Xbox's Backwards Compatibility Feature Isn't Ignored, Says Xboss
With over 400 titles in the Xbox One backwards compatibility program, and original Xbox titles on [...]
With over 400 titles in the Xbox One backwards compatibility program, and original Xbox titles on the way, to say that this feature is a positive check mark for the Microsoft platform is a massive understatement. Despite earlier rumors stating that players are largely ignoring this feature, Xboss Phil Spencer says otherwise - and he has proof.
In a recent statement to GameSpot, the Xbox exec had this to say:
"It's not true that people don't play it. I've seen those online arguments about nobody uses it or everybody uses it. It's not true that everybody plays backwards compatibility games, it's not true that no one does," he said. "A lot of the data is third party data so I can't really tell you how many people are playing a certain game; it's not my game. I think the best signal we had so far is when Black Ops II landed and that month it hit NPD's Top 10 that month for game sales. An Xbox 360 game that's years old, that shows that people care."
Given that PlayStation's similar feature still requires players to re-pay for the title even if they already own it, the backwards compatibility program - especially with the list growing monthly - is a valuable asset for those that no longer have last generation's system. Spencer says because of this leg up, they are dedicated to "invest in back-compat because it matters."
Between their commitment to the program already in place, and the OG Xbox titles becoming available "soon", it shouldn't be that surprising that more players utilise this feature than some have previously speculated.
He also spoke about why exactly this program is so important as a gamer, not as an executive:
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"I want to give gamers a choice. It's about growing gaming not being divisive and artificially trying to move you ahead. That's why Xbox One X plays the same games Xbox One S does. PC has done this for years. It's not rocket science in how you figure this out."
With the Xbox One X on the way with their own list of compatible games growing, it's shaping up to be a big year for Team Microsoft. That begs the question: Do you think the Xbox backwards compatibility program is worth it?
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