No backwards compatibility for X-Box 2?

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Magoo - There had been speculation that MS would use the tech aquired via its purchase of Virtual PC, a popular piece of emulation software. I'd be surprised and dissapointed if Microsoft didn't maintain support for the older games.

Sources close to Microsoft's senior Xbox executives have confirmed that the company does not intend to make its next-generation console, which is set to be launched by late 2005, backwards compatible with existing Xbox software. Speculation about the backwards compatibility functionality has been rife since it emerged that Xbox 2 - codenamed Xenon - will have radically different hardware to the original system, with a non-x86 processor, no hard drive and an ATI, rather than NVIDIA, graphics chipset, all of which would make running Xbox titles on the platform very difficult.

It was widely believed, however, that Microsoft had retained a team of hardware emulation experts to work on the problem - although concerns over the viability of such an endeavour were voiced by some experts, especially regarding the company's ability to emulate the functions of the graphics unit in the Xbox without violating NVIDIA's intellectual property rights. GamesIndustry.biz has now learned that Microsoft does not plan to provide any backwards compatibility in the next-generation Xenon platform - and indeed, that senior executives at the company don't believe backwards compatibility to be an important feature for consoles. According to a source close to the project, internal Microsoft figures suggest that only 10 per cent of PlayStation 2 purchasers were interested in the console's ability to play titles developed for the original PlayStation.

News source: Gamesindustry.biz

bah- this is crap. turns out to be b/s.

#1 sadatkarim on 21 Jun 2004 - 17:16

I dont care for backwards compatibility either. Once the new games come out im sure they will blow away the old ones. But thats just me, some people may like old school games and im fine with that. Its just not an important feature to me.

Now bring some Xbox 2 screens dammit!

(3 replies) #2 Betaz on 21 Jun 2004 - 17:18

Oh I sure hope they don't provide backwards compatability. It's a COMPLETELY different platform, and to provide backwards compatability would mean they would have to spend time and money on emulation for the old system, they it would make the new Xbox cost more, and probably run the older games like crap. By the time the Xbox 2 is out, you will be able to buy an Xbox in a yard sale for $20. If you need one, do that. Plus, the people who would want backwards compatibility are people who already have Xbox games, and if you have Xbox games, you probably have an Xbox, therefore it's all just a waste to even bother with.

Now... that said, if they drop that HDD I will be very disappointed, that is a definate must have, but yes, screw the old games, just make the new games better

Edit: Also, might I add a note to Magoo's comment added at the beginning of the story... Virtual PC doesn't do 3d acceleration. That's a completely different ball game, so they can't just slap that on there and be done. It would still end up being a completely different program in the end

#2.1 digistil on 21 Jun 2004 - 19:29

As I just told someone else, the HDD is a definate no go.

#2.2 qwertyuiop1 on 22 Jun 2004 - 10:21

They are removing the hard drive so that people can't install Linux on it.!

#2.3 NimrodUK on 22 Jun 2004 - 19:40

Moron.... Thats not why!

The Hard Drive adds to the cost of the unit, and a lot of people didnt take advantage of it...
I dont think they really care that much that about less than 1% of xbox owners wish to put Linux on there consoles.... they wouldnt put everyone out due to a small few.

(3 replies) #3 SecretAgentMan on 21 Jun 2004 - 17:25

I would like to see backwards compatibility but it is not going to be a factor in my purchasing decision. Hopefully they will put a hard drive in again, that is what I really care about.

#3.1 digistil on 21 Jun 2004 - 19:28

The HDD is a definate no go. Sorry to disappoint you.

#3.2 SecretAgentMan on 22 Jun 2004 - 04:27

I can live with that.

#3.3 shao on 22 Jun 2004 - 08:25

after all the hype microsoft have spouted at us in the past years about the benefit of having a hdd it's odd to hear that their next console isn't going to have one. Hopefully the rumours of a high capacity memory card slot in and/or the rumoured plugin capabilities for the portable media centers are true.

#4 welshkid on 21 Jun 2004 - 17:39

shame

oh well

(5 replies) #5 Steffan on 21 Jun 2004 - 17:53

QUOTE

senior executives at the company don't believe backwards compatibility to be an important feature for consoles.

