Rumor: Next Xbox to be 'forward compatible'

[Zeus]

Website Xbox Evolved is claiming that some 'insiders' have given them a barrage of new information on the next Xbox 360. Some of what they reveal include that it will be 'forward compatible', which will make previous games look and play even better and MS are in a stage of testing before nailing down the final specs of the new system.


This is something completely different however. Forward-compatibility means that games made for the Xbox 360 are made even better thanks to the features and hardware of the next Xbox system. This isn�t a side effect of textures being cleaner and upscaled resolution, this is a new animal completely. Imagine playing Gears of War 3 on your Xbox 360 it looks and plays good right? Well imagine that the year after it comes out you go out to buy the next Xbox and it looks even better, it plays even better. Features in the new controller are utilized with the game, the graphics do not only look sharper, but the draw distance is better, the speed is better, framerate, and there are even new features, perhaps even levels via DLC for the game on the third-generation Xbox. GoW3 is of course an example of what this could mean, past the forward-compatibility information, Xbox Evolved has not been given any other information about the next generation of Xbox.

Our sources indicate that Microsoft is in a stage of �testing the waters� before they nail down the final specs of the new machine. Introducing these options early on to developers means that the games they make for the Xbox 360 will have no life on the next platform, and allow them to begin much earlier in figuring out how the next Xbox works.


News Source: <A href="http://xboxevolved.e-mpire.com/article/3rd_generation_Xbox/4902.html" target="_blank">e-mpire.com</a>

[nwo504]

it'll make those rrod's look better too

[pezjono]

it'll make those rrod's look better too

That's just not even clever. On no level.

As a matter of fact, everyone who has just read your post is now dumber.

I award you no points and may God have mercy on your soul.

[iLLNESS]

so let me get this straight...

tthe rumour is m$'s revamped 360 will essentially be an improved 360 making current 360 games look better?

if this is the case, i can see them releasing games designed specifically for it leaving current owners forced to upgrade

could be good still however

[Vik Abominae X]

That isn't what "forward compatible" means...

Forward compatible would be if ORIGINAL XBOX ran 360 games...or if the PS1 system could run PS2 or PS3 software...

THAT is forwards compatibility...

no piece of technology will ever be FORWARD compatible, just because you can't forsee the future...

[DarkNikon]

So the new Xbox will play PS3 games?

[seann33uk]

i Love that they're thinking of making a new xbox already.
Maybe it is a new 360 model that bumps up the graphics.

Or a new system all together. (Xbox Evolved?)

But to bring it out after already throwing out the HD ready ELITE version last year :S they got more money then sense have those Micro$oft peeps

Gonna make sooo many Fans unhappy because they just spent a fortune on there 5th Xbox360 after the other four got the RROD:eek:
Aye well. i heard theres a new PSlim3 coming soon and that PSPHD to.

But i'm just waiting for nintendo to catch up and bring out the Puu

[Laquox]

means that the games they make for the Xbox 360 will have no life on the next platform

Spell check do you use it? The games will have "no life on the next platform"? Well that's not very promising...

[DieselGuy]

wouldn't it have been A LOT easier for everone to understand IF they would have wrote

"MS adding NEXT Generation code to Xbox360 games currently being developed" OR "Next year's Xbox360 GAMES to be Forward Compatible"

for example adding Shader 4.1 code to next years 360 game will only be "READ(RED)" by next gen xbox360

SEGA did this with their Sonic and Knuckles game...they added levels that were only accessed via Sega32X..

MS sucks.

[harryisme]

So would this be like the Bleem PS1 emulator released all those years ago that played PS1 games on the Pc with sharper images and anti-aliasing?

I'm confused by this rumour is it essentially a Xbox360 with upped graphics and more RAM, or is it the next gen console (xbox720) that will up the graphics of the 360? First one doesn't make sense why M$ would do and the second is something I'd expect anyway.

Doesn't make sense if it's a Xbox 360 with more horsepower because then developers would have to make their games like PC games and have two settings one with old Xbox and the other with more powerful 360.

Edit: OK now i've got it M$ are planning on making games released near the end cycle of the Xbox 360 forward compatible so that developers would still put in resourses for the platform because they can make their game available and optimised on two platforms and gamers would be more willing to move to the next console because they already have a library of games that will get a new lease of life on the next console. That's pretty smart.

