Here's an interesting Xbox 720 (you know, the next Xbox console) rumor. According to Xbox Evolved and their "sources", Microsoft is planning on implementing "forward compatibility" into their next console creation. Saying that the next Xbox will improve upon current 360 titles, increasing frame rate, draw distance, graphics, textures, etc. Interesting rumor, but we can't help point out that Xbox Evolved's use of the term "forward compatibility" doesn't really make sense.
If the Xbox 720 were to play Xbox 360 games and improve the the overall experience, that's simply called backwards compatibility. Just like the Xbox 360 plays (some) original Xbox games. So, we're not entirely sure what Xbox Evolved's rumor news is really about, because we sort of expected the Xbox 720 to play and improve the overall experience of 360 games. That is unless they're talking about future Xbox 360 games adding code to make them forward compatible with the 720. Actual code on the disc that the 720 will use to improve the features, look and experience. That's what we'd call a forward compatible Xbox 360 game.
[Via Game Stooge]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
10-15-2008 @ 2:35PM
andyg8180 said...
Well, considering the product isnt out yet, the games will be "forward compatible" If the 720 was out, then it'd be backwards compatible...
me so smaaarrttt :-)
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10-15-2008 @ 2:37PM
Dustin Burg said...
No matter if the 720 is out or not, 360 games would be forward compatible to work with it (the console's the next in the tech lineup, hence it's forward). BUT never would the 720 be forward compatible, unless it plays games that come out on the 1080?
10-15-2008 @ 3:08PM
andyg8180 said...
Pretty sure i said it right, buddy... My xbox 360 games are forward compatible... How are they backwards compatible... Its the system thats backwards compatible, not the game...
If i owned a 720 at this moment, my 720 is backwards compatible with my 360 games.... not the other way around...
10-15-2008 @ 3:16PM
Grant said...
If the 720 was forwards compatible, it would negate a future console from being necessary. current 360 games can be forward compatible if they were written to have specials features that only the 720 could utilize.
10-15-2008 @ 4:00PM
TORO said...
You guys got me all cross-eyed with this backward/forward compatible talk.
10-15-2008 @ 2:42PM
Ryan Hartman said...
Maybe it's the other way around? Maybe the the 360 will be "forward compatilbe" in that it will be able to run 720 games (at least the first wave of them) at a reduced rate or something? They could do it, launch games never look that great to begin with.
That would be crazy, and it would really put the whole console lifespan in question when the next gen first cycle is still able to be played on the previous gen.
An analogy would be like the original xbox being able to run Perfect Dark and all those other garbage looking launch titles that the 360 had (Kameo? More like Blam-eo ... because it made me want to shoot myself in the head) You can't tell me they were leaps and bounds above what we had seen on the first box at the time.
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10-15-2008 @ 3:33PM
PeterF said...
They were HD though, the Xbox 1 can do that!
10-16-2008 @ 8:32AM
EdgeOne said...
What would be the motivation to buy the next gen console if you could play its launch titles on last gen?? "Gee, I wish this crappy game looked better?"
10-15-2008 @ 2:43PM
joeybeast said...
"forward compatibility" will mean 360 can play 720's games.
It is, of course, not possible, or financially viable.
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10-15-2008 @ 2:43PM
DBoyFlex said...
I don't like thinking about a new system yet being that I have put so much cash into my current 360. I sure hope it gives me at least 3 more years. I also hope that the next-box (get it?) is less prone to problems, as that has caused some big headaches this genframe. Oh well, hopefully they learned. Also, please make at least the controllers forward compatible, maybe the HDD some how also, even just as a backup. Or make all of my content easily transferable, like what they did with the 120 gigs. Thanks MS for listening (yeah right).
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10-15-2008 @ 2:47PM
SuburbGuerrilla said...
Lets focus less on future compatibility and more on producing bug-free glitch-free games, eh?
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10-15-2008 @ 2:50PM
Michael Paul said...
I'd guess that "forward compatibility" means they are planning ahead now to completely emulate a 360 inside a 720, so each game doesn't need the hand-crafting we saw for original Xbox games.
I'd hope the 720 will be 10 or 20 times the machine a 360 is, so it'd take a game so complex that it couldn't actually fit in the machine to make it bog down. That platform, running a 360 emulator, would be supreme.
Until, of course, somebody builds a better machine...
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10-15-2008 @ 3:03PM
ryan said...
forwards compatibility?!?!?
*brain implosion*
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10-15-2008 @ 3:04PM
Arnie said...
See the way I think about forward compatibility would be if they used a modified version of Dx10(I presume that's what they are shooting for) just like the 360 uses a modified version of Dx9. This way the underlying code could render additional effects or better effects like AA for instance @ full 1080p(& not upscaled shit like today) and be forward compatible. Regardless of the coinage, I hope Microsoft realizes that a lot of people have invested in this generation and native backwards compatible will be important to gamers unlike the previous xbox.
Also, given their usage of the Direct X layer, compatibility can be maintained(of course I am just making a good guess here)
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10-15-2008 @ 3:18PM
Gaymer said...
forward compatibility!
Those this mean I can finally play;
Deus Ex: Invisible War???
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10-15-2008 @ 3:48PM
{@} said...
Have you played the original "Deus Ex"? It's my favorite game of all time.
10-15-2008 @ 3:22PM
Yamagushi said...
Its BS. This is an attempt for this small unheard of site to get publicity. And it worked.
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10-15-2008 @ 3:25PM
shane86 said...
That second paragraph melted my brain.
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10-15-2008 @ 3:25PM
spin said...
i can't believe this is gaining so much ground. some 13 year old kid is laughing his ass off because the whole internet is believing some bs he made up after he huffed some air freshner.
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10-15-2008 @ 3:31PM
{@} said...
Seems to go along with the thread.... I have a question, does MS plan on updating it's list of BC games for the CURRENT platform? I know they've clearly moved on, but I'd like to get the chance to play "Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath." The 360's BC is all sorts of pathetic, and it'd be nice is all.
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