Xbox One Backwards Compatibility Question.

Why exactly can't the Xbox One not play '360 games? I know they have different architecture, but wasn't it the same case with the Xbox and '360? I remember reading that the '360 used an Emulator to play original Xbox titles. Why can't the Xbox One do the same?

"If you're backwards compatible, you're really backwards"Don Mattrick

So it seems it's a matter of won't rather than can't. Makes sence. 

So it seems it's a matter of won't rather than can't. Makes sence. 

insinuendo

Simple.

PPC core CPU in 360.

x86 CPU in the X1

Xbox 1 can't emulate it. Microsoft didn't add the chip. And....they want you to buy new games and games on XBLA.

So.....do you just sell off all your old systems once a new one comes out? Why buy a new system to play old games on? It doesn't make any sense whatsoever to not get a system based on it not being backwards compatible. Most Xbox games didn't play on the 360. NES games didn't play on SNES, and many other systems didn't have backwards compatability. Only Sony had the fully backwards compatible systems, Microsoft never did. Would you skip on buying a new car if your old car keys didn't work on it?

So.....do you just sell off all your old systems once a new one comes out? Why buy a new system to play old games on?

driftingsilvia

Eh, it just makes things more convenient. Lately I've really appreciated the PS2's BC because I've been going back through old PS1 RPGs and it's nice to not have to dig out my PS1 to play them. (I'm not even sure I know where my PS1 is)

People who act like lack of BC is a dealbreaker are overreacting, though.

[QUOTE="driftingsilvia"]

So.....do you just sell off all your old systems once a new one comes out? Why buy a new system to play old games on?

JML897

Eh, it just makes things more convenient. Lately I've really appreciated the PS2's BC because I've been going back through old PS1 RPGs and it's nice to not have to dig out my PS1 to play them. (I'm not even sure I know where my PS1 is)

People who act like lack of BC is a dealbreaker are overreacting, though.

The jump from Power PC to x86 makes hardware emulation impossible, without actually putting a 360 into the One (which is what Sony initially did with the PS3).  Software emulation is often tricky.  The 360 could emulate certain Xbox games, but as I recall, it was a slow process building emulators and ultimately, it wasn't worth the time or money they were dedicating to getting Xbox games running on the 360. 

Well, let me borrow Don Mattrick's exact words: [quote="Don Mattrick"]"If you're backwards compatible, you're really backwards"funsohng

Don's a toad, but this is an area I happen to agree with him on. They have way bigger fish to fry than worrying about backwards compatibility. 

LOVE YOUR SIG BTW -- best new show on television.

The Xbox One doesn't carry the 360's architecture, which would be necessary for backward compatibility. Software emulation might be an option still, if we're lucky (like, really, really lucky), but I wouldn't count on it.

Also: please use one of the many existing Xbone threads for now. Trying to keep the board from being overtaken by these kinds of threads.