Xbox Scorpio Supersampling Will Enhance Graphics on 1080p TVs

Now that home gaming consoles are catching up to 4K gaming – the Xbox One S and the PlayStation 4 Pro both offer 4K resolutions, of a sort – many have been wondering whether the new Xbox One upgrade, codenamed Project Scorpio, will exclusively serve only those who have an Ultra HD television. A new report from Windows Central seems to have answered that question, revealing that the Scorpio will offer graphical enhancements at 1080p output, too.

Windows Central’s Jez Corden reports that, though the Scorpio will, of course, benefit more from being enjoyed at 4K, the console’s supersampling technology will improve the look of Xbox One games in 1080p.

“[G]ames that sport True 4K assets will also enjoy graphics enhancements on 1080p displays, thanks to the console’s supersampling technology.,” Corden reports. “There are many games on Xbox One that sacrifice anti-aliasing quality for performance in other areas, resulting in models with jagged edges. Anti-aliasing gives objects the appearance of smoother edges, at the cost of system resources.”

“For games that have 4K updates on Project Scorpio, 1080p sets will see improved image quality, because the otherwise wasted resolution will be used to provide smoother edges and shadows,” he explains. “Games such as Ghost Recon: Wildlands, which suffer heavily from jagged edges due to the game’s huge draw distance, should see large benefits from this technology.”

“However, to get the full benefits of Project Scorpio, you will need a 4K TV,” Corden adds. “We can confirm that Project Scorpio will come with a 4K Blu-ray player, powered by HDMI 2.0a with Wide Color Gamut and HDR. We also received reliable information that Project Scorpio will see a sizeable lineup of its games, both first and third-party, hit a True 4K resolution for owners of compatible TVs and monitors.”

Project Scorpio is expected to be unveiled at E3 2017, prior to its release during the Holiday period.