Microsoft explains how disabling Kinect unlocks Xbox One power

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According to Kareem Choudhry, a director at Xbox Software Engineering, the new Xbox Developer Kit will allow certain Kinect functions to be switched off in-game. Doing so will free up an estimated 10 per cent of GPU memory, meaning that the Xbox One will be capable of more graphically intense demands.

Since the release of the Xbox One and PS4, numerous next-gen games have displayed at higher resolution and faster frame rate on Sony's system. That includes the likes of Call of Duty Ghosts, Thief, Tomb Raider and Battlefield 4. It has led many consumers to believe that PS4 is a more capable system in terms of raw horsepower.

But the update is likely to curb the number of inferior Xbox One editions of multi-platform games.



Choudhry said the June XDK offers developers "more access to GPU bandwidth, which provides more performance, new tools and flexibility to make games better".

In an interview published on the Xbox website, Choudhry explained:

"Developers have more choice and flexibility to manage the resources of the Xbox One to deliver bigger and richer game experiences. Previously, 10 per cent of the GPU was reserved for system level processing which included Kinect-related skeletal tracking data.

"With this change, titles that are not using skeletal tracking with Kinect can choose to use that portion of the system reserve for other purposes. We have also optimised the entire system so that titles have access to 100 per cent of the Xbox One GPU for increased resolution and graphical effects."

'Optional feature'

The trade-off is that certain Kinect features will be disabled for games that are using the extra GPU memory.

"Kinect Depth and infrared sensors which enable biometric sign-in skeletal tracking, controller pairing, etc, will no longer work for these game titles," Choudhry added.

These optional features will only be switched off in-game, and reactivated if the system switches to another process. Contrary to initial reports, platform level voice commands will remain active regardless, meaning that Kinect will still pick up phrases such as "Xbox, record that" and "Xbox, go home". Snap mode will also remain usable.

Choudhry also explained that the Xbox One can switch Kinect resources on and off at certain points in a game.

"Developers can choose to disable Kinect depth and infrared sensing in different parts of their titles," he said.

"The full Kinect experience including skeletal tracking is automatically re-enabled when the user switches back to Home (or other applications), even while in the middle of a game."

This feature cannot be retroactively enabled on previous games, he added, though future titles such as Destiny and Sunset Overdrive will take advantage of them.

In May, Microsoft announced it is dropping Kinect as a mandatory Xbox One accessory. The company states it remains committed to the peripheral.

Posted:
Related Forum: Xbox Forum

Source: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/468755/microsoft-explains-how-disabling-kinect-unlocks-xbox-one-power/

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"Microsoft explains how disabling Kinect unlocks Xbox One power" :: Login/Create an Account :: 41 comments

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ZE_BLUEZPosted:

Saints768
TrueHardcoreGamer i like how they quoit 'Optional feature' The trade-off is that certain Kinect features will be disabled for games that are using the extra GPU memory. &10 per cent of the GPU was reserved for system level processing which included Kinect-related skeletal tracking data.

SO there for Xbox-One will STILL NOT BE MORE POWERFUL than PS4, for fact This ONLY apples to SOME GAMES if they Developers allows it to use 10% more power for there game by Disabling the Kinect so the Kinect will use the 10% by Default on the systems so technically it still Powerless. this just an Microsoft Excuse why cant they just ALWAYS Lission to there FANS... Nintendo Lissions to there Fans so dont Sony, i never understood why Microsoft Lissions to there fans ONLY when things go WRONG stead ALL Time, But i'm Sure Things Will Get More Better Soon =) Cant wait for GTA5 & Destiny i played the Destiny Alpha Beta & MAN the game is awsome & plays smoth & it had like NO Problems so if u are looking or thing of getting it. GET IT it was an awsome game played it for the hole Week of the beta even killed 1st boss alot times and every time was & the maps was huge & can get lost if u dont kno the area of the maps =)


You said "only if the developers allow it." Uhhh no. The only games I think that the kinect is mandatory are those fitness and kinect sports games, other than that, kinect will always be optional. For Example, in Ryse, you can use the kinect for voice commands, but its not mandatory you can play ryse without the kinect. So its not if the developers allow it.
Also I think Microsoft did take a big downfall by last years E3 with the whole TV nonsense. But I think they have now started to listen to the fans, they made the X1 400$, they took off the kinect off the packaging, they showed mainly all games at E3. Baby steps but they are listening to the fans.

