320°

Why Backwards Compatibility Isn't That Necessary

Currently, if you’re an Xbox preview member, you can start trying out the Xbox One’s backwards compatibility. We’ve all heard of this and the fact that Microsoft announced backwards compatibility for the Xbox One, which will support around 100 Xbox 360 games (it starts at the end of the year, 2 years too late guys…). This is great and all, but it isn’t necessary, or even any kind of a requirement for the vast majority of gamers. Consider this last sentence a trigger warning for some of you.

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thegamebolt.com
Sonyslave33649d ago ShowReplies(16)
N0TaB0T3649d ago

Why is having access to more games bad?

Ricegum3649d ago

This ^

Xbox fans moaning about Sony fans downplaying the feature, Sony fans moaning about Xbox fans completely over hyping it.

Backwards compatibility is a good feature. Game changer? Not at all. Just a good feature.

Professor_K3649d ago

like uncharted and horizon right?

let people hype what they want

Vegamyster3649d ago

I disagree, i game primarily on a PC and every large Steam sale i always find a game i missed the first time around that i want to give a try, Xone's BC is different since not every game is supported and its emulated but it's still a great option to have.

SonofGod3649d ago Show
marlinfan103649d ago (Edited 3649d ago )

What do you or anyone else care what people hype up? It's pretty sad when you guys feel the need to downplay something because someone might be excited about it

ShinMaster3648d ago (Edited 3648d ago )

BC is great.
But it's overhyped in that Xbox fanboys keep bringing it up as if it was a new game to downplay the game announcements from Sony's conference.
Expected consequences.

@ Dr_K

Uncharted 4 and Horizon are new GAMES.
Backwards compatibility is a feature.

NatFanBoyRestricted3648d ago

Shinmaster,there will always be new games. Always, get over it, but getting hardware to do different things then intended is different. Allot of playstations player base on this site will downplay the shit outta BC because it's related to Xbox. There's more Ps people here then Xbox people. The more people try to downplay something small, simple, and free is just starting to look stupid know. Even over hyping it. This community is something else

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carlosjrix3649d ago ShowReplies(2)
Raf1k13649d ago

Correct me if I'm wrong but from what I saw on the MS conference it seemed that BC on the Xbox One was for digital games so discs won't work.

MSpence5163649d ago

Disc games do work. The One installs the game in order to run the emulator. Whether you need the disc after the initial install, I don't know, but would assume so.

rainslacker3649d ago

For supported games, when you insert the disc, it will download the digital version from XBL.

You'll still need the disc in the drive for authentication purposes. If you brought the game digitally though it should work the same as on the 360.

Vystrel3648d ago

I was hoping disc games would only be a local install but youll need to download the entire digital version and leave the disc in. Other than my slow internet and need for a large external drive I am still looking forward to it.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3648d ago
Sly-Lupin3648d ago

Because of idiot fanboys who will bend over backwards to defend the worst kind of nonsense.

I particularly enjoy the nonsensical argument that, "X is irrelevant, because I don't like X."

See it from idiots all the ****ing time; and it feels like there are more and more idiots in the gaming community now than ever before.

chuckyj13648d ago Show
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Neonridr3649d ago (Edited 3649d ago )

Of course it isn't necessary. But it is a welcome addition.

If I surveyed a bunch of PS4 gamers and asked if they would rather have a PS4 or a PS4 that played PS3 games, what do you think the voting results would be? Are you telling me that everyone would be like.. "Oh I bought a PS4 to play PS4 games, I never want to revisit any old games on this new console ever again"..

??

I can't understand why so many people are trying their darndest to put this thing down. Nintendo has always been praised at their ability to offer backwards compatibility with their previous systems. It's not required no, but some people spend a lot on their game collection, and it's nice to not have to keep multiple consoles hooked up to the TV just so that if you can revisit an older game.

