Improving Xbox One install times ranks highly on Xbox boss Phil Spencer's platform priority list, though it remains to be seen when gamers might start to see zippier install periods.

"It's high on my priority list," Spencer told IGN.

Part of the reason that Xbox One install times are slower than PlayStation 4 times in some cases, Spencer said, is a result of Microsoft dropping the always-online requirement for Xbox One. He said Xbox One launch titles like Forza Motorsport 5 and Ryse: Son of Rome were developed with the assumption that all Xbox Ones would always be connected to the Internet, but this changed. "The change to having to deal with an offline-only state meant that all the install code-flows weren't as perfect as they could be," Spencer admitted.

"Are there systemtic reasons for that? Our drive's obviously the same speed, moving stuff into memory takes the same amount of time; hard drive speed's basically the same, so what's going on?" he said. "I'm capturing the data. I want to be state-of-the-art in install times so people can start playing games as soon as possible. It's high on my priority list."In response to this, Spencer asked him team to install third-party games on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 to measure the differences in install times. He said in some cases, Xbox One install times are in fact faster, but in others, Microsoft's console does "significantly worse."

So what, then, is the issue? Spencer wouldn't say outright, acknowledging only that, "There isn't one thing to say why are we two seconds slower on this game or frankly why are we two seconds faster on a different game. The issues are a little bit in the weeds. It's really our developer pipeline and our ingestion system where we have to do the most work."

"I'm not defending it at all, because I do think install times should be faster," he added.

Asked to specify where on the roadmap improving Xbox One install times is, Spencer reiterated that it's high on his priority list, though he didn't have a specific timeline to share.

"It's kind of a constant," he said. "It's one of the things that's on top of my list in terms of the parity experience between us and Sony, and making sure that the install times aren't deficient on Xbox in any way."

In January, Spencer first admitted that Xbox One install times need to improve. What are your thoughts on Xbox One install times? Let us know in the comments below.

http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-install-times-should-be-faster-microsoft-/1100-6423131/

So it's software architecture indeed.

Actually the install times are the same on both consoles. PS4 just let's you play before the install is finished.

They're not that bad and it's a one time thing. The only ones complaining about it are Sony fans IMO

That's not true. Lots of people are complaining a lot about the long install times. 

True. That's why SONY fans got faster install times on their PS4s than their PS3s. 

Go ahead and continue your MS clapping so they know they don't have to change a thing.

Is that just like last gen when the only people that complained about PS3 patching times was XBox fans?

Why would Sony fans complain? Makes no sense, their games install in a minute. I personally don't give a damn how long it takes an XOne game to install because I don't have one and never plan getting it. And that makes me very happy with no need for complaining?

OT: I believe that the always online architecture is the culprit, it just takes a while to get everything straightened out without causing bugs and problems in other areas.

But also, hopefully this will finally put an end to nonsense that PS4 had the same policies and dropped them in one afternoon. Obviously not true, as any reasonable person already knew, as they would also have games installing for an hour had that been true.

Thats pretty much BS though.

I have installed a few games now on my Xbox One. It only takes 20-40 min depending on your game. If you can't wait a half an hour and eat dinner or something while your game installs there is something psychologically wrong with who ever complains about waiting. Either that or they are Sony/Nintendo/Ouya fans.

And its sad to see a software company implementing poor performane in their systems.

There Art Games that install faster on X1? Which ones? Never heard of that before, I'm just curious.

That said, Spencer is right. Install times need to become way faster. I played years on PS3 and I know what a pain in the ass long Installations are. More than one Time, I got a new Game and had only about an Hour to try it out the Same day. If You have to wait 40 mins for an Installation and 10 mins for some stupid Patch, guess what: no gaming for You, sir.

Also, this isn't about console wars. Less waiting is always good for the Gamers, theres no denying that.