P.S.
This is how you spell "Listen"


Guy at the top you are brainless sir, learn to fully read and comprehend what's being put in front of you. This has been explained so many times and yet you lack the ability to understand what is being said about GPU. Idiot...

Saints768Posted:

TrueHardcoreGamer i like how they quoit 'Optional feature' The trade-off is that certain Kinect features will be disabled for games that are using the extra GPU memory. &10 per cent of the GPU was reserved for system level processing which included Kinect-related skeletal tracking data.

SO there for Xbox-One will STILL NOT BE MORE POWERFUL than PS4, for fact This ONLY apples to SOME GAMES if they Developers allows it to use 10% more power for there game by Disabling the Kinect so the Kinect will use the 10% by Default on the systems so technically it still Powerless. this just an Microsoft Excuse why cant they just ALWAYS Lission to there FANS... Nintendo Lissions to there Fans so dont Sony, i never understood why Microsoft Lissions to there fans ONLY when things go WRONG stead ALL Time, But i'm Sure Things Will Get More Better Soon =) Cant wait for GTA5 & Destiny i played the Destiny Alpha Beta & MAN the game is awsome & plays smoth & it had like NO Problems so if u are looking or thing of getting it. GET IT it was an awsome game played it for the hole Week of the beta even killed 1st boss alot times and every time was Fun & the maps was huge & can get lost if u dont kno the area of the maps =)


You said "only if the developers allow it." Uhhh no. The only games I think that the kinect is mandatory are those fitness and kinect sports games, other than that, kinect will always be optional. For Example, in Ryse, you can use the kinect for voice commands, but its not mandatory you can play ryse without the kinect. So its not if the developers allow it.
Also I think Microsoft did take a big downfall by last years E3 with the whole TV nonsense. But I think they have now started to listen to the fans, they made the X1 400$, they took off the kinect off the packaging, they showed mainly all games at E3. Baby steps but they are listening to the fans.

P.S.
This is how you spell "Listen"

-Excite-Posted:

So you have a choice kinect or no kinect.

MissPosted:

I hope it as "stronger" as they say it will be when it's disabled.

imaqtpiePosted:

Good, Kinect is absolutely horrid.

TrueHardcoreGamerPosted:

i like how they quoit 'Optional feature' The trade-off is that certain Kinect features will be disabled for games that are using the extra GPU memory. &10 per cent of the GPU was reserved for system level processing which included Kinect-related skeletal tracking data.

SO there for Xbox-One will STILL NOT BE MORE POWERFUL than PS4, for fact This ONLY apples to SOME GAMES if they Developers allows it to use 10% more power for there game by Disabling the Kinect so the Kinect will use the 10% by Default on the systems so technically it still Powerless. this just an Microsoft Excuse why cant they just ALWAYS Lission to there FANS... Nintendo Lissions to there Fans so dont Sony, i never understood why Microsoft Lissions to there fans ONLY when things go WRONG stead ALL Time, But i'm Sure Things Will Get More Better Soon =) Cant wait for GTA5 & Destiny i played the Destiny Alpha Beta & MAN the game is awsome & plays smoth & it had like NO Problems so if u are looking or thing of getting it. GET IT it was an awsome game played it for the hole Week of the beta even killed 1st boss alot times and every time was Fun & the maps was huge & can get lost if u dont kno the area of the maps =)

DeluxeHazardPosted:

I hated how the Kinect would pick up you getting mad and giving you a card in FIFA. It sucked so much.

LatiasPosted:

Sadly 10% more power doesn't equate to much graphically. I also find it funny where just a couple months ago Microsoft said the Xb1 and Kinect were "inseperable". Right.

I wish I had held out for the kinect less SKU. I paid more for a inconsistent addon.

MaggardoPosted:

It should help the Xbox Ones power enough, to make some higher resolution games.

TricksPosted:

I only use my Kinect to sign in, other than that I talk into it because I use 360 Turtle Beaches. But I retired from competitive to focus more on my classes. The Kinect is quite annoying tbh, especially when I'm playing 2k and get a technical for cussing. Kind of cool that disabling it will make my One better.


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