10 Mind-Blowing Gaming Features Everybody Takes For Granted

Though it came across as more than a little hoaky when the feature was first introduced with the initial version of Microsoft’s Kinect back in 2011, voice commands for consoles have grown to be much more useful and less intrusive.

When the Xbox One first launched, Microsoft seemed particularly keen on implementing voice commands into their games. There was a relatively large song-and-dance concerning in-game implications, though few gamers actually opted to yell “fire volley” at their TVs while playing Ryse: Son of Rome.

Today, the tech has taken a back seat when it comes to gameplay, though it can significantly improve the functionality of the overall console experience. Users can launch and quit apps, take screen shots, and even power off their consoles without actually pressing a button.

A small yet noticeable boost in overall convenience, it almost feels like something out of a science fiction movie when compared to the archaic gaming tech of yesteryear.

Voice commands could become even more useful in VR. Nobody likes fumbling around for a controller with a headset mounted to their face, and directing a console through speech could go a long way in remedying these issues.