People say that this feature would have only been beneficial at the launch of the console. Consider for a moment that there are still a lot of people that haven't jumped on the next gen train. Last I checked there were over 150 million combined consoles sold from Microsoft and Sony during the Xbox 360 and PS3 generation. Last I checked there was only about 35 million or so PS4 and Xbox One owners..

That means there are millions of people that have not made the transition yet. This feature could be something as a bonus to entice 360 owners to ditch that console and make the upgrade.

Now we know that not all titles will be supported so it's not like Nintendo's backwards compatibility, but you can guarantee that any first and second party titles will work along with select third party games so there's a good chance a chunk of their library will be supported eventually.

LifeInNZ3649d ago

The first line of defense (or attack) when a competitor offers something you don't is to downplay it. However, the only way BC should be seen as a bad thing is if they had to take away other features to make it happen.

I've yet to see a single argument that makes me think BC is a bad idea/feature.

MysticStrummer3649d ago

"I've yet to see a single argument that makes me think BC is a bad idea/feature."

I've yet to see anyone claim it's a bad idea/feature, just that it's overrated as a system seller or E3 conference winner.

WelkinCole3649d ago

Off course many PS4 gamers would want BC for PS3 if it was an option. But for an added cost most likely all of them would say no.

Its a nice feature but it is not the second coming of Christ like many xbox gamers are claiming.

35 million in the first two years are generally the hard core gamers with a collection. Not the casuals that jump in later that generally don' have much of a collection to begin with.

Even then, most of them will jump in when there is already a back log of current gen games that many would prefer to play than replay any old games they might still have.

Its really is in the early days of a new gen that BC would matter a bit because there are still great previous gen games release with little to no new current games available.

Some xbox fans are expecting BC to turn the tide but they are solely mistaken. Just like they were with more markets for x1 or DX12 etc.

Neonridr3648d ago

you said it there though, you would want it, but not for an added cost.

which is exactly what MS delivered.

NatFanBoyRestricted3648d ago

Welkin, where exactly are the Xbox gamers claiming this to be as big as you describe?

WelkinCole3648d ago

Neodir. The point is it is not a must have feature that PS fans would pay for.

Yes x1 fans will not pay for it and that's why it was a great feature when announced. However it is clear you and I both agree it is not going to win MS the console.

@macxb1. Go into any Who won E3 articles and you will find plent of them there.

rainslacker3649d ago

I'm sure a majority would say they wanted the feature. Particularly if it were at no added cost and if it didn't take away anything from available resources and all that.

If they had to pay for it though, I think the number would go down significantly.

But, I have seen plenty of people say that they buy a current gen console to play current gen games, and that they don't care about BC. This has been said countless times before there was BC on either console.

Sly-Lupin3648d ago

Forget PS3 b/c for a moment.

What about PS1 and PS2 b/c?
There's ZERO excuse for its absence from the PS4.

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uth113649d ago ShowReplies(1)
StormLegend3649d ago ShowReplies(1)
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260°

AMD CEO Shares Vision Behind Xbox Partnership and Next-Gen Chip Roadmap

AMD CEO Lisa Su talks about the Xbox AMD partnership, next-gen Ryzen + Radeon chips, and AI rendering tech coming to all Xbox devices.

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clouddosage.com
Obscure_Observer23h ago

AMD is really building hype around their unique partnership with Microsoft to help and build an advanced and seamless Xbox ecosystem across all Xbox consoles and devices.

I wonder what she meant by "full roadmap of gaming optimized chips" though? Seems ambitious.

Next year´s Xbox Showcase already looks promising and exciting. Here´s hoping they deliver.

InUrFoxHole17h ago

They had best show 3yrs in a row. Heading for another

VenomUK10h ago

Obscure_Observer said “I wonder what she meant by "full roadmap of gaming optimised chips" though? Seems ambitious.” To me, I interpret this to mean rather than having a couple of X/S products for launch and a handheld there is a longer term plan to release new products with higher specs at timed intervals. I’m speculating of course, but this could mean a spec bump every year or two, so that even if the PS6 or Steam Deck Home is released a year after ‘Xbox’ Microsoft can release an updated model that has a higher spec.

