The big takeaway from E3 2015, was that gamers could finally play ancient games on their new-gen consoles. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!
Jokes aside, Microsoft announcing proper backwards-compatibility on their Xbox One system with Xbox 360 games, was a hell of an announcement that brought the roof down at the Galen Center in Los Angeles. It’s a massive boost for the system, that if done right, could make it a system-seller.
Speaking to Edge, Microsoft’s Xbox division boss Phil Spencer explained why 2015 was the right time to finally reveal the Xbox 360 program for that console. “This, for me, as a gamer and as somebody who cares so much about the brand, has been the hardest thing about not leaking it,” Spencer said.
I’ve wanted to tell people, ‘Hold onto your 360 games!’ There were a hundred times where people had to stop me from tweeting that out over the past six months, because as I would see a game that works I wanted to tell people: ‘Keep it – don’t sell that! Even if you sell your 360, keep your games!’
So how did the Xbox One team get the older generation of games running on a console where back in 2013, it was declared impossible to do so? Pretty much the old-fashioned way: Emulation. “The team took the approach of effectively running the whole 360 OS on the Xbox One, which is why you can play with Live and everything else,” Spencer said.
That was the most difficult thing: could we get the 360 OS to boot so it thinks it’s running on native hardware? The nice thing is that the developers don’t have to do anything. They approve the game, we run it through a test pass, obviously, to make sure everything’s fine, then we have to wrap it up as an Xbox One game so the Xbox One knows you’re actually running a game.
I was in proper awe when this was announced before E3. I was honestly sitting there, smiling and then my internal memory re-activated. I had literally given a box full of Xbox 360 games, to my brother-in-law for Christmas.
Which is why you may have heard a high-pitched “FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU” on the stream for that event.
Last Updated: July 6, 2015
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 6, 2015 at 14:37
This should have been a selling point at the Bone launch. Not Fish with A.I.
24 Hour DRM check in. Should have just said, if you want to play unbroken games or old games you need to be on-line to download patches and emulators.
RinceThis
July 6, 2015 at 14:44
Agreed. Opportunity wasted.
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 6, 2015 at 14:48
Wasted, more like squandered by arrogance, while we all shouted our faces blue. It took 2 years for them to finally listen to the punters.
cloudzn
July 6, 2015 at 21:43
2 words ”Don Mattrick”
Lollies the Laughing Lollipop
July 6, 2015 at 14:43
Why would people want to play old Games when they have a newer more swankier machine.. Just keep your old console if you want to play the older games. Hell not even PC games are backwards Compatible on newer rigs unless you go through whole bunch of bullshit tweaks and stuff..
Yes Nostaligia.. but fuck living in the past. Do it right, if people loves your old game from the 90s remake it.. Like SqaureEnix is doing with FF7.
David
July 6, 2015 at 14:45
I’m not alone.
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 6, 2015 at 14:46
I would share your view if we were describing the 7th gen playing 6th gen games. You have to admit that the leap from the 7th to the 8th was not as pronounced as the years before. I still play Red Dead Redemption on the 360 and it is on par with modern games. BUT, when my 360 times out like my PS2 did, you are left with shinny tea coasters while your wallet supports next gen.
Lollies the Laughing Lollipop
July 6, 2015 at 14:58
Life is too short to be Stuck replaying old games you have played before.
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 6, 2015 at 15:10
That’s like visiting the Louvre to see its Art once to some of us crazy passionate gamers.
I watch Blade Runner every 3 years and see it in a totally different light each time.
The majority of games do age badly, some are time capsules and some you just appreciate even more when you realise just how far ahead of time they are.
Alan Wake gripped my nekker balls. Do I need to buy the remastered version again? no, quite content with the original. Same with FF7. We all relate to the Buddhist undertones of the game. No swanky remaster will change that.
Lollies the Laughing Lollipop
July 6, 2015 at 15:23
Blade Runner is a great film, But you wont watch it on DVD format if you got the Special Edition on Blue Ray will you..
