No backwards compatability for Xenon

[gekko]

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?section_name=dev&aid=3645

No backward compatibility in Xbox 2

Rob Fahey 16:15 21/06/2004

Because two boxes under the TV are as good as one, apparently

Sources close to Microsoft's senior Xbox executives have confirmed that the company does not intend to make its next-generation console, which is set to be launched by late 2005, backwards compatible with existing Xbox software.

Speculation about the backwards compatibility functionality has been rife since it emerged that Xbox 2 - codenamed Xenon - will have radically different hardware to the original system, with a non-x86 processor, no hard drive and an ATI, rather than NVIDIA, graphics chipset, all of which would make running Xbox titles on the platform very difficult.

It was widely believed, however, that Microsoft had retained a team of hardware emulation experts to work on the problem - although concerns over the viability of such an endeavour were voiced by some experts, especially regarding the company's ability to emulate the functions of the graphics unit in the Xbox without violating NVIDIA's intellectual property rights.

GamesIndustry.biz has now learned that Microsoft does not plan to provide any backwards compatibility in the next-generation Xenon platform - and indeed, that senior executives at the company don't believe backwards compatibility to be an important feature for consoles.

According to a source close to the project, internal Microsoft figures suggest that only 10 per cent of PlayStation 2 purchasers were interested in the console's ability to play titles developed for the original PlayStation.


Although this still represents some seven million consumers on a global basis - which is around half of Microsoft's entire installed base for Xbox - the company apparently believes that allowing consumers to play existing Xbox titles on the next-generation hardware would not be a significant deciding factor for Xenon purchasers.

However, a report into the videogames industry published today by Wedbrush Morgan Securities senior vice president Michael Pachter disagrees with this conclusion - arguing that failing to provide backward compatibility could have the effect of alienating Microsoft's existing Xbox installed base.

"In the event that Xbox Next is not backward compatible, we think that the device will be very slow to grow its footprint," the report warns, while elsewhere it suggests that such a move could damage the company's long-term prospects for the console.

"We do expect Microsoft to launch its console first, perhaps as early as 2005," says Pachter. "Should it choose to do so without backward compatibility or significant third-party software support, we expect to see its first-mover advantage evaporate."

Thank God!

Now, let me do a quick recap here...

- No backwards compatibility
- Multiprocessor IBM PowerPC setup
- PowerMac G5 dev kits
- No more off-the-shelf components
- No stupid-ass starter kit necessary to play online

Hot damn Microsoft! You're off to a good start! Now, if we can only work on that HD issue...

[Jonbo298]

I like consoles being backwards compatible because then you can continue playing any new games for the last console while starting to play new games on the new console. For this reason why MS isn't doing it I guess would be valid enough because they are deciding to do a 180 on almost everything the current xbox has.

[gekko]

You already own the last console, keep playing it.

PS2 might have used memory sticks, but it was backwards compatible, so they had to use the same style of memory card. I'd rather have memory sticks.

Xenon might use flash cards to save games, or hell, SD cards. You could build microphone controls straight into the controller, and have a small SD card slot, and you could get rid of those stupid slots. But then again, if it were backwards compatible, you would need those slots.

Maybe Microsoft wants to move the 2 B&W buttons to become 2 additional shoulder buttons (for the love of god, don't), that would completely **** up your old Xbox games.

[Classic Rocker]

Damn. Backwards compatabilty is big for me because I don't like having a lot of consoles near my TV. It takes up to much space. I would've loved Xbox 2 to be backwards compatable. Ah well..can't win them all

[Null]

You already own the last console, keep playing it.

PS2 might have used memory sticks, but it was backwards compatible, so they had to use the same style of memory card. I'd rather have memory sticks.

Xenon might use flash cards to save games, or hell, SD cards. You could build microphone controls straight into the controller, and have a small SD card slot, and you could get rid of those stupid slots. But then again, if it were backwards compatible, you would need those slots.

Maybe Microsoft wants to move the 2 B&W buttons to become 2 additional shoulder buttons (for the love of god, don't), that would completely **** up your old Xbox games.

its differnt for different companies, sony can do it because sony has no desire to change the PS controller. and not many would want them to. The Mem cards were different slightly (as they couldnt be used ps2 mem for ps1 games and the other way) but i would also prefer mem sticks, and if they do use the mem sticks they could still use backwards compatability. for i dont care about the old saves.

Backwards combatability is nice as long as it does not limit future development. in sonys case if it doesnt prevent them from doing anything new then i'm all for it. because i can sell off the old console and still play it.

but if it comes down to that or new features then i'd gladly take the new features over it.