Agent7514m ago

But Microsoft forgot the games.

KwietStorm_BLM5h ago

It's X3D chips for console. Everyone knows this. And it's been rumored in the PS6 forever.

Ganif3h ago

Correct.

"Sony's PlayStation 6 reportedly will feature an AMD semi-custom APU with a Zen 5 CPU and UDNA GPU, capable of 4K 120FPS and 8K 60FPS gaming. The console will include X3D cache and advanced AI upscaling technology."

https://www.tweaktown.com/n...

Obscure_Observer5m ago

"It's X3D chips for console. Everyone knows this. And it's been rumored in the PS6 forever."

I doubt that AMD´s CEO would waste her time making this huge and important partnership announcement over a tech that will be 7 years old by the those next gen consoles will be released.

Agent7514m ago

But Microsoft forgot the games

Obscure_Observer8m ago

@VenomUK

"I’m speculating of course, but this could mean a spec bump every year or two, so that even if the PS6 or Steam Deck Home is released a year after ‘Xbox’ Microsoft can release an updated model that has a higher spec."

Very interesting theory. Still not sure how MS would actually make it work.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 5m ago
Fishy Fingers22h ago(Edited 22h ago)

Some odd, deliberate wording, no branding, not 'Xbox consoles, Xbox handhelds' specifically, feels and sounds like they're building towards hardware that anyone can be used or licensed to/by themselves and other manufacturers.

Multiplatform software and hardware 'Xbox/AMD APU'.

Obscure_Observer22h ago

I guess you missed Sarah Bond´s next generation Xbox announcement this week, were she clearly states:

"I´m thrilled to share that we´ve established a strategic multi-year partnership with AMD to co-engineer silicon across a portfolio of devices, including, *our* next generation *Xbox consoles*."

But hey, I don´t think you´re entirely wrong, maybe MS will build their own Xbox consoles while licencing other manufactures to build and sell their own Xbox branded consoles. Who knows

BeHunted17h ago(Edited 17h ago)

I think you watched the wrong video. It's below the description, or you can watch it directly on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/kprpRvsOua...

HyperMoused22h ago

Shares vision....we provide chips for money, this deal will sell many chips, we will make lots of money...good vision

Christopher21h ago

The marketing behind this is so heavy that I worry about the actual outcome. Why are they just not showing us the product, why all this talking in market speak?

Lightning7717h ago

Probably because the next xbox isn't ready to release yet?

The marketing and rumors seem to be heavy out of no where. The rumor was a 27 release but it maybe it could be 26 new console launch instead.

Who knows.

Eonjay5h ago

There PR is alrways super heavy handed. No one is acutally buying an Xbox as is.
Also it is very early to be talking so much about a next gen console.

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210°

Activision Forces Adverts into Call of Duty Black Ops 6 and Warzone Loadouts

With the launch of Call of Duty Season 4, Activision quietly put adverts inside loadouts for Black Ops 6 and Warzone, sparking a backlash in the process.

19d ago
19d ago
lukasmain19d ago

Putting Ads in a pay-to-play Premium title? Well done Microsoft. Well done /s This is really scummy.

jjb198119d ago

This game will never change because these sweatlords love buying up all the skins and bundles that become obsolete the following year. They're the ones perpetuating Activision's greed.

VenomUK18d ago

If Microsoft introduces adverts into its other games I hope it can do them without disrupting the immersion of the game world. So for example in the new Fable game it would look out of place if there was a billboard advertising Cadillacs.

A far better way to do it would be to have a wizard conjure a 'dream cloud' in front of your character and then in the cloud you can see the Cadillac car and see the text with price and availability and hear a booming sales voice promoting the car. That would work so well as it wouldn't be a billboard and completely, 100%, fit in with your character's adventuring in Albion. Doesn't that sound so much better?!

crazyCoconuts18d ago

@venom, or how about our of 100 farts in Albion, 1 of them has a Cadillac pop out

VenomUK18d ago

@crazyCoconuts That’s undeniably off-beat - but it could really work!