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 6, 2015 at 15:24
Good point…
Alien Emperor Trevor
July 6, 2015 at 15:23
But you’ll reach enlightenment faster at 60fps! *run*
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 6, 2015 at 15:24
fucker 😛
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 6, 2015 at 15:24
fucker 😛
Brady miaau
July 6, 2015 at 15:19
For you, maybe. Not for some of other people.
WitWolfy
July 6, 2015 at 14:55
It’s not about “living in the past”. It’s about not having up to 30 consoles under your TV at the same time. I dunno about you; but I have a Xbox original, Xbox 360, PS3, Gamecube and a useless Wii U under my TV. I’M RUNNING OUT OF SPACE MAN!!!
Lollies the Laughing Lollipop
July 6, 2015 at 14:57
so then Bin them.. Why the hell you still even have a Original Xbox is beyond logic, Unless they are Mint Condition Sealed in Box that shits not worth anything.. No one going to buy it.. Tomorrow is Trash Day.. do your self a favor.
WitWolfy
July 6, 2015 at 14:58
A softmod Xbox Original is worth a lot kiddo.
Lollies the Laughing Lollipop
July 6, 2015 at 14:59
if its worth that much why haven;t u flogged it off yet..
WitWolfy
July 6, 2015 at 15:01
Pffft I had to search the deepest pits of Gumtree to find a working one. I’m not selling that for ANYTHING!
RinceThis
July 6, 2015 at 14:44
LOL. Got ALL my games still…
David
July 6, 2015 at 14:45
I don’t get the draw of backwards compatibility. I’m loving next-gen because it brings with it bigger worlds (look at The Witcher and tell me they could do that on PS3/XBox360 and not gimp the hell out of it.
I mean, sure fine people want to play their old games… why isn’t this just a niche interest though.
tl:dr – I want forward innovation over backwards compatibility.
WitWolfy
July 6, 2015 at 14:59
It can be done on 360/ PS3… It’s called MGS 5 TPP.
David
July 6, 2015 at 16:53
Are you comparing a game that is out, with a game that hasn’t been released yet (one which hasn’t got a old-gen next-gen comparison out even)?
WitWolfy
July 7, 2015 at 07:51
I’m talking about size. And FYI it did have an old gen to current gen comparison, its called MGS Ground Zero. Google is your friend
Just in case your TOO lazy…
http://microsoft-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/MGS5-Xbox-One-PS4.jpg
David
July 7, 2015 at 23:10
Okay – you confused me with “It’s called MGS5 TPP” which I know to be The Phantom Pain. But what you REALLY meant was MGS Ground Zeroes. Cool man, thanks.
But I’d like to bring your attention to the size of Ground Zeroes’ map compared to what they’re trying to do with TPP, so can’t really compare the 2.
WitWolfy
July 8, 2015 at 08:25
DUDE its the same game!! MGS GZ is just the PROLOGUE. Get a grip.
David
July 8, 2015 at 08:55
Oh shit son, are you saying The Phantom Pain is also going to be 2 hours long?
/s
Seriously though, you can’t just make something up to prove your point. It’s likely that The Phantom Pain is going to be a huuuuuuge ass game (compared to the size of GZ) and there will be gimping on last-gen systems – I can’t say for sure but neither can you – because the game isn’t out yet.
Truth is without playing The Phantom Pain, your point doesn’t make ANY sense. I’m talking about The Witcher 3 sized worlds, and you’re arguing the hypothetical with a game not even out yet (NO, a “prologue” 2-hour game doesn’t count as out for the rest of a game that isn’t out – jesus, it’s basic stuff here).
How about you get the grip, since you may need it to hold onto your hypothetical argument.
WitWolfy
July 8, 2015 at 11:06
http://i.imgur.com/NJuCqsP.jpg
Dude seriously do your research… Seriously…
David
July 8, 2015 at 12:57
You used a game to describe graphical prowess when I was talking about world building ala The Witcher 3. See why we’re not communicating nicely? You’re getting confused.
