Xbox One Backward Compatibility Adds Gears of War 1, Shadow Complex

Microsoft has added two new titles to the Xbox One backwards compatibility program.

Starting from today, August 3, people in the Xbox One Preview Program can play the 2006 original Gears of War and 2009's Shadow Complex on the new console by way of backwards compatibility.

Both games have ties to Epic Games, as Gears of War was developed by the studio itself, while subsidiary Chair Entertainment created the 2.5D, side-scrolling Shadow Complex.

The original Gears of War won't be the only game in the series made available on Xbox One through backwards compatibility. Microsoft also announced today that Gears of War 2, Gears of War 3, and Gears of War Judgment are coming to Xbox One via backwards compatibility. Everyone who plays Gears of War Ultimate Edition by New Years will get these games for free.

Backwards compatibility on Xbox One is currently available only to Preview Program members. The feature, which Microsoft expects will help sell consoles, will roll out to all users this fall. At that time, there will be "hundreds" of supported games, though Microsoft has not announced a full list just yet.