New Video Shows Fully Customizable Scorpio Dev Kit
Everyone’s been arguing over the hardware and tech specs for the new Project Scorpio, but few have been arguing what the console will actually look like. Probably because no one knew what to expect; the only shots we have had are its internals. But thanks to Twitter, we finally have a video of an actual Scorpio dev kit that was being demo-ed. And that Scorpio is big, bad, and the front of the console is a crazy LED screen with five buttons that we know nothing about what they do.
The new Project Scorpio dev kit video, shared by Windows Central’s @JezCorden on Twitter, focuses on the fully programmable front panel, which he demonstrates by manipulating a video of dolphins swimming in the background. He was able to slow and even pause the video, with an FPS counter to show if he was losing frames. Not sure how that helps with gaming, but it does lend itself to a quick button press when you’re in the middle of a movie and want to take a leak. The video is below:
Scorpio XDK front panel does way more than just FPS count. Fully programmable. Watch dolphins on the back screen, etc. Really cool stuff. pic.twitter.com/AaV63fq9qr
— Jez (not a mimic) (@JezCorden) May 13, 2017
Jez later answered a fan’s question that the LED front panel will not be coming with the commercial units. I really wanted a scrolling marquee to say “HappybirthdayPaulie” when I started up my new Scorpio … damn.
We now have two pieces of the puzzle: the tech specs and the physical look of Scorpio. But it’s really weird how Microsoft is releasing this information. Last month, the Project Scorpio specs were revealed, but few of the gaming websites reported on it, like they didn’t get a press release or official announcement. In a recent interview, Phil Spencer confirmed the reveal method was intentional to make it as authentic as possible. Okay, Spencer. Okay.
Project Scorpio launches this year, so expect more news to bubble the closer we approach the release deadline. Hold onto your butts!