I think it helped Nintendo and Sony, but I could be wrong...

#5.1 threetonesun on 21 Jun 2004 - 18:09

Nintendo has never had a backwards compatable console. The Gameboy was, but that's it.

#5.2 Steffan on 21 Jun 2004 - 18:15

I'm not trying to be a smart*** here, but gameboy isnt a console? I thought it was consider to be a handheld console.

#5.3 radixvir on 21 Jun 2004 - 18:25

it is true the nintendo doesnt have backwards compatibility to boot, but it does have an addon that allows for use of gameboy games.

#5.4 threetonesun on 21 Jun 2004 - 19:27

I suppose, but they're the only competitors in that market. In the competition heavy home console market, Nintendo has never gone backwards compatable.

#5.5 shao on 22 Jun 2004 - 08:26

nintendo, of course, prefers to re-launch old games, and charge us for the benefit. A practice ms will be sure to follow.

#6 aitf311 on 21 Jun 2004 - 18:11

backwards compatability isnt as much of an issue as it would be if half of the people who own an xbox have it modded...which just means most people have illegal games...

(4 replies) #7 Tom Servo on 21 Jun 2004 - 18:15

although concerns over the viability of such an endeavour were voiced by some experts, especially regarding the company's ability to emulate the functions of the graphics unit in the Xbox without violating NVIDIA's intellectual property rights.

FFS! IT'S A ****ING PERSONAL COMPUTER RUNNING SOME LITE VERSION OF WINDOWS 2000 AND INCORPORATES DIRECT-****ING-X 8.1!!!

#7.1 radixvir on 21 Jun 2004 - 18:26

i think the xbox has some propritary nvidia extensions. it is a customized version of the geforce3. still they might have licensed the technology however they are trying to make this a budget console so i doubt it.

#7.2 Raa on 22 Jun 2004 - 08:45

ACTUALLY, I heard it was a customized version of a Geforce 4 MX......

#7.3 Tom Servo on 22 Jun 2004 - 14:34

Who gives a crap if the hardware is abstracted by a software layer?!

#7.4 NimrodUK on 22 Jun 2004 - 19:44

The fact that it runs on a lite version of Windows, and uses DirectX Technology isnt a down point at all....

It means when I play games on my Xbox, I know i'm getting superior graphics, and using proven windows technology...

So please, shut up

#8 mcb on 21 Jun 2004 - 18:28

if xbox2 is as powerful as they say, it should be a snap to have it run a virtual machine xbox1, that in turn runs an xbox1 game

#9 ghos on 21 Jun 2004 - 18:45

It may not have been considered a big selling point, but I'm sure it made the purchase of the PS2 easier to take since it could play PS1 games. Only need one box hooked up that way. I know it can limit the new product to provide that capability, but I think it helps ensure you maintain your market. Otherwise in a sense you are starting over.
I can remember it being frustrating that everytime Nintendo came out with a new console, none of the old would work in it. So I think providing that backwards capability is definiitely a plus. Of course now companies think of selling an old console for quite a bit longer beside the new one than previously so it could work out very well that way for Xbox. The old one introduces ppl to Xbox, and the new one moves them up in class, kinda like car companies.

(8 replies) #10 digistil on 21 Jun 2004 - 18:54

I've been following all of the next gen console development, and most industry analysts believe backwards compatibility to be crucial to the success of the next Xbox. As it became evident that Microsoft is poised to release the next Xbox next fall, analysts said Microsoft's first-to-market edge would be lost if it is not backwards compatible.

Analysts seem to believe the real problem a lack of backwards compatibility brings is a sign of poor planning and lack of a solid long-term plan.

#10.1 ubugmetoo on 21 Jun 2004 - 22:36

I would buy a xbox 2 only if it had backward compatibility. I got tons of games and it would be great to have one xbox instead of two big a$$ xboxs to play them on.

#10.2 SecretAgentMan on 22 Jun 2004 - 04:29

The next Microsoft console may not be big at all.

#10.3 jardragon901 on 22 Jun 2004 - 04:59

So? The Xbox 1 is still too big, having 2 consoles, no matter how small is annoying. I speak from experience from having a PS2, Xbox and a Gamcube all hooked up to my entertainment system, it takes a buttload of wires and patience to do it so having one less console is a definate plus for me.