[SpoonerPSP]

i Love that they're thinking of making a new xbox already.

You love it? I would hate Sony if they come out or even mention a PS4 3 years after releasing the PS3.

[DSnoob]

nice, nice, don't mind the fact that what they're describing is Upscaling, and not "forward compatibility" a forward compatible compatible console would be one that could play next-gen games, like if the original xbox could play xbox 360 games, that would be forward compatibility, giving games a longer draw distance and a higher antialiasing isn't any kind of compatibility it's just scaling up the current visuals, which by the way isn't always a good thing, since most games are made with the possible draw distance in mind, for example gears of war, who's to say that extending the draw distance wouldn't make everything look like **** beyond the treshold. the only thing even remotely close to forward compatibility is the PC since even if it is at a lower setting, most PCs can to some extent play games designed for better hardware.

[doxology]

i Love that they're thinking of making a new xbox already.
Maybe it is a new 360 model that bumps up the graphics.


it wouldn't be shocking if microsoft was getting close to even announcing a new console.

the original xbox came out in november 2001, the xbox 360 came out in november 2005. so the original xbox was only given a 4 year life. this november will mark year 3 for the 360. i expect that the 360 will have a slightly longer lifespan this time around because it was late to the game last gen, but a new xbox being unvealed i think could happen in the next year. consoles have to get time for hype and all that stuff. you never know what microsoft is thinking.

[KainXS]

why are you all freaking overs something WE ALREADY KNOW

its the equiv of running halo 1 on the 360 just better optimized

nothing new, i want to know the specs

[msanchez]

HUH!? so the next xbox will play all the titles from all future xbox consoles?? I wonder if it will tell me what # to play to win the lotto too.

Seriously though, harryisme, I hope, got it with his *edit*, and that makes sense. I would still prefer an approach like the ps2, and early ps3 made to BC, that is to say, I rather it be done to a certain extent with hardware, but it's always good to see them prepare for the future.

I don't think MS will be giving up on the 360 soon, at least I hope they're not, last time they weren't making any $$$ of the xbox, so they decided to do a pre-emptive strike on the market, and RRoDs aside seems to have worked out well. If they drop the 360 too soon it's bound to piss off some owners.

Anyways, not that it affects me, but if it's new code in the games, then YAY for them, if it's a new upgraded 360, then I can't say I agree with them.

[grapeape]

so let me get this straight...

tthe rumour is m$'s revamped 360 will essentially be an improved 360 making current 360 games look better?

if this is the case, i can see them releasing games designed specifically for it leaving current owners forced to upgrade

could be good still however

Sounds to me that they are taking a page from Nintendo, they have done that for years with their handhelds, yet we buy them every 2 years or so. :(

Maybe im totally off base, but the way I read it I think they are talking about basically making backwards compatability not only a "feature" but taking it beyond compatabilty by actually making them better rather than just the traditional upscaling, most likely their sdk will allow developers to add feature sets such as textures, sound, controls, etc that would could be taken advantage of fully on the next console but still be compatable with the current generation...no matter what if any side you are on that would be a slick way to make a smooth transition to the next console. Other things like HTML have done forward compatabilty for years...

After the backlash and assuming Sony sticks with the Core (which they should IMHO) I would bet that Sony will also do something similar to ensure that backwards compatability is integral and not just a costly addin. IMHO they should have gone the emulation route from the start, it would have saved money and would have created a more seamless migration for PS2 owners that couldnt afford to jump in at the release price.

[thatSONYguy]

What are they testing on? A PS3 and some PS2 games. I smell shenanigans or atleast they're looking the right direction. Being something that Sony was trying to dobut lost interest.:mad:

[Robotron]

Forward-compatibility is something like Sonic and Knuckles where they designed previous games to be part of a newer experience later.

This is just more strange PR spin than anything. Unfortunately MS believes in a short life cycle of a console, killing said console DEAD when the new one is released, and pretending to care about backward compatibility only to fake it for the first year and then walk away.

Being able to pop in your old game in your Wii or PS3(not every model....bad move IMO) is great. I like the fact that I can pack up my gamecube (or move it to another room) and still be able to play my game or the virtual memory cards on the PS3 (a great idea that needs to be copied). I just don't see MS really caring about this. Sounds like a set-up for the next console announcement (just like when they promised BC on the 360).

[MJJ58]

That's just not even clever. On no level.

