One of the benefits of the convergence of operating systems between Windows and Xbox is that developers can target both platforms with a lot of shared code by leveraging the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) for development. However, games published to Xbox One through the Windows Store have thus far been relatively limited in terms of access to hardware resources on the console. Now, in a move that will please developers, Microsoft has announced it will free up access to more system resources for UWP games on Xbox One this fall.
Currently, UWP games can tap into 4 shared CPU cores, 1GB of RAM, and access to only 50 percent of the GPU for Direct3D11-based games. With the next big update coming to Xbox One this fall, UWP games will now have access to 6 exclusive CPU cores, 5GB of RAM, and full access to the GPU for Direct3D12-based games. Put simply, UWP developers should be able to eek out vastly better performance for their games on Xbox One.
Ultimately, Microsoft says, expanded resource access will have an impact on Windows Store games like Fallout Shelter, which was built on the Universal Windows Platform and is now available across Windows and Xbox One. Similarly, games created as part of ID@Xbox and the Xbox Live Creators Program on UWP will be able to access the extra horsepower as well.
