If you’ve been eager to install Twitch.tv on your Xbox One so you can stream your next gaming session, it looks like the wait is going to be a lot longer than originally anticipated.
While neither Microsoft nor Sony were able to deliver everything they showed off during their next-gen launch events, one big thing that the PS4 has over the Xbox One right now is direct broadcasting. Microsoft’s internal recording and upload studio is a lot of fun, but what many users care more about is live video.
Twitch.tv and YouTube live video broadcasting were teased at launch, and so far neither has been delivered on the Xbox One. Twitch has been running ever so smoothly on the PS4 for quite a while, smooth enough that Twitch had some early problems with it being used for live sex shows. And while they would love to support Xbox One users it has been made clear that the ball is in Microsoft’s court right now according to this tweet.
Xbox One Direct Broadcasting: There is no ETA at this time from Microsoft. Expect a few more months. If we know sooner, we’ll update.
— Twitch Support (@TwitchTVSupport) January 8, 2014
Based on the way this was worded, it looks like Microsoft needs to release an update that will allow services like Twitch and YouTube to work. This flows nicely with the last minute horror stories that were heard prior to the Xbox One launch about Microsoft missing their own deadlines for firmware updates.
Much of the upset surrounding games playing at 720p vs 1080p at launch for the Xbox One was the result of developers not being able to optimize their games for the platform due to unnecessary processor cycles being consumed by things like Kinect running constantly in the background.
Microsoft’s next update to the Xbox One will include some serious performance enhancements for future games, but it will also most likely include direct broadcasting support. Unfortunately, no one has any clue when that update will come, and the assumption Twitch is making that the update is months away is troublesome.