Xbox Executive Says Technology Won’t Hold Back Console Anymore

With the launch of PS5 and the Xbox Series X around the corner, we are simply anticipating the changes these consoles will have on gaming. PS5 and Xbox have always been fierce rivals but is a healthy competition that pushes either one towards greater heights. With the gaming world divided between PlayStation and Xbox users, both consoles have a unique following. From games to technical advancements, both franchises have always run parallel to each other not letting the other overtake.

A couple of hours after the Xbox showcase event on 23rd July, Matt Booty, head of studios, gave an interview to The Guardian. Booty opened up on the exclusive titles for the Xbox in response to Sony’s claim that PS5 will have exclusive titles in abundance. Let’s find out how the conversation went.

Technological limitations won’t hold back Xbox Series X

Sprite scaling can be considered the onset of an early form of 3D texture mapping. Matt Booty goes on to explain how games have progressed via technical advancements. He goes on to say the Xbox Series X has successfully overwritten issues of hardware limitations, which have a huge impact on the game.

“We’re at a point where the technology is out of the way. In previous generations, the hardware and its limitations would leave a pretty clear fingerprint on a game. I remember the first early games that used sprite scaling and then suddenly every game had all these objects flying around the screen. You’d build a game around technical advances like that.

“But now we’re at the point with the tech where we can just let the stories and the characters that the teams have in mind reach the screen.”

Another highlight was the return of the acclaimed role-playing series, Fable, originally developed at Lionhead, a studio controversially closed by Microsoft in 2016. Playground Games, who have been responsible for the Forza Horizon series, are the developers of this new game.

“I just look at what Playground has done with the Horizon series – that attention to detail, the ability to represent these naturalistic landscapes. They also have a real passion for the IP and a unique point of view on what’s core to Fable. Everything I’ve seen as the game progresses tells me this is going to be a very high-quality release.”

Matt went on to say how the idea has been to respect the fame of the game Fable, but also supplement it with the studio’s own creative ideas. He wasn’t willing to give any spoilers, that’s a good thing.

“With any kind of franchise like that, where you’ve had existing versions, there’s always that balance between what you’re going to bring forward, what still stands up, and what you want to add that’s new.”

ALSO READ–X Box Series X: Games Announced at X Box Games Showcase Leave People Confused

Striking a balance between earlier versions and what you bring forward

Footage of Halo Infinite’s gameplay was the frontrunner of the recent event. The upcoming Halo title will be restricted to Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X, which explains why insight into this exclusive was a highlight of the event.

343 industries, working on Halo, he says, are a dedicated bunch who have valued the feedback of the Halo community.

“They’re as plugged in as any team could be to feedback from core fans, from the esports community, and from people who have seen what they’ve done with the Halo: Master Chief collection. Games of the genre have evolved and moved forward.

“The art of game design is figuring out what feedback you’re going to incorporate, where to strike a balance, and I think they’re well plugged into a big community to do that.”

He also talked about what the game can achieve with the machine, highlighting the new console’s quick resume feature. This lets owners open and switch between multiple titles, without losing their progress. Isn’t it just like browsing through Television channels?

Future forward

“If you look at movies, we’ve become almost numb to how amazing the special effects are,” he says. “You watch actors being portrayed as 20 years younger, you see these amazing worlds, and you just take it for granted – and that’s about getting the technology out of the way.”

You don’t simply play a game anymore, you live in the set time period and you are the character. With both the Xbox and PlayStation coming out with such charming storylines, background scores, and immersive visuals, choosing a console is a toughie.