As a matter of fact, everyone who has just read your post is now dumber.

I award you no points and may God have mercy on your soul.


Billy Madison .... classic movie:D

[grapeape]

Forward-compatibility is something like Sonic and Knuckles where they designed previous games to be part of a newer experience later.

This is just more strange PR spin than anything. Unfortunately MS believes in a short life cycle of a console, killing said console DEAD when the new one is released, and pretending to care about backward compatibility only to fake it for the first year and then walk away.

Being able to pop in your old game in your Wii or PS3(not every model....bad move IMO) is great. I like the fact that I can pack up my gamecube (or move it to another room) and still be able to play my game or the virtual memory cards on the PS3 (a great idea that needs to be copied). I just don't see MS really caring about this. Sounds like a set-up for the next console announcement (just like when they promised BC on the 360).

Huh? You can thank Nvidia for killing the Xbox more than anyone else...they bent MS over hard by not being flexable on chip pricing (I wouldnt be surprised if it was also be part of the reason Sony is slow to drop their prices on the PS3). The xbox was selling at a loss its entire lifetime, thats just not sustainable, it sucks but thats reality. The 360 is already making a small profit now so its a totaly differnt ballgame.

They had backwards compatabilty updates up until the spring update of this year...no word if there will be more but the only title I can think of that isnt working that was a major one is Capcom vs SNK 2. Then you praise the PS3's backwards compatability when over 2/3rds of the PS3's in peoples hands now dont have it at all? Even with a 60gig model I still find backwards compatabilty to be hit and miss, its certainly not 100%. So far the Wii is the only one that I havent found an incompatable game on.

[ma71]

so the next Xbox will feature better than it's predecessor, just like the Wii and Gamecube... LOL!!! :D

[krawhitham]

You love it? I would hate Sony if they come out or even mention a PS4 3 years after releasing the PS3.


Get your hate on

http://www.gamecyte.com/ps4-based-on-existing-cell-processor
http://kotaku.com/5033024/phil-left-sony-because-of-theps4
http://kotaku.com/5057202/japanese-site-its-time-to-talk-ps4
http://www.gamespot.com/news/6162787.html

[QrafTee]

so let me get this straight...

tthe rumour is m$'s revamped 360 will essentially be an improved 360 making current 360 games look better?

if this is the case, i can see them releasing games designed specifically for it leaving current owners forced to upgrade

could be good still however

Will they also make Xbox games look better? Or have they pretty much dropped all Xbox support now? I can see them forcing their gamers to upgrade, but I also see less and less chance of RROD. They're going to Apple route, get people to upgrade and have ALL new accessories for them that will not work with the old accessories and cha-ching.

[superaktieboy]

lol there is NO WAY IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD that such a thing could be possible, if xbox 3 (the one after 360 obv) could read play xbox 4's games, why? because:
1. hardware wise it will be most likely different, and it (xbox 4) will be most likely be more powerful than xbox 3.. if the hardware isn't different .. it defeats the whole purpose of 'a new xbox'
2. even if it was possible for some reason, why would a xbox 3 owner buy an xbox 4 if they can play the games already?


basically this article is FAIL!!!

[Blast'em08]

Sounds to me that, it's not the Xbox 720 per se that'll be forward compatible but the games themselves that will be "forward compatible". In other words, it sounds like MS are going full circle back to PC gaming where you have to upgrade your specs to get the best out of the game. Sounds like an attempt to make video game consoles more like PC's simply for the purposes of making more money by charging for something along the lines of a USB specs upgrade device that'll boost the visuals for games released later on in the consoles life without shutting out everyone who can't be arsed with graphics upgrades(as console gamers typify).

So bascially, the game will be programmed to run at some pre-specified defaults and only when a newer RAM/graphics USB card is inserted will the disk then attempt the higher settings. And as such, When Xbox 1080 is out, your Xbox 1080 will be capable of running the past Xbox 720 games at full specs. Cough cough PC anyone.

Or have I completely convoluted this whole thing?

Sounds interesting nonetheless but just sounds like MS just after some attention. Doubt it will eventuate but then again it might eg. Far Cry 2 is being dumbed down graphics wise because of the console versions so doing something like this will ensure that the PC will get the best possible graphics. PC is the winner in this deal which sounds right up MS's alley.

But again, I may just be complicating this whole thing.

