Xbox Series X Hands-On: Load Times, Quick Resume, and Compatibility - IGN

From IGN: "First a word on the console itself: It is hefty, but in a good way. When you hold it, it feels like a premium, $500 thing, for whatever that’s worth. When you turn it on, the box makes the same startup chime the Xbox One family of consoles do, and I’m a bit disappointed in that, honestly. I get the consistency, but I’d have liked a new sound. While I’m speaking subjectively, I think the Series X also looks very nice in its vertical orientation. It looks bold and assertive in your entertainment center, with the concave, green-tinted vent perforations on the top adding a really nice visual appeal. I can’t say the same when it’s laying on its side; it looks more like a fireplace log."

[BigBosss]

I must admit, that is significantly fast when it comes to switching to other games, loading times, exploring dashboard and so forth. I sadly will not get the SXS because I'm building a new PC with the new specs and have already pre ordered PS5 :)

[Thunder_G0d_Bane]

Pc is the way to go.

I will have a ps5 and I got a switch for their exclusives.

[lonewolf10]

PC and Switch for me, no Sony only exclusives announced so far that warrant the console yet (I hope that changes as Sony's first party output is second to none at the moment).

[CaptainHenry916]

I got my new GPU but I'm waiting for the new cpu's to come out. I also noticed that the price went up on Windows gamepass. That sucks especially since it's not on par with the Xbox version

[Sirk7x]

Hope you really enjoy the PS5 man. I'll hopefully be getting one in the near future once some more games are announced and released, and I have seen more of it in action. I managed to snag a Series X pre-order, and couldn't be more excited for launch day. Gonna be a good holiday lol.

[no_more_heroes]

This is without any optimizations, as well as being a prototype unit. Definitely getting more and more exited for both next gen consoles! Saving from now for the $1160.92 splurge lol!

[Iceball2000]

Honestly, not that quick. But I could see it getting better with age.

[DJStotty]

But a lot faster than the xbox one X running the same game.

Games that are optimised/built for Series X will see the greatest reduction in load times.

[Christopher]

Yes, but keep your expectations tempered. XSX games by default will take more to load, so reduced loading might equal about the same in the end as what we see here. It is, after all, processing a lot more, just in the same time as those presented here.

[DJStotty]

@Christopher

The xbox one games running on the Series X have no optimisation so do not use any SSD feature set.

Games built for the Series X will be built specifically with the SSD features and Series X architecture in mind.

[Saigon]

You have to admit that was fast; and in time it will only get better!!!

[Nitrowolf2]

compared to what though? They cut some games load from 2min to a little over 30 seconds, on old titles that aren't even optimized

[Games1st]

Quiet and quick, good job Xbox. 802gb of usable space. Fireplace log lol.

[Father__Merrin]

great features this is what we want with next gen consoles. miles miles quicker than a pc imo. with the new console tbh the only thing a pc can do better is brute force

[CantThinkOfAUsername]

Man, why do you take every chance to bash PC...?

[LordoftheCritics]

It's a 'sour grapes' thing.

[Popsicle]

Double Post

[RaidenBlack]

Miles quicker than a PC that has a SATA HDD.

[Sirk7x]

And mods, much more control and customization, choice of controllers, etc. I prefer console, but I understand that if you have the cash to build a good PC, you're paying for a much better experience. The new NVIDIA cards pretty much already blow away these consoles, and that's great for PC owners. There are good choices for everyone's tastes at the moment.

[Father__Merrin]

I don't think you can get a better experience on pc now. The features of the new consoles are so well done for ease of use and great graphics for the price you pay there's no match anymore.

[Thundercat77]

If these are making previews to talk positive then when they test the PS5, is going to be a whole new level with its super charged SDD velocity architecture.

[ocelot07]

This is great to hear. Now I have no interest in the series x. But it's good to hear things like this. Means the ps5 will be even better (and no that's not a jab at Xbox ).

[Marquinho]

Extremely quiet and fast. New features working like charm. Backwards Compatibility + ML based enhanced games.

Basically, Microsoft is delivering on their promises... there's still a bunch more to see.