#10.4 shao on 22 Jun 2004 - 08:49

get rid of the ps2, it's an odd shape, fairly large, and most of the games are crap anyway.

unless of course you're a dancedancerevolutionfreak or an eyetoyboy, in which case you probably don't deserve the other consoles anyway.

#10.5 SecretAgentMan on 22 Jun 2004 - 12:26

So true.

#10.6 DKAngel on 22 Jun 2004 - 12:51

OMg your sucks a noob i got my ps2 for my final fantasy games since there is only 1 on gamecube and none for the suckyassed stupid pile of crap junk boatanchored sized xpox

#10.7 SecretAgentMan on 22 Jun 2004 - 15:33

QUOTE (#10.6)

How about using english next time you make a stupid comment?

#10.8 ubugmetoo on 22 Jun 2004 - 19:09

I got a XBOX for US games. I don't want Final Fantasy. Who cares about FF. There are already too many FF games. All the games I ever wanted have been ported to xbox. So the ps2 can burn.

(1 reply) #11 O'Connor's a Nub on 21 Jun 2004 - 18:55

Oh well. Backwards compatibility would be nice, but it's not a must-have. I'm not really too disappointed. I just want a kick-ass console. Being able to play X Box games on it would have just been a nifty luxury.

#11.1 digistil on 21 Jun 2004 - 19:01

A nifty luxury is exactly it...it's like leather interior or A/C in a car....you don't need either, but they sure are nice.

#12 stncttr908 on 21 Jun 2004 - 19:19

By the fact that they're going from Intel/NVIDIA to IBM/ATi makes it hard enough to ensure compatability between the two. If it's between making sure that old Xbox games run on it or getting the most out of the next-gen games, I choose the latter.

(4 replies) #13 Krankerz on 21 Jun 2004 - 19:49

It's not X-Box. It's Xbox...****ing retards.

#13.1 yert* on 22 Jun 2004 - 00:46

Ok, asshole. But yeah, it's not X-box though

#13.2 jardragon901 on 22 Jun 2004 - 05:00

Err die.

#13.3 Ehrihk on 22 Jun 2004 - 05:12

Who cares!?

Is it that important to you?

#13.4 DKAngel on 22 Jun 2004 - 12:52

xpox get it right

#14 Zepolcire on 21 Jun 2004 - 20:18

Oh well. The main reason I would like to have Backwards comp. is because I dont have a lot of room for behemoth consoles.

(2 replies) #15 BTallack on 21 Jun 2004 - 20:43

I don't know of anyone that ever actually uses the backwards compatibility of their PS2 or GBA. After playing a PS2 game, a PSX game just looks like crap. Even the gameplay seems to lack. And with my GBA, I can't stand playing those old black and white games anymore.
I don't see this being a big problem.

#15.1 kussie on 21 Jun 2004 - 23:05

QUOTE (#15.0)

This isn't true in all cases. Having recently playing and finishing Final Fantasy X i wanted to play some of the old PS1 Final Fantasy's. So i went out and bought FF7-9 and this has provided many days of entertainment, but then i am die hard Final Fantasy fan now.

#15.2 DKAngel on 22 Jun 2004 - 12:52

yay for us final fantasy freaks =]

#16 kitchenutensils on 21 Jun 2004 - 20:50

its not so much a case that it doesn't have backwards support... its that they can't advertise that reducing sales. go ps2 anyway!

#17 mcb on 21 Jun 2004 - 20:56

question: would you be as willing to buy a new blu-ray dvd player if it did not support the playing of older dvds?

#18 radink on 21 Jun 2004 - 20:58

not a big deal, but the no hdd kinda sux. I hope they have something in its place to save data/music. I would have to hate to buy extra memory cards to save my games.

(1 reply) #19 Hills420 on 21 Jun 2004 - 21:11

WTF!?! Is this rumor or fact?

#19.1 digistil on 21 Jun 2004 - 21:27

Pretty much fact, as this has been suspected for many months, and no one (including Microsoft) has said anything to the contrary.