EDIT: Well maybe not a USB upgrade device lol but maybe some kind of easy easy slot in card for the console noobs.

[Nemo17]

This could be good but I think the XBOX's are fine as they are now
Besides the hardware failure obviously, the gameplay that the XBOX gives is immense.

[MajorDev]

There will be no new Xbox, Microsoft will abandon the video games market due to the 360's big failure.

[Nemo17]

There will be no new Xbox, Microsoft will abandon the video games market due to the 360's big failure.

You seem to hate everything in this forum
I disagree'd with your post on FIFA and your racist comment on Bara Obama.
Bascially, you need to either post something worth reading or take a walk off a cliff.

[DEDDOA]

Sounds like a sound idea, I assume the 360 will be treated like a PC, as in the hardware may change but the OS remains, which means like a PC, older games can benefit from improve AA, AF, res etc even if the game may not have the options to support it.

The PS2 did somthing similar with the nice texture filter on PS1 games, but it seems ms will take that a step further, not sure how the games will get improved draw distance without a patch.

Nice to see how they are thinking ahead, and are taking into account that BC is a big factor for many, and to be honest if your old games look better on the next gen console, people are more likley to switch sooner.

[Salmon-Face]

You seem to hate everything in this forum
I disagree'd with your post on FIFA and your racist comment on Bara Obama.
Bascially, you need to either post something worth reading or take a walk off a cliff.

You can spot this moron easy cause every time he geta banned he makes a new account. These accounts usually end in DEV or GEEK. He ends most sentences in :(. He does not like any console or game. He is moroccan. He is a racist. We know quite a but about him, one of those things bieng that he will never take a hint and piss off.

On topic: Id love this to be true as I need a good Christmas pressie!!

[grapeape]

lol there is NO WAY IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD that such a thing could be possible, if xbox 3 (the one after 360 obv) could read play xbox 4's games, why? because:
1. hardware wise it will be most likely different, and it (xbox 4) will be most likely be more powerful than xbox 3.. if the hardware isn't different .. it defeats the whole purpose of 'a new xbox'
2. even if it was possible for some reason, why would a xbox 3 owner buy an xbox 4 if they can play the games already?


basically this article is FAIL!!!

Umm thats not what they are saying at all...its the games they are talking about, think of it in the way that PC games work. Some have directX 10 support that look and play much better on direct x hardware but can run under directx 9 just without some of the features. It doesnt mean that the next generation of Xbox games will be compatable with the 360 but does mean that the current generation of games that use their new sdk's will be able to support those improved features when played on the next generation console. Its something that hasnt really been done on consoles before but would make updating to the latest thing a bit less painful since it actually would make your old game library better.

[MinorDev]

You can spot this moron easy cause every time he geta banned he makes a new account. These accounts usually end in DEV or GEEK. He ends most sentences in :(. He does not like any console or game. He is moroccan. He is a racist. We know quite a but about him, one of those things bieng that he will never take a hint and piss off.

On topic: Id love this to be true as I need a good Christmas pressie!!

Wow, you think you became a Profiler ? :eek:

[d889]

the article says that they are trying to make the next xbox be able to play xbox 360 games and have them look better, **** is it that hard to figure out?

99% chances of not happening, it will probably play 360 games but i doubt make them look that much better.

[lostn]

The idea sounds good, but emulation is going to be glitchy if they enhance the games. They are going to run into problems, unless they handle it on a game by game basis, but that would take an incredible amount of work and they're not going to support all that many games.

I doubt this will work.

[lostn]

Will they also make Xbox games look better? Or have they pretty much dropped all Xbox support now? I can see them forcing their gamers to upgrade, but I also see less and less chance of RROD. They're going to Apple route, get people to upgrade and have ALL new accessories for them that will not work with the old accessories and cha-ching.

Wait a sec... Didn't I hear that the next Xbox wouldnt even have a disc drive, and that all the games would be distributed digitally?

[dsav]

the article says that they are trying to make the next xbox be able to play xbox 360 games and have them look better, **** is it that hard to figure out.



lmmfao, no crap, some of these people on here....lool.

anyway if they can do it good then it'll be a success, and since the 360 has been plagued with rrod and granted the next xbox doesn't have flawed hardware then everyone will love this new foward compatible xbox.

now we'll just wait and see if ms delivers the goods, i hope so.