19d ago
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410°

Xbox's first-party handheld has been sidelined

Xbox's handheld ambitions continue unabated, but the focus is shifting towards improving Windows 11 for third-party handhelds — for now. The Xbox Series X 'Melrose' successor is safe, with development continuing at full pace.

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windowscentral.com
21d ago
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shadowT21d ago

Is there really a market for handhelds next to mobile?

Vits21d ago

If they run the same games as the main home console, then yeah, sure.
But if they need specially tailored games just for them? Probably not, unless there isn't a home console for comparison (see Switch).

RaidenBlack20d ago (Edited 20d ago )

I am kinda low-key happy this happened.
Dont want another Series S situation (games to be designed from 4 to 12TF scale and not 10 to 12TF).
Hope PS follows suit as well. Tablet SKU sharing with console for 10th gen, will just continue the cross gen -esque development/design phase/nature.
Want a proper 20+ only TF rasterized next-gen plz (+ frame-gen and the lot).
If anybody wants to continue the cross-gen, the Series S|X, PS5 will remain for that. And Switch 2, if you gotta go even lower in the TF range.

ABizzel121d ago

Yes and No. All of the PC handhelds combined have struggled to sell 7 million units, which would be a flop for any “console”. So the market is extremely niche because of price and target market (the informed hardcore gamer / casuals aren’t picking these up).

These handheld PCs are $500 or more, and offer at best Xbox Series S performance levels, so it’s best for MS specifically to just partner with ASUS, instead of investing millions if not billions.

Sony can make their own with custom AMD hardware due to their partnership, and stronger global brand for hardware. But even then it brings the question, of being a lower resolution PS5, and what does that mean for PS6 cross-gen (likely another generation where the first 3 - 4 years are just upgraded last-gen games).

Kosic20d ago

Imagine a Wii U style console, where the tablet doesn't rely on the console it's self, you download the game on the console under the TV and play in 4k glory, then you can remote play, get some unique game features if using both console and handheld in tandem. Then you can download the games in 720-1080p to play on the go, continue your progress, and continue on the TV when you get back.

Sony could get away with this due to exclusives, and that would be a reason for sales. Look at the portal.

I can picture seeing new hardware having some sort of GPU dock, where the handheld runs 1080p, and the dock has additional hardware to bring in 4k/60 specs.

I do think handheld gaming is going to be a strong future, imagine Nintendo release a new upgraded GPU dock for the Switch 3, every 2 years. More frames, sharper graphics on the same game for an extra £150 for a dock with a built in GPU chip. Console cycles doesn't have to be renewed, just the hardware can be improved by them reselling docks to us again and again with small/yearly upgrades like mobile phones.

GamerRN20d ago

Did you just imply that Sony can make a better stronger handheld than Microsoft? You do realize we are talking about Microsoft, the tech giant, right? If Microsoft can't make one that's cost effective, Sony definitely can't...

Brand and market share means nothing when you are a trillion dollar company

ABizzel120d ago

@GamerRN

It has nothing to do with what company can do it, or what company can spend.

For anyone taking a basic business class there is a term called ROI, and Xbox home consoles are selling at an all time low, meaning their ROI on a handheld is a risk that doesn’t make sense, even if they can afford it. Businesses are there to make money and it doesn’t make sene for MS to invest in a handheld that’s a companion device when their current home consoles they’ve spent 20 years working on are at an all time-low, when they can invest with little risk with what ASUS already has to offer.

This is why Sony can build a better device, because they have less risk involved, meaning they can invest more in their own product, and they already have an exclusive partnership with AMD on creating features and hardware. So in this specific case, YES Sony can built a better handheld, due to custom hardware, customer tools, low level APIs, compared to an off the shelf product running Windows or a Window Xbox kernel =.

