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- When Sony's next PlayStation and Microsoft's next Xbox launch this fall, they're expected to usher in the next generation of video games.
- Key to that generational leap is a major visual upgrade, which is coming to both consoles care of a new technology known as "ray tracing."
- Microsoft recently demonstrated the difference Ray Tracing on its Xbox Series X console makes with its biggest game: "Minecraft."
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By the end of this year, both Sony and Microsoft plan to launch their next-generation video game consoles: The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, respectively.
The new consoles represent a generational advance for both companies, and with that advance comes a major visual upgrade. With the leap from PlayStation 2 to PlayStation 3, visuals went from standard definition (480p) to high definition (720p and up). A similar leap occurred with the PlayStation 4, which produces 4K visuals - the next step up from HD.
With the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, the biggest visual upgrade is due to a new technique called "ray tracing," which makes light look more natural - and worlds more realistic - than ever before.