14 DAY TRIAL // Console gaming is a great way to spend time, but using the Xbox One or the PlayStation 4 extensively might have a big impact on the power consumption of a player, something that Microsoft is keen to address in the coming months.
The official Xbox Wire site explains that the company has reduced the amount of electricity used by the Instant-On mode by about a third and wants to make similar progress in the future.
The benefits will be felt both by Xbox One users and the environment, with Microsoft adding that, in the long term, it is aiming to become carbon neutral.
The company is also announcing that they are aiming to make the Energy-Saving mode for the console more prominent in the coming months.
They add, "New Xbox One owners around the world will be prompted with this choice in the initial console set-up process. Current Xbox One owners can easily make changes to their power consumption choices now in Settings under Power & start up."
Microsoft is not saying whether the changes are being made because of pressure from gamers or NGOs or whether it is simply aiming to deliver more options to the community.
The Xbox One is searching for an advantage over the PlayStation 4
Offering greater energy efficiency is one way to differentiate the Microsoft home console from its main rival, but will probably not result in too many new sales in the long run.
Phil Spencer, who leads the gaming-focused division at the company, says that in the coming months unique features will be introduced for the Xbox One.
They will first be offered to those who are members of the Preview program, and after testing, the entire community will get them via firmware updates.
Microsoft has already tried to improve sales of the Xbox One by introducing a price cut and by announcing some pretty cool bundles.
The company is at the moment aiming to deliver a solid slate of exclusive titles for the fall season, including the much-hyped Halo 5: Guardians.
The Xbox One is selling better than the 360 did at the same moment in its lifetime, but the device is still not managing to generate enough video game sales to compensate for the decline of its older sibling.