much in the way of demonstrations until now. Still, the tech specs are impressive, including 4K visuals at 60 frames per second (FPS), a custom 1TB SSD & CPU, and support for up to 8K and 120 FPS.
When it comes to next-gen console capabilities and improvements, there are a few things that players tend to care about, and load times are one of them. Waiting more than a few seconds for a video game to load sparks impatience that dampens the gaming experience. This is why, when PlayStation revealed how fast the PlayStation 5 is able to load a level in its game Marvel's Spider-Man - in just one second compared to the PS4 Pro's already-speedy five seconds - players were impressed. Now, with the next generation console wars on the horizon, it's time for the Xbox Series X to enter the arena and compete.
A new video from Xbox does just that, revealing a stunning difference in load times between the Xbox One X and the upcoming Xbox Series X. While the next-gen Xbox One Series X loads the game State of Decay 2 in about 11 seconds, the current-gen Xbox One X doesn't load the game until about the 51-second mark. This means that the Xbox Series X load time is a full 40 seconds faster than the Xbox One X. While that may not seem like a long time to some, the video emphasizes that feeling of waiting as the Xbox One X player stares at a still loading screen for almost a full minute. In contrast, the Xbox Series X player is able to run into a nearby house and explore, making a significant amount of progress in the 40 seconds it takes for the Xbox One X to load the game.
Since Xbox UK marketing Samuel Bateman shared the video on Twitter, responses have been mixed. While some are excited about the power and speed of the next generation of consoles, others aren't impressed by the choice of a game from 2018 for this demonstration. It will be interesting to see similar demos using upcoming games, especially those being released on both current and next-gen consoles such as CD Projekt's Cyberpunk 2077. Demos like this could offer more relevant examples of what the Xbox Series X playing experience will be like, as many gamers will likely purchase the Xbox Series X to play new games built to utilize everything the new console has to offer. And for players hoping to enjoy old favorite games on their new Xbox Series X consoles someday, Xbox has detailed how cross-generation play will work.
In any case, players weighing the pros and cons of the Xbox Series X and the PlayStation 5 can start making their comparisons now. Even with E3 cancelled due to the coronavirus, Xbox has a digital event planned where they may show off the new console and huge games like the Xbox Series X launch title Halo Infinite. For now, at least gamers can look forward to enjoying their favorite Xbox games on the Xbox Series X with faster load times than ever before.
Source: Xbox