You also vaguely said, and I quote, “It’s called MGS 5 TPP.” When I pointed out that game wasn’t out yet, you said “I’m talking about size… its called MGS Ground Zeroes”. When I pointed out Ground Zeroes is small and can be finished in 2 hours so it’s no relevant to size, you said, and I again quote, “And FYI I used MGS GZ as graphical example”.
All while kindly telling me to “get a grip” and “do my research… seriously”, “everybody knows that” and “your TOO lazy” (it’s you’re by the way).
Even this post is unlikely to shine a light on just how ironically ridiculous you are being right now.
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 6, 2015 at 15:00
Depends, If you have a collection of R30 000 worth of 360 games then this is a huge positive to the game Connoisseur. If you are just buying the next COD of forward innovation then why bother.
Its not just about nostalgia either, some games are very unique, under the radar games that never sold and in this over saturated market where there are now well over 1000 360 games its a godsend 🙂
WitWolfy
July 6, 2015 at 15:02
I agree. Still owning more than 60 360 games myself I see this as a moerse PLUS!
Lollies the Laughing Lollipop
July 6, 2015 at 15:08
Honest Question Seeks Honest Answer.. Out of the1000 360games you say you own, how many have you replayed in the last 6 Month, Same Question goes to WitWolfy
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 6, 2015 at 15:17
I do know somebody who has over 1000 games because of his OCD.
I own 5 lol and I played XCOM last week, Abe’s oddysee (PS1 version) on the Vita while on the go and Red Dead before Next gen started on the 19th of May 2015 😉 Witcher 3 for winners.
David
July 6, 2015 at 16:52
I promise you, those people who have R30 000 worth of 360 games will not throw out their 360s and, if anything, forcing backwards compatibility on the rest of us without R30 000 worth of old games isn’t very good for business if it means gimping your console’s capabilities.
Brady miaau
July 6, 2015 at 15:18
Deus Ex:Hr
Dragon Age: Origins.
Mass effect
I want one console plugged into the main tv. Wife wants Xbox 360 to be plugged in elsewhere, purely to act a media server, so if that happens, then I will struggle to play old games.
WitWolfy
July 6, 2015 at 14:52
This is the main reason I’m getting a Xbone! Still deciding if I should buy it now, or when the feature launches though…
Lollies the Laughing Lollipop
July 6, 2015 at 14:54
No Offence.. But if you buy a BoxOne for any other reason than setting that piece of shit on fire.. you are retarded.
WitWolfy
July 6, 2015 at 15:03
Dude dont be a fanboy. This is a gaming site not a pro SONY or pro Ninty site.
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 6, 2015 at 15:21
Ninty are not pro Ninty 😛
Brady miaau
July 6, 2015 at 15:16
Yeah, sure. I will try to keep that in mind. Thank you for the informative bit of information.
Lollies the Laughing Lollipop
July 6, 2015 at 15:16
Always a pleasure enjoy ur Monday.
Brady miaau
July 6, 2015 at 15:17
ta, thanks. You too!
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 6, 2015 at 15:20
What flavor is your lollie? 😛
Lollies the Laughing Lollipop
July 6, 2015 at 15:21
It has a earthy aroma with a suttle mushroomy undertone..
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 6, 2015 at 15:26
Lysergic acid diethylamide elfroot NICE 🙂
I prefer the hairy underarm sweat from a swamp hag.
Lollies the Laughing Lollipop
July 6, 2015 at 15:28
Thats the one.. Got a little Sunflower on the Wrapper..
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 6, 2015 at 15:37
lol
oVg "Signs of a Troll" -Geralt
July 6, 2015 at 15:26
Lysergic acid diethylamide elfroot NICE 🙂
I prefer the hairy underarm sweat from a swamp hag.
larra
July 6, 2015 at 14:57
This is the main reason I’m getting a Xbone! Still deciding if I should buy it now, or when the feature launches though… http://bit.ly/1GAr4hk
George Sumpner
July 6, 2015 at 15:45
I like it, i get to play Skate 2 again and Fable 2.
Jonah Cash
July 6, 2015 at 16:35
Great idea! Will definitely sell consoles. I am still waiting for the right game to launch on Xbox One before I get one.