Microsoft: Xbox One install times need to improve

Since launch, many Xbox One owners have spoken out to say software installation (required for all games) is just too long. Microsoft feels your pain and wants to do something about it, Xbox executive Phil Spencer said today.

"I agree. We need to get better at chunking our games so the partial install allows game to start sooner," Spencer said on Twitter. His response went to a fan who said he might buy more games if installs didn't take 30 minutes.

Presumably, the "we" Spencer is referring to is Microsoft Game Studios, which publishes titles like Ryse: Son of Rome and Dead Rising 3, among others.

Though all Xbox One games must be installed, you can start playing before the installation is complete. Sony offers a similar feature on the PlayStation 4.

Long installation times don't appear to be materially holding back Xbox One game sales, however. Microsoft announced yesterday, citing NPD data, that it has sold 4.8 million retail Xbox One games in the United States so far, compared to 4.2 million for the PS4.