Scorpios dev kit has a built-in frame rate counter and now fans want it in the consumer version

Related Articles

These Transformers Optimus Prime deals are the best Prime offers that ever primed

July 13, 2022

The Last of Us Part 1 developer defends claims that the remake is “just a cash grab”

July 11, 2022

Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 5 reveals that Star Wars canon hasn’t been broken

June 15, 2022

Few console dev kits have gotten as much time in the spotlight as the ones currently being used to develop Xbox Scorpio (opens in new tab). And based on new reports and pictures of the device, it would seem there’s a good reason why: it looks good. Microsoft fans are particularly enamored with a display on the front which shows realtime performance data, including frames-per-second.

Scorpio dev kit, kinda sexy no? #ProjectScorpio pic.twitter.com/o1FLT6Siv8May 3, 2017

See more

@JezCorden O hell yes!!!!May 4, 2017

See more

@JezCorden Please keep the display with the fps. That’s fantastic.May 3, 2017

See more

@JezCorden I want that display on the final release 😍May 3, 2017

See more

@JezCorden would be cool if they decided to keep that display in the release version as well.May 3, 2017

See more

It’s a bit of a useless flourish, as no doubt most devs who would be using a Scorpio dev kit would have it hooked to external devices which could more accurately record performance. But with its not-insignificant size and five light-up programmable buttons nearby, it sure does look nice. And while I can’t imagine it ever being useful to the everyday consumer, there’s surely a bit of bragging to be had by pointing to the console’s display and seeing a rock-steady 60 flashing back at you.

Gamasutra (opens in new tab) has a deep dive into the specs and design philosophy of the kit, including an interview with head of Xbox Phil Spencer. He says that Scorpio traces its designs back to 2014, when he took over the brand. And likewise, whatever will come after Scorpio is also already in the works. “I’ve said, and this is actually true, the planning for what happens after Scorpio in the console space is already underway,” Spencer said. “You have to think about it that way. Like, what is the next thing? We are committed to the console space. We think it’s critically important.”

As for what’s going on under the hood, we know Scorpio can push 6 teraflops, but what does that mean (opens in new tab)? And will its extra power give it an edge in sales (opens in new tab)? We’ll find out more soon.