#20 SimplyPotatoes on 21 Jun 2004 - 21:56

this really does not matter to me much, i do dislike not having a hard drive, hopefully the rumors about supporting bluetooth and usb memory devices will be true. too bad the rumor about no hard drive is now a fact. having an SD usb memory device with 256megs would be fantastic, easily savegames mp3's and lots other xbox related material on there!!! i have to wonder now how the push for the wireless usb standard is going to have on this, if ms doesnt put bt on here...well thats just a mistake.

(1 reply) #21 Briandl79 on 21 Jun 2004 - 22:29

It's funny because when I heard the PS2 was backwards compatible I thought it sounded quite cool, but in reality very few PS1 games have been played on my PS2.

Having said that analysts can say what they may, if the PS3 isn't backwards compatible it won't really matter.

I'd rather see a focus on next generation games rather than a focus on last generation games.

#21.1 kussie on 21 Jun 2004 - 23:03

QUOTE (#21.0)

Sony have said that it will be backwards compatible with PS1 and PS2 titles.

Having said that analysts can say what they may, if the PS3 isn't backwards compatible it won't really matter.

#22 betax on 21 Jun 2004 - 23:44

The primary problem with Microsoft and their Placing of the Xbox is this winter's release heavy titles such as Halo 2... Are basically garbage after Xbox2. Most fans the Xbox do love their FPS gem... Especially if they have to buy a "new" one in 05... just after they bought one at the end of 04.

Halo is just an example..

#23 deiong15 on 22 Jun 2004 - 02:05

i think that its a very must needed thing for the consoles first few years because of small libraries. after a few years though its not really a necessity

(1 reply) #24 Slacker on 22 Jun 2004 - 02:37

this is a bad move on MS's part

#24.1 Slacker on 22 Jun 2004 - 02:37

not that they asked me

#25 htimsneb on 22 Jun 2004 - 03:30

At first I thought that lack of backward compatibility would be a turn off but than I realized that I'll still have my original Xbox and can still enjoy my Xbox games on it...

Why should M$ build compatibility into a new system? If they build a NexGen console that kicks the original Xbox's butt, wouldn't we ALL be better off? Instead, some folks want to handicap the new console by forcing it to have or emulate the old Xbox's graphics engine and storage technology.

When I bought my PS2, I can't say I played too many PSOne games on it, if any. So I say to M$, let's forget where we've been and lets see where we can take this mutha #$&@*!

(2 replies) #26 altermind on 22 Jun 2004 - 06:01

ati blows ass!

#26.1 SecretAgentMan on 22 Jun 2004 - 12:27

Yawn, what a retard.

#26.2 DKAngel on 22 Jun 2004 - 12:55

omg another nvidiot fanclub boy

(1 reply) #27 Nodiaque on 22 Jun 2004 - 06:02

funny though, we never saw a console backward compatible except with the gameboy and playstation... even now, nintendo console doesn't do backward compatibility (forget the handheld). Only ps2 does it, and surely ps3... But hey, if you can afford the new console, you can surely afford to get that old xbox 1 for 99$ and less in a supermarket once the xbox 2 is out... so what's the big deal...

#27.1 Xerxes on 22 Jun 2004 - 07:03

Yep, the PS3 gonna be backwards compatible with PS1 and PS2 games...as for Xbox 2 not doing backwards compatiblity, no problem that's what my Xbox 1 is for

(1 reply) #28 Gunbuster on 22 Jun 2004 - 09:15

The difference I can see is that non-backward compatible consoles usually have a name change. You wouldn't expect the Gamecube to be back compatible with the N64 as they aren't similarly named. The Playstation and Gameboy series share the same name with all their versions and so you expect backward compatibility. Having something called an Xbox 'insert number/name here' that doesn't play Xbox games would be confusing for the casual gamer.

#28.1 N_B on 22 Jun 2004 - 15:15

This is actually a pretty good point. I hadn't thought of it. But then again, I give jack about the name, when it comes out I am gonna know what it can and can't do. Guess I'm not "the casual gamer" any more.

#29 Moustacha on 22 Jun 2004 - 09:22

well, if there is no hard drive in it then i'm guessing there will be no backwards compatability even if microsoft dont do it themselves. chances are people who live in their basment with their parents will make an emulator, but no hard drive or storage then no backwards compat i say

#30 oVerboosT on 23 Jun 2004 - 07:31

Ill jus miss the custom soundtracks

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