[tarakan69]

No backward compatiability really gets to me...

1. More money to spend on X-Box 1 (What if it dies)
2. No feeling of legacy.
3. Less value
4. Less motivation to get a console's successor early in it's life span, and buy games today.
5. More organized entertainment center
6. Revisting classics... Chrono Cross, Final Fantasy 7, Metal Gear Solid, Jet Sert Radio Future, Panzer Dragoon: Orta etc...
7. Games like Prince Of Persia 2 I will buy for GCN/PS2 because X-Box version (Even if it will slightly better)will not be not be usable on next-gen consoles.

[TheGame]

Backward compatibility is not a feature I use very much with my Ps2... The feature itself being on the Ps2 hasn't affected my opinion on Ps2 at all, in a positive or negitive manner.

[GameMaster]

What a lousy rip-off! So, what I am supposed to do with my Xbox when it's sequel comes out? Play it? Nope, can't do that, you have to store it away and make room for the new console. Thanks for making me throw my own money away Microsoft.

[Null]

Backward compatibility is not a feature I use very much with my Ps2... The feature itself being on the Ps2 hasn't affected my opinion on Ps2 at all, in a positive or negitive manner.

affected me. basically like getting $50 back on my PS2 without actually giving up anything. :)

thats the main reason why i like backwards compatability, i wont ever sell a console because the money i'd get isnt worth what i put in. However when i get a system thats backwards compatable, example, PS2, its like getting another PS1 free, then i have 2 ps1's which means i sell one of them and i still have one.

[Typhoid]

Yes, i agree, backwards compatibility is awesome.

When my brother bought a PS2, it was about the time i wanted a PS1, just to play old games, but hey, i didnt have to.

I think its a major major major selling point to have backwards compatibilty.

[Vampyr]

I agree with Null and Typhoid. I never owned a PS1, but when I bought my PS2, it opened up TWO huge libraries of games that I hadnt gotten to play yet.

[TheGame]

Good point on being able to sell your PSones... I guess that was a nice little plus it had when I first purchased it too. I don't think if it would have changed my purchase or not however.

But then again, there is another pretty big difference between Ps1 Backward compatability, and Xbox backward compatability... the Hard drive. Of course, like every problem, there is a solution, but is it a path any company would realy want to take? It's about the same as Ps2's backward compatibility not allowing the same memory cards.

[tarakan69]

But then again, there is another pretty big difference between Ps1 Backward compatability, and Xbox backward compatability... the Hard drive. Of course, like every problem, there is a solution, but is it a path any company would realy want to take? It's about the same as Ps2's backward compatibility not allowing the same memory cards.

Well that raises the question. Is MS even SERIOUS about online gaming?

Sure FPS, Racing, and sports are nice.

But what gives online it's real meat are MMORPGs... Taking out the HD kills that possibility.

Sure you can argue about alternative storage methods... but it's highly unlikely we will see the amount of storage space necessary for a MMORPG.

1. No HD
2. No Backward compatiabilty (VERY dissapointing)

X-Box 2 is a step backwards, no matter which way you look at it.

[Bond]

Xbox!!!! Xbox!!!!! THE NAME OF THE CONSOLE IS Xbox!!!!!

[Null]

bond, i've been fighting that battle since it came out....... some people just like giving it its own name

oddly tho you never see em calling it Play-Station 2 or Game-Cube

what possesses them to put that - in there for xbox is behond me.



BTW, tarak, what gives online gaming its real meat is downloads, updates, mods, extra cars characters and maps and stuff.

that is what no hard drive is killing.

[Acebot44]

I believe I read that in the future, xbox live will be used for much more than just playing games, and we've seen a little bit of that so far. MS is messing around with the idea of storing game files, music, movies and everything else which would be on the hardrive on an online xbox live account. Don't know how that would work for those without broadband but that's something anyway.

[Null]

I believe I read that in the future, xbox live will be used for much more than just playing games, and we've seen a little bit of that so far. MS is messing around with the idea of storing game files, music, movies and everything else which would be on the hardrive on an online xbox live account. Don't know how that would work for those without broadband but that's something anyway.

not gunna happen. at least not in the near future.


internet speeds will have to get much much faster and it would need bigger faster storage ways.

[Hero2]

I dont think the backwards compatability will be a big issue for xbox-2. Most of xboxes games are geared toward first person shooters and sports games. After a year sports games are old and usally there will be a better first person shooter game out. For xbox the games change quicker, They dont have many classic games unlike Nintendo and PS2.

