Microsoft Clarifies What Kinect Features Xbox One Power Boost Affects

After several conflicting reports, Microsoft has officially clarified the specifics of Kinect processing power on Xbox One. Starting this month, developers now have the ability to turn off most of the Kinect's functionality to gain extra GPU resources, but some system-level functions cannot be disabled.

GameSpot recently reported that the new Xbox software update would unlock more processing power for developers to use. However, it was unclear where exactly these resources would come from.

Last week, Microsoft vice president Phil Harrison told Game Informer during an interview that developers were able to completely disable Kinect to harness the processing power dedicated to the camera. But Kotaku recently published an interview with Head of Xbox Phil Spencer that contradicted this. Spencer stated definitively that developers can now utilize the GPU power otherwise dedicated to gesture-based functionality, but voice commands cannot be disabled. Microsoft Studios creative director Ken Lobb corroborated Spencer's statements in an interview published on Eurogamer.

Today, on its website, Microsoft officially confirmed the policy described by Spencer. An Xbox Wire post clarifies the changes that the June update will bring. The infrared and depth-sensing functions of the Kinect can be disabled to free up GPU resources. However, regardless of the game, commands like "Xbox, on," Snap mode for TV and other windows, and video recording will always work.

The update will also allow the entire GPU to now be utilized for graphics processing, giving 10 percent more power than before. According to the post, "Previously, 10% 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 optimized the entire system so that titles have access to 100% of the Xbox One GPU for increased resolution and graphical effects."

This policy coincides with this month's release of a $400 Kinect-less Xbox One.