Microsoft says that software developers can boost the performance of its Xbox One video gaming console by accessing system resources previously reserved for its Kinect motion sensor.
Simply removing the Kinect sensor from current Xbox One models won’t enhance the console’s performance. In a statement to Eurogamer, Microsoft said that its June SDK (software development kit) allows developers to access GPU resources previous devoted to the Kinect. Microsoft noted that “accessing the additional GPU resources is done by the developer, and how developers choose to access the extra GPU performance for their games is up to them.”
Microsoft says that it is “working with a number of developers on how they can best take advantage of these changes, and we’ll have more to share in the future.”
Utilizing the additional Xbox One resources could potentially increase the console’s GPU performance by as much as 10%.
When Microsoft launched the Xbox One last year, the console came with the Kinect sensor and was priced $100 above Sony’s (SNE) rival PlayStation 4 console. The Xbox One has not sold as well as the PlayStation 4, and Microsoft recent gave consumers the option of spending $100 less to buy Xbox One models without the Kinect sensor.
MSFT shares gained about 1% in Friday morning trading.
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