[Typhoid]

Backwards compatability isnt to big for the Xbox, like Hero said, most are FPS or sports, and they get leveled out by the next one that comes along.

I dont know what the big fuss is all about. No system up until the PS2 had backwards compataility, and yet now its such a big deal to have it. If you own an Xbox, and plan on buying the latter, you shouldnt care.

[gekko]

Actually Atari had it.

[Professor S]

“Recent stories in the press about future Xbox products are nothing more than pulp fiction. Microsoft hasn’t made any announcements regarding the next generation, so it’s far too early to speculate about specifics, including backward compatibility. In fact, this media conjecture is irresponsible. The credibility of any publication willing to compromise fact in favor of a catchy headline must be questioned. Xbox fans are smart enough to distinguish truth from sensational reporting.”

This was released by Microsoft in responseto the evident rumor that the Xbox 2 would not have backwards compatability. Now while this doesn't say that the Xbox 2 WILL have compatability, it's also pretty defensive about the whole thing and gives the impression that the Xbox 2 will have it. After all, why would Microsoft get so riled up if it was true? It would just make a bad situation worse.

[Null]

[/b]

This was released by Microsoft in responseto the evident rumor that the Xbox 2 would not have backwards compatability. Now while this doesn't say that the Xbox 2 WILL have compatability, it's also pretty defensive about the whole thing and gives the impression that the Xbox 2 will have it. After all, why would Microsoft get so riled up if it was true? It would just make a bad situation worse.


because if they wernt planning to include it, that statment really makes it sound like they got a lot of negitive feed back on the rumor.

if they wernt thinking of it. it sounds like they sure are 'thinking' about it now.

[Professor S]

I hope so. It really is a pretty stupid decision to not include it.

[Jonbo298]

Xbox fans are smart enough to distinguish truth from sensational reporting.”

Sorry but I can't help but have this urge to laugh:lol: (No offense)

But I thought at last check MS doesn't comment on rumors.:hmm:

[Professor S]

Wow Jonbo, you really proved how unbiased you are towards the Xbox with that last post... :retard:

[Jonbo298]

Wow Jonbo, you really proved how unbiased you are towards the Xbox with that last post... :retard:

A harmless joke 'tis all

[Seth]

Well, I didn't want to make a new thread for this...so yes, Halo 2 revolving screenshot.

http://download.microsoft.com/download/b/8/2/b82f915a-c405-4b93-93c1-99a50c756303/ArmyOfOne-final-high.mov


Sorry for the intrudence.

[Ace195]

A harmless joke 'tis all
whatever ninty fanboy... :offtopic: oh and by the way damn you jon unblock me from aim you never even told me what I did aside from call you a fanboy...

[Typhoid]

You blocked him for calling you a fanboy?





Weak...

[Canyarion]

Just don't have eachother in your list if you can only fight about this stuff.

[Jonbo298]

You blocked him for calling you a fanboy?





Weak...

no. and lets just stop it at that. I'm not gonna throw this thread out of control.

[ominub]

whatever ninty fanboy... :offtopic: oh and by the way damn you jon unblock me from aim you never even told me what I did aside from call you a fanboy...
Oh Seth, Job blocked you for being an ass in general, not for calling him a fanboy.

Just had to clear that up with you.

[Ace195]

Hrm, I'll talk to you two tonight, I wonder are they going to make Halo2 for xbox and xenon ? I mean if they don't I'm gonna be really pissed.. PIssed I TELL YOU PISSED..

[Professor S]

Halo 2 is being released this Fall, so its definitely coming out for the Xbox

[Canyarion]

Why not wait and release Fable on Xenon?? :rolleyes:

Seriously, releasing this thing so soon might be a problem...

[Professor S]

Why not wait and release Fable on Xenon?? :rolleyes:


Because its been developed for the past five years on an Xbox dev kit. They'd have to rework the whole damn thing for the Xenon. Here's a bit of advice for everyone...

CALM DOWN.

[Jonbo298]

Because its been developed for the past five years on an Xbox dev kit. They'd have to rework the whole damn thing for the Xenon. Here's a bit of advice for everyone...

CALM DOWN.

WHAT?! We demand Fable on the X-enon!

[Ace195]

I agree calm down I bet there is going to be some sort of backwards compatability for xenon or else they are just making me angry because you can't give me halo2 and not let it work on the new system with the better processor and graphics you can't just develop it for 5 years and then not let it surpass eveything I know as halo

[Typhoid]

WHAT?! We demand Fable on the X-enon!


:rofl:

[GiMpY-wAnNaBe]

:rofl: