Hardware
By the end of 2017, each of the Big Trio will have a new system out on store shelves. Sony kicked things off last October with the PSVR and the PS4 Pro, offering 4K support and improved performance, among other features. In a little under a month, Nintendo will be releasing the Switch, their new horse in the console race. Instead of a wholly new system, Microsoft’s taking a page from Sony’s playbook, and their planned big ticket this year is the Scorpio.
Much like how the Pro was intended to be a side console as opposed to a wholly new generation, will have native 4K support and continue to support backwards compatible games on the 360. Microsoft has been scarce on details regarding the system’s specs or price point, only promising the most powerful console on the market, and that it won’t be priced something crazy. We’ve also heard one developer calling the system “A full blown next-gen machine that’s just backwards-compatible to your current library.”
Being the last of the Big Three to put their console out gives Microsoft a slight advantage. They can learn from the mistakes that Sony and Nintendo made in regards to messaging and marketing, and put them to better use towards the Scorpio when it releases in the holidays. If applied correctly alongside a reasonable price, they can make the Scorpio a juggernaut later this year.