TheEroica21d ago

I play steam deck primarily... Don't play consoles or mobile. The deck covers it all.

badz14920d ago

@shadowT

The Switch is a handheld, so will the Switch 2. what are you on about?

Cacabunga20d ago

To run native games offline? Anytime

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CrashMania21d ago

Funny to see the alt already damage controlling and having a meltdown with multiple accounts in the comments already.

Sad for MS if true, a dedicated handheld would go down a lot better than a rog ally 2 with an Xbox sticker on it I think.

crazyCoconuts21d ago

It couldn't have succeeded for a number of reasons. Now they've retreated to the Windows front and trying to keep that relevant for gaming. How long before Windows Central realizes there won't be a real console successor to Series X either?

Lightning7721d ago

Except there is. That project is reportedly full speed ahead.

Outside_ofthe_Box21d ago

@Lighting77

So was the handheld until today...

Lightning7720d ago

@outside obviously not since they sidelined it and they wanna see how the Asus does. Are you saying they're gonna cancel the next console?

crazyCoconuts20d ago

@lightning - I'm admittedly trying to box you in here - Do you think the next Xbox console will have Steam on it?

Outside_ofthe_Box20d ago (Edited 20d ago )

@Lightning

Here we go with having to spell everything out.

If I told you yesterday that Xbox was going to sideline the handheld console what would your response have been? Probably something along the lines of "I doubt that since Phil has been talking about it for some time now"

My point is just because they are "full speed" ahead now does not mean that will not change in future. As we have seen with the handheld. Do you understand what I'm trying to say now?

Lightning7720d ago (Edited 20d ago )

Box me in? No you said the same thing you've always been saying for years now. Those are the rumors to have Steam integration.

What about it

If you told me they were gonna cancel it tomorrow it would nothing more than fanboy talking points. I only wait for credible sources not what someone else says.

Also this is the handheld not a full blown new console. The Asus is yet to release and they're waiting to see how that thing does. Critical thinking is my strong suit you should try it some time if you can. But Ok cool well you hang your hat on that I guess. Main New console is gonna get cancelled even though the handheld is a different marketing device than the main the console itself.

__y2jb20d ago

I think there is a 75% chance there will not be another Xbox. There is zero reason to buy one now. No way it can possibly sell more than 10m units after Xbox went third party.

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BLow21d ago

That's what they do. Goalposts shift like the wind.

I'm really confused on why they are making a "first party" device and also have a Rog Ally with their sticker on it. Make this make sense. How is their own device going to be any different?

Your console doesn't sell and they expect a handheld to?

RaidenBlack20d ago (Edited 20d ago )

The Rog Ally one is gen agnostic ... as you deciphered, it was to be the updated Rog Ally but just with Xbox branding. PC handheld with some Xbox features.
The handheld Xbox is/was supposed to be sharing the same gen/ecosystem with the next-gen (10th gen) Xbox. Think Series S but handheld ... it'll run the Xbox OS or whatever the next Xbox will run.
...
As for anybody wondering/confused why MS is doing another Xbox console ... coz mainly its the 10th gen of home consoles next, which started wayy back in 1972 for the 1st gen. And MS wanna be part in it, in the 10th anniversary gen of consoles. If they gotta bow out, they can't do that at 9th i.e just before 10th. They wanna stick around till the 10th or the X-th gen and check what the fuss happens.

Outside_ofthe_Box21d ago

Curious as to what excuses the spam was saying. Because prior to this news, the Xbox handheld was used as proof that Xbox is still committed to the hardware space. This handheld being scraped is not a good sign...

21d ago
Outside_ofthe_Box21d ago (Edited 20d ago )

@Spam
You can replace scrapped with pushed back if you like. It's not a good sign either way.

20d ago
1Victor20d ago

asq3= obscured: “ What’s your source on the handheld being scrapped? “
Read the article from Microsoft own website and one of your favorite quotations site when it’s something bad about Sony.
Oh BTW good luck with your next SPAM account.

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