Microsoft has opened the doors to backward compatibility with the Xbox One console
One of the big juicy news nuggets coming out of Microsoft’s E3 presentation on Monday was the announcement that the Xbox One console will be backward compatible with a number of Xbox 360 games this fall. Customers enrolled in the Xbox preview program can get an early taste of the beta starting today, June 15.
According to a list provided here, the Backward Compatibility beta is compatible with Mass Effect, Perfect Dark, Perfect Dark Zero, Viva Piñata, Geometry Wars Evolved, and 16 additional titles. By the time the service opens its doors to all Xbox One owners, there should be well over 100 compatible titles.
Unfortunately, there’s a catch. For disc-based games, users must download the entire game to the console’s hard drive. Even more, these customers will also need to keep the disc handy, as they’re needed in order to play the associated game. Compatible titles that are already downloaded will show up in the program’s “Ready to Install” section.
The good news is that Xbox One owners won’t be required to purchase the digital edition if they already own the disc-based copy. The Backward Compatibility program is also free and will store achievements, DLC, and game saves in the cloud. Other features include Windows 10 streaming, Game DVR, and the ability to take screenshots.
This is a bold move for Microsoft and the Xbox One, as the feature will open up a whole new (and familiar) library for Xbox One owners. Microsoft tried its hand with backward compatibility in the past by including this feature in the Xbox 360, so the Xbox One announcement shouldn’t be a shocker to most Xbox-brand gamers.
According to Larry “Major Nelson” Hyrb, all game developers have to do is give Microsoft a seal of approval in order for a specific game to show up; no extra leg work needed. Thus, it’s possible we’ll see a huge library of Xbox 360 games by the time the holiday shopping days are upon us.
From maximumpc
from http://bit.ly/1HMnRKH
