Microsoft Clarifies Backward Compatibility Stance

kukyfrope writes "Peter Moore, Head of Interactive Entertainment at Microsoft, has clarified previous comments about gamers not being concerned with backward compatibility on the Xbox 360, claiming his words were 'misconstrued' and reiterating Microsoft's goal to make every Xbox game backward compatible. 'It's quite simply not that we don't care about backward compat[ibility]. Boy, do we care about backward compat[ibility]... We're going to get darn close to that stated goal of every title done,' Moore promised."

Re:at this rate

[geders]

Meantime, tons of popular XBox games (Platinum Hits) aren't supported on the 360. As far as native games go, if I don't want to have a chick fight, drive, or play a sport, I don't have much reason to turn on my 360 at all.

Why did you buy a Xbox 360 then?

Re:at this rate

[Babbster]

As far as native games go, if I don't want to have a chick fight, drive, or play a sport, I don't have much reason to turn on my 360 at all.

I hear that. If only they'd release games like Oblivion, Condemned: Criminal Origins, Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter or Hitman: Blood Money. Maybe they just need to come out with something like Kameo, Gun, Final Fanasy XI or a Tomb Raider game.

For anyone without a nice PC gaming rig, the Xbox 360 probably has something to make a gamer turn it on. For the people WITH a nice PC gaming rig, there will probably be many more good reasons to do so coming during the remainder of the year.

Compared to the PS2 at the same point in its life, the 360's game lineup is kick-ass...

Re:Emulation?

[the_B0fh]

wtf? mame developers and such are not pirates. Gotta love those tar brushes. You stocked up on feathers?

Re:Emulation?

[Anonymous Coward]

The fine software folks who write emulation software should NOT be called "pirates". Pirates are those who user their program and download roms and sell the bundle for $$$.

Does backwards compatability = Recompile?

[LiquidCoooled]

The mere fact that games are being handled on a case by case basis implies that it is a re-engineering of the original code to produce a new port of the game.
Similar to the Linux ports of Doom and stuff (port the engine, use the graphics from the original disc)

Re:Does backwards compatability = Recompile?

[LiquidCoooled]

The doom3 "patch" required to run on linux is about 16MB [idsoftware.com] (450MB for the demo which includes maps and textures)
Older versions of the port stand at about 8MB.

Many games actually need very little in the way of code, the greatest majority of the game comes from the textures and meshes which populate the worlds.

Remember, most modern games are based upon still valid functioning code from easily 20 years ago, the algorythms haven't changed much at all, the rules are still in place.

Re:at this rate

[Kell_pt]

> Reasons to turn on your 360?

- You're under 18, and have plenty of spare time
- Your friends come over and play with you
- Your girlfriend also plays
OR
- You're still learning to handle girls, but can take the distraction

So, put that in perspective. I was a Spectrum addict when I was 12-16 (and friends came over), I was a 386 addict up to 18, and I'm 28 now, with my 3rd long term relationship (and hopefully the last one) and an healthy dose of attempts in between.

Playing games is good for you. :)