▼ The Xbox Series X: bad name, good design

Microsoft dropped a surprise last night — we got our first look at the upcoming Xbox and learned its name: Microsoft's next Xbox is Xbox Series X, coming holiday 2020. I'm not sold on the name, but I think I am sold on the shape: instead of a VCR-like traditional console, it's a square tower. You can use the new Xbox Series X horizontally, thankfully, so there is a better chance you'll be able to fit it inside whatever home entertainment console you have. I like this shape because it has more class than the last few Xboxes. The original Xbox One was a design disaster, and the subsequent iterations got better but still felt off. This design feels more honest to what it really is. It looks like a PC, basically. I have a little more to say in praise of this design, after the links. 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This console rarely sees a discount outside of the holiday season, and today only, it includes Marvel's Spider-Man (just one of the PS4's many great exclusive games) for free with purchase. The Xbox One Series X: bad name, good design I hate the name. "Series X" is meant to denote that there will be more than one (Microsoft isn't saying so, but my colleague Tom Warren knows another is coming). Just, I dunno, when Microsoft made the call not to go with a simple numbering scheme, it put itself into this weird place of having to come up with new weird names. What is the relation of the Series X to the One X? What about to the ARM-powered Surface Pro X tablet? Or Windows 10X? There are just too many Xes in Microsoft's product lineup. Name aside, Microsoft is already calling this console the "fastest" and "most powerful," a shot across the bow at Sony's upcoming PS5. No idea if it'll shake out that way, but I will say that I like where Microsoft's priorities are at. A slimmer, smaller console wouldn't be able to handle the things Microsoft is promising in terms of performance. For a little more on what to expect from this console's performance — and why it is more like a PC than even I am giving it credit for — read my colleague Sam Byford's story. I'm talking about the looks, but he's got detail on what it will do. It should be up on the site by the time you read this email. Microsoft knows what it wants to make: a super powerful gaming console. It needs to legitimately take on Sony's console and even Google — though Stadia stumbled out of the gate, it may yet recover and make the case that the best console is the one sitting in a server farm. With this design, Microsoft is willing to sacrifice size in the name of power. It's unapologetic, not trying to hide its size. I think it's elegant in its simplicity, too. No weird glossy panels or plasticky, extraneous grills. There's no getting around how big it is. It very well might have to sit out in the open next to your TV, so it damn well better look good. Plus, because it has this big, squarish shape, Microsoft may not have to worry quite so much about making sure you don't muck up the thermals by setting something on top of the vent. I'm going to go out on a limb here: the Xbox Series X design is good for some of the same reasons the Tesla Cybertruck design is good. It upends preconceived notions of what it's supposed to look like, but does so for specific, functional reasons. Also: it's super not sorry about being huge. As for specs, we still have pretty vague numbers to work with. Microsoft's Phil Spencer says it has twice the GPU power of an Xbox One X, which may or may not translate to 12 teraflops. The SSD may matter more to me, as it will speed up load times dramatically. Alongside the console reveal, we got a look at the new Xbox Series X controller, which has a tweaked design and a Share button: Microsoft says the controller's "size and shape have been refined to accommodate an even wider range of people;" it's slightly smaller than before. The biggest new feature is a PS4-style dedicated Share button, which should simplify the experience when uploading screenshots and video clips. The D-pad has also been redesigned, moving from a cross shape to a circle style reminiscent of the Elite controller's. I understand this is not a popular opinion, but I think that Microsoft has been making the best console controllers for years now. I have a ton of faith that this is going to be another great one. Of course, it will come down to the games (and the price). It always does! If the Series X hardware is anything to go by, Microsoft is serious about providing enough power for them. What's most exciting about the Xbox Series X is that Microsoft clearly feels like the underdog right now and wants to mount a serious comeback. Sony's going to do its best to keep that from happening and try to put the Xbox away for good. The console wars are back, and I think they're going to be a blast. Ad from our sponsor Facebook Twitter Instagram Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our ethics policy. This email was sent to theverge.com@quicklydone.com. Manage your email preferences, or unsubscribe to stop receiving emails from The Verge. View our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Service. Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036. Copyright © 2019. All rights reserved.