Third-gen Xbox to be "forward compatible"?
Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:16AM EDT
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You've heard of "backward compatibility," right? Well, try bending your mind around this one: "forward compatiblity." Sounds pretty strange, but that's what one gaming blog is predicting for the next Xbox—essentially, the ability to unlock true next-generation features built into upcoming Xbox 360 games.
Even better (or so the rumor goes): With "forward compatibility," new 360 games would fully support the updated controllers on the next-gen Xboxes, and could also feature downloadable content exclusive to the new console.
Xbox Evolved's sources go on to say that Microsoft is "'testing the waters' before they nail down the final specs for the new machine," and that "introducing these options early on to developers means that the games they make for the Xbox 360 will have [new] life on the next platform."
Of course, this is all just a rumor for now; no comment from Microsoft, and I doubt we'll get one. And naturally, other gaming blogs are sounding a skeptical note—for example, Kotaku notes that "it's entirely possible this could work, but I'm not sure how cost effective this would be both on the hardware and software side."
Still, it's an interesting concept, and it could help solve one of the problems that dog all new gaming consoles—a dearth of next-generation titles at launch. If future Xbox 360 games had "sleeper" forward-compatibility features already built in, then the Xbox 720 (or whatever Microsoft ends up calling it) would arrive in stores with a slew of hits ready to go (such as, say, Halo 3: Recon or the next Call of Duty, post-World at War).
What's your take—does "forward compatibility" sound plausible, or think it's just a pipe dream?
Related:
RUMOR: Next Xbox to be “Forward-Compatible” [Xbox Evolved]
Comments on Third-gen Xbox to be "forward compatible"?
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2 Posted by sanebick on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:03PM EDT Report Abuse
I wish I could not have to go buy the game. especially if it dropped the price a little bit for no packaging. i imagine the hard drive would have to be huge though, although the games would probably run a bit more smoothly
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3 Posted by pumpmar on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:22PM EDT Report Abuse
what a dumb idea my 360 sounds like its going to blow everytime i play it anyhow, im just waiting for the day that it sets itself afire when im in the middle of gears of war
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4 Posted by generationhar on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:07PM EDT Report Abuse
I heard that in 4 years, a new console from the 3 console system creators will come!
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5 Posted by jason_cobbs on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:29PM EDT Report Abuse
This is like buying a nintendo and being able to play SNES games on it? I don't believe it for one second that Microsoft is going to create that capability... sure it may be possible but there goes your hardware sales for upcoming XBOX gens. I'll believe it when I see it.
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6 Posted by sir_mat_jones on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:24PM EDT Report Abuse
uhh.. didn't this already sorta happen... Anyone remember the game Black which was designed to play better on the 360... what about all the other original xbox titles which had their graphics/framerate upped on the 360 (i.e. Halo 2 and Fable)
1 Posted by d_gunde on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:50PM EDT Report Abuse
Sega tried this with the 32x add-on to the Genesis/Mega Drive. It failed miserably. My guess is that the same thing will happen to Microsoft.