Xbox One Firmware Update to Improve 4K Performance in Games

Ahead of the Crackdown 3 release date of February 15, Microsoft has released a new Xbox One firmware update to improve 4K performance in games. Targeted towards Xbox One X users, this should ensure parity in games like Anthem which see the PS4 Pro pull ahead in terms of frame rate. Hopefully, it should also result in better performance in upcoming titles like Far Cry New Dawn, Metro Exodus, and Jump Force.  Other fixes include improved Cortana responsiveness, as well as ensuring the Avatar Editor and Microsoft Rewards app work as they should when launched for the first time. Dubbed as OS version - 10.0.17763.4085 (rs5_release_xbox_dev_ 1902.190131-1620), it should be available for download right now. Here's the full list of fixes.

Audio

• Added reliability fixes to Cortana. 
• Unplugging a headset during video playback no longer results in audio loss before video playback freezes.
• Made audio system upgrades when switching from Home to a game or app.

Cortana

• Improved Cortana responsiveness to commands. 

Console

• Fixed an issue that caused some consoles to crash unexpectedly. 

Home

• Improved performance on the Home Dashboard. 

Mouse

• Improved mouse responsiveness to reduce lag. 

My games and apps

• Improved the installation experience for various FastStart titles.
• Fixed a problem in some games (e.g. Resident Evil 0) in which cutscenes would fail and the game would lock.
• Fixes an issue to ensure certain apps like the Avatar Editor and Microsoft Rewards work on first launch.

System

• Fixed an issue in which some people received the E203 error when taking a system update.
• Improved performance on the network port. 
• Improved performance and reliability on the save game feature when games are suspended.
• Improved speed and performance of My games & apps.
• Improved idle screen performance.
• Improved 4K visual performance in games.
• Improved the performance of the guide on Home.

Video

• Made improvements to the 4K video pipeline so that apps like Netflix display 4K content correctly.

The timing of this update is interesting as it follows reports of poor Xbox One X performance in upcoming games like Anthem. According to reputed video game tech analysis site Digital Foundry, EA's answer to The Division 2 and Destiny 2 is far from stellar on the Xbox One X. Odd considering Microsoft has tied up with EA to promote the game and Xbox Corporate Vice President Mike Ybarra has stated that Anthem would play best on the Xbox One X. Leading upto the Anthem release date of February 22 (unless you're an EA Access or Origin Access or Origin Access Premier subscriber), there have been two demos for the game.

While the first demo was subject to a host of issues ranging from quests not working as they should to infinite loading screens, the second Anthem demo was a lot more stable. Between them, Digital Foundry was able to judge how well the game runs. 

"Setting the console's [PS4 Pro's] video output mode to 1080p lowers the native rendering resolution to match, and running unlocked, Anthem almost always exceeds 35fps - often by quite some margin. Out of all the console iterations, this is the one I prefer most," the report states.

"Yes, there's a big drop in resolution and given the choice, I'd take a 30fps lock using the overhead this mode offers (an option that would really benefit Anthem) but if your choice is between 20-30fps at 1800p, or 35-50fps to 1080p, it's a no-brainer - the game just works better at a higher frame-rate even if it still doesn't feel particularly smooth or consistent. The PS4 Pro's full HD output makes reading the most intense firefights a lot easier: you get more visual feedback and lower latency."

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