On a side note, it's clear that Microsoft has its next-gen schedule very clear. I can't believe we've received important updates about the console and services - including megatons - virtually every week this year, and it seems it won't stop until release. Great Job MS.

[Baza]

Fast load times. Stepping stone for PS5

[Popsicle]

Wish they would show us seeing as release is only about a month away at this point.

[DEEBO]

So I got both systems pre-order now and just waiting for release but this is not what I want to read about how old games load faster.
Where is the new games with better graphics and fps I keep hearing about?
Knocking off 30 seconds on loading is not worth what I'm paying??
Load up the Assassin's and tell how next generation it looks.
Damn the days of the big jump in graphics are gone huh?

[Christopher]

They're all third-party stuff right now, really.

It's nice, and it obviously comes with performance and graphical upgrades, so not sure about that price as it's subjective.

It will look better than current-gen consoles: https://www.youtube.com/wat...

Yes. Yes they are.

[DiRtY]

Imagine doing quick resume on Fable, Elder Scrolls and Avowed...

[LimpTool]

And not being able to do that on PC

[derektweed1]

I'm not sure of the intention of your comment. But yes I don't believe most PC will be able to do that. You would need serious specs to run all three of those games at the same time.

I don't think PC's can store an instance game in a partition of the SSD for quick resume. You would probably be running all three at the same time. The RAM requirements would be huge.

[Sirk7x]

Theoretically, you could probably have a partitioned (or separate) SSD with specific software to recreate this function, but I'm doubtful it will come about unless consumers begin to ask for it.

[DivineHand125]

I like how Microsoft is showing off it's features and I wish Sony was as upfront with their backwards comparability performance, UI, new features and more examples of SSD performance other than Ratchet and Clank.

It does not really make a difference for me since by the time I am able get a ps5 it would have already been released and many videos will be on youtube going through these features. Blame the scalpers for this.

One more thing, for the persons that are saying buy PC and PS5, imo I don't believe this is the right way to go since I tried being a PC and PS4 gamer but it did not work out. PC games would run at 60 fps while the console counterpart would run at 30 fps with lower settings. This was disorienting as I could not comfortably play between the 2 platforms as I would from console to console. Another thing to be aware of for persons who are not yet into PC gaming, remember when flagship phones used to cost $500 and now they cost $1500. Unfortunately, we are now at that state with PC parts with the GTX 980 ti being $650 when it launched and now the RTX 3090 msrp is at $1499. That is the cost of the GPU alone and as a console gamer it would make more sense to purchase a PS5 and Xbox Series X instead of buying a PS5 and building a new PC at this point in time.

[Sirk7x]

Just get a 3070 or 3080 then, those cards are still beasts lol. The 3090 is just, almost unnecessary at this point, unless you're an enthusiast with money to blow.

[skidmarc]

I'm so tired of hearing about these SSDs. SSDs only help with load times. I'd rather sit and wait a bit for a game to load if it runs smooth. Please don't let the focus be on these SSDs. Focus on what is under the hood of these units. SSDs will only get you so far.

[sizeofyou]

With you on that one. Double edged sword - great that they are so fast that they can feature in intensive games to improve performance of loading data to memory BUT they're new expensive and IMO, way too small for the data in games. I read that there's every chance that we could be down to 5-6 games on 1TB. I play several multilayer games with friends, have some indies I go to for a quick fix, a couple of sports games I like and a few other FPS or open world titles on the go generally. Micro management here we come. I'm not totally embracing the new SSD at the moment. I hope I'm wrong...

[cyclindk]

Not a proponent of either next gen console’s visual style, but please stop calling this box “bold” ...

If the shell were made of glass, or totally out of recycled cardboard, or to resemble a chess board, or almost anything else, that would be bold. A subwoofer, or two airfoils glued together is hardly bold.

Also, it isn’t bad at all, nor is the PS5. Switch is bolder in design than either and I don’t own one.

[Spenok]

There is certainly a boost in loading speeds... 50% MINIMUM, but you've got to wonder why they're only touting Xbone games and not XSX games.