We told you already that in theory, the Xbox One could become a little more powerful now that Kinect, with its 10% GPU reservation, was becoming wholly optional. According to Microsoft’s new Xbox Head, that’s becoming a reality, as a new version of the Xbox Development Kit software goes out this month.
According to Spencer, it’ll open the Xbox One up to better performance.
June #XboxOne software dev kit gives devs access to more GPU bandwidth. More performance, new tools and flexibility to make games better
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) June 4, 2014
No, the new XDK isn’t opening up a bottle of that magical secret sauce, but it will allow the Xbox One to use those additional resources that Kinect – even though idle – would have been gobbling up.
“Yes, the additional resources allow access to up to 10% additional GPU performance,” a Microsoft representative told Eurogamer.
“We’re committed to giving developers new tools and flexibility to make their Xbox One games even better by giving them the option to use the GPU reserve in whatever way is best for them and their games.”
As for whether it’ll allow the Xbox One to achieve that sweet 1080p/60fps spot? Unlikely. The PlayStation has superior hardware, and that machine’s struggling to attain that ideal in many games. Microsoft was diplomatic in its answer.
"Xbox One games look beautiful and have rich gameplay and platform features. How developers choose to access the extra GPU performance for their games will be up to them. We have started working with a number of developers on how they can best take advantage of these changes. We will have more to share in the future."
Last Updated: June 5, 2014
Admiral Chief Blackburn
June 5, 2014 at 09:19
So, now, to see who writes the better software
*popcorn mode ENGAGE*
HvR - THE Average GAmer
June 5, 2014 at 09:49
Nintendo, it is so awesome nobody can even use it.
GodGamerDerp
June 5, 2014 at 11:06
They’ll both maximize their software, the difference will come down to hardware.
check it out
June 5, 2014 at 09:22
Dunno if I’m jumping the gun or sabotaging an article, but Sniper Elite V2 is/was free on steam….
Admiral Chief Blackburn
June 5, 2014 at 09:27
Jip, I sent out the announcement on the Lazygamer Steam group last night (thanks to Kromas for the tip)
But yeah, spread the love dude!
Jedi JJ
June 5, 2014 at 09:48
Announced earlier. But the more people know, the better
Grimthwacker
June 5, 2014 at 10:27
Thanks for the info!! 😀
Praise Lord GabeN
June 5, 2014 at 10:44
Praise GabeN!
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 5, 2014 at 09:25
So they can use all that power to make games better? So…. erm…. what about…. you know…. the ones that still have the Kinect connected? Are they going to run worse than those without the Kinect?
Pieter Kruger
June 5, 2014 at 09:27
Nope, the Kinect used to reserve 10% of the GPU performance even though it sat idle, they’ve just changed that and made it available to developers now.
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 5, 2014 at 09:27
Yes. So you missed my point.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 5, 2014 at 09:31
No the old XBones won’t run worse because the firmware will probably allow the attached kinect to be turned off on integrated systems, thus freeing up the reserved 10%
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 5, 2014 at 09:33
Hope so. The problem is that makes logical sense heh.
Mark Treloar
June 5, 2014 at 09:30
Right but if the Kinect is not idle how will performance scale for those playing the games?
GodGamerDerp
June 5, 2014 at 11:05
Likely future games are coded to dynamically downscale res/framerate/effects when the 10% is needed for kinect/snap.
Kagutsuchi
June 5, 2014 at 09:27
Hammersteyn
June 5, 2014 at 09:44
I raise you
Kagutsuchi
June 5, 2014 at 09:45
Definitely one of my favourite vids on the internet! 😀
Hammersteyn
June 5, 2014 at 09:49
I could probably come in to work one day and listen to it the whole day. Then I could get sick leave(insanity leave)
Jedi JJ
June 5, 2014 at 09:59
You get insanity leave???
Hell, if we had that most of the people here would be on leave 24/7
Hammersteyn
June 5, 2014 at 10:19
Before I stab someone
Jedi JJ
June 5, 2014 at 09:47
I can’t see the vidz!!!! (damn my work!)
