Recent software classifications by international ratings bodies may offer further evidence that Microsoft is planning to announce a second next-gen Xbox console.
As reported bymultiple media outletsincluding VGC, the console codenamed Lockhart—orXboxSeries S, as it looks set to be called—is a less powerful version ofXbox Series Xthat will likely target cost-conscious consumers.
The unannounced console was seeminglyreferenced on official Microsoft merchandiseon two occasions in August, and recent software classifications may offer further evidence of an upcoming Xbox series S reveal.
NowESRBratings for games includingAssassin’s Creed ValhallaandCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold Warlist ‘Xbox Series’ as the next-genMicrosoftplatform. This hasn’t always been the case, as other titles recently rated by the ESRB including G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout andWatch Dogs Legionlist ‘Xbox Series X’ as the platform.
https://twitter.com/the_marmolade/status/1302854907708477441?s=21
European classification bodyPEGIalso currently lists ‘Xbox (2020)’ as a next-gen platform rather than Xbox Series X (thanks,@macos380).
Buenos dias muchachada (de nuevo)!Acabo de encontrar otro indicio de que#XboxSeriesSestá más cerca de lo que pensamos, buscando en los sistemas de certificacion#PEGIy#ESRBme he topado con esto.Engloban la next gen de#Xboxcomo#Xbox2020y#XboxSeries👀Ahí lo dejo:pic.twitter.com/27YhvlyWo0
Lockhart development kits are understood to have been with studios for several months, with next-gen Xbox developers expected to support both Series X and Series S in a setup similar to the existingXbox One XandXbox OneS consoles, andPlayStation 4andPlayStation 4 Pro.
Series S is reportedly designed to appeal to cost-conscious players and is said to target 4 teraflops of computing powercompared to the Series X’s 12. While less powerful, Series S could offer next-gen features including faster SSD loading speeds and limited ray tracing capabilities.
It waspreviously claimedthat the console would ship with a faster CPU, no disk drive and target 1440p gaming.
In July,Microsoft confirmed it would halt production of its Xbox One X and Xbox One S All-Digital Editionconsoles, seemingly in preparation for the arrival of Xbox Series S.
