Xbox One voice commands still work in games using freed-up Kinect power

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When Microsoft announced it would give Xbox One developers more GPU power in an upcoming software kit update by freeing up resources dedicated to the console's Kinect sensor, there was some confusion as to the extent of Kinect features that would be lost for games that choose the option. In two recent interviews, Microsoft has clarified that system voice controls will still work in games that opt to use the Kinect reserves.

Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft's Xbox unit, confirmed to Kotaku that all gestures – including system gestures – will be unavailable when developers choose to make their games using the additional horsepower previously reserved for Kinect. System voice commands (such as "Xbox, record that") will still work, however. Additionally, when a gamer suspends the game by going back to the Xbox One home screen, gestures will be available for use in the console interface.

Spencer's comments were expounded upon by Microsoft Studios executive Phil Harrison who told Eurogamer that developers are already using the additional resources to improve frame rates and resolutions of Xbox One games.

"Many developers will use that performance benefit to enhance and improve the graphical look or resolution or frame rate of a game," he said. "We've already seen news that Bungie will increase the graphics performance of 'Destiny.' And as other developers get their hands on the libraries in the next days and weeks, that will become tangible and impactful in games that ship this holiday."

Regardless of whether Xbox One owners have a version of the console with Kinect or the new console version without the sensor, games that make use of Kinect reserves will work the same. Simply unplugging the sensor won't provide any performance improvements, as developers have to program their games for the new option and the games themselves will simply tell the console not to use the sensor.

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Related Forum: Xbox Forum

Source: http://www.neowin.net/news/xbox-one-voice-commands-still-work-in-games-using-freed-up-kinect-power

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"Xbox One voice commands still work in games using freed-up Kinect power" :: Login/Create an Account :: 29 comments

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OasisPosted:

AnimeDesu We don't want graphics we want 60 fps!


"Many developers will use that performance benefit to enhance and improve the graphical look or resolution or frame rate of a game,"...

WheyPosted:

I thought we already knew about being able to give commands during a game ?
There is a trolling video on YouTube with a guy that has his gamertag as Xbox Turn Off and he goes into games trolling. He gets people mad so they say his gamertag and then immediately after it say NO! Haha

AnimeDesuPosted:

We don't want graphics we want 60 fps!

MaggardoPosted:

I honestly didn't think they would take the voice commands away to begin with. But it's good to hear, so people won't worry about losing their voice commands.

RawrrrrrrPosted:

voice commands can be helpful but also annoying to be honest

MissPosted:

Only good thing I really see about this console is the voice commands. I actually really like that.

Scared_of_WaterPosted:

Of course it will, all the tech stuff for the voice commands are inside the kinects itself and not apart of the "10%".

TomPosted:

I have the kinect but Never use the commands. Find it easier just doing it normally for some reason!

SmurfsPosted:

I never used the voice commands in game, partially because I don't always have my Kinect plugged in, and also because it's sometimes pointless. I know in Battlefield 4 you can use it to say what location you wanna spawn at, but you can just click on where you wanna spawn. When my friends and I first found out you could do that they did that everytime they were respawning and it got kinda annoying.


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