But I’m guessing one of them is Heyayaya
Best…video….ever
Hammersteyn
June 5, 2014 at 09:48
It is XD
Jedi JJ
June 5, 2014 at 09:49
Woohoo.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 5, 2014 at 09:29
Microsoft trying to use some NOS:
Admiral Chief Blackburn
June 5, 2014 at 09:33
Hahaha
Pieter Kruger
June 5, 2014 at 09:31
Not sure this will make any difference really but I suppose every bit helps? Not a programmer and don’t understand any of it but I still think it all comes down do software and clever ways to utilise the resources. Correct me if I’m wrong but thanks to BF4 being a glitch fest I regularly fall through the floor on dry land only to notice a fully rendered ocean beneath! Is that ocean running in the background using resources the whole time??
Hammersteyn
June 5, 2014 at 09:35
It happens to me in PS2 sometimes. It’s definitely the game that’s still glitchy
Pieter Kruger
June 5, 2014 at 09:38
But does that fully rendered ocean constantly use resources? That does seem like a huge waste if that’s the case?
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 5, 2014 at 09:43
No. Games use a tech called “occlusion culling” where whatever isn’t visible at any given angle isn’t rendered and therefore shouldn’t affect performance.
That being said. Go play Crysis 3 or 2. Stand inside a building and put Water quality to Ultra. Then drop it to low. You will see a performance difference even though there is no water in sight. So depending on the coding it may be possible that the water is taking up resources somewhere.
Whether the same is true for BF4 I wouldn’t know. Haven’t got it to test.
Pieter Kruger
June 5, 2014 at 09:56
Thnx for that info! ????
Rincearbiterofhumour
June 5, 2014 at 10:12
You mean Haven’t got it to play? 🙂
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 5, 2014 at 13:04
lol
Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!
June 5, 2014 at 13:05
That’s cute. You think BF4 is playable 😉
HvR - THE Average GAmer
June 5, 2014 at 09:39
M$’s jam!!!
Viking Of Science
June 5, 2014 at 09:48
Completely off topic, but in case you’ve missed it. Sniper Elite v.2 is currently Free for the Master race: http://store.steampowered.com/app/63380/
Jedi JJ
June 5, 2014 at 09:50
Thanks mister LATE
Just kidding. 😉
May the pc gamers rejoice
Viking Of Science
June 5, 2014 at 09:51
Hey, I did say “in case yo’ve missed it” some people aren’t connected to steam 24/7…. 😛
Jedi JJ
June 5, 2014 at 09:52
Mentioned it on the apps article this morning.
And…seriously…who’s not connected to Steam 24/7? ;P
Admiral Chief Blackburn
June 5, 2014 at 09:52
I broadcasted it last night on the Lagz Steam group
Jedi JJ
June 5, 2014 at 09:53
Damn you!
Admiral Chief Blackburn
June 5, 2014 at 09:53
Well, Kromas asked me to do so, so credit goes to him
Viking Of Science
June 5, 2014 at 09:55
Wow… I’m later than a camel on meth….
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 5, 2014 at 09:55
Rather Mr Late than Mrs Late I always say.
Jedi JJ
June 5, 2014 at 09:57
LOL
Damn I miss Tanya. Where is she/he when you need someone to mess with? We need a new person to take it for the team (and by saying this, I am not volunteering)
Praise Lord GabeN
June 5, 2014 at 10:47
Hopefully we’ll see some HD games on the XBone
GodGamerDerp
June 5, 2014 at 11:06
HD is 720p, so yes lol
Praise Lord GabeN
June 5, 2014 at 11:11
XBone is managing 720p! Wow! Probably at 24fps for that cinematic experience.
RoninGamer
June 5, 2014 at 14:22
I’m sorry by the whole “Kinect uses 10% which is now free because we’re Kinect-less” sounds like bull to me.
What about the people using Kinect? Does it magically turn off when one of these Kinect-less developed games is being played? That’s unrealistic considering all the voice commands many people use while playing.
I’m throwing the BS flag here!