Xbox Scarlett camera to be bundled with consoles for 4K streaming

Microsoft may include an Xbox Scarlett camera with every next-gen console to support 4K livestreaming on launch.

According to a report on Gizmodo, the next-gen Xbox won’t be the only piece of hardware boxed wth the system.

In an article primarily about Sony’s upcoming console, PlayStation 5, the outlet detailed proprietary hardware that will encourage livestreamers.

Much like how the PS4 came bundled with the system’s PlayStation Camera for its standalone livestreaming service, the Nextbox will do the same.

“Microsoft will make the camera a huge priority,” the article reads. “Microsoft’s camera is allegedly capable of 4K resolution with just a two-frame latency between what is recorded and what appears on a stream.”

According to the report, Microsoft’s included webcam will also change the way it captures video in response to a game’s lighting.

With Xbox pushing its first-party streaming service Mixer –especially with streamer acquisitions such as Ninja – it makes sense that the company would push harder to create new streamers. With the Xbox Scarlett camera addition, it should be easy for users to become a livestreamer.

Hopefully Microsoft’s inclusion of a high-end webcam won’t drive up the cost of the next-gen Xbox system. The original Xbox One came under scrutiny at launch for the compulsory addition of a Kinect 2.0 with every console. Thankfully, Microsoft reverted on  the camera’s inclusion over time.