How many people are playing Halo 2 right now? It is still the top played Xbox Live game, six months after the launch of the 360. How many of those people are playing Halo 2 on their Xbox 360? That would be an interesting stat to see. Why would people play Halo 2 on the 360 when they could be playing on the Xbox? Because it is "better."
Microsoft's commitment to backwards compatibility stretches back to even the original Halo. If a game from 2001 can make the list, there is no reason the rest can't as well. It has nothing to do with being "the best selling titles" — that is marketing speak.
Barbie Horse Adventures was a black eye for Microsoft, and something often used against them, even to take shots at Peter Moore. When Barbie worked out of the box, and Splinter Cell (the series) was broken, that was a bad day for backwards compatibility.
Microsoft has and will continue to throw as much money at the Xbox 360 as they need to. This is Microsoft, they will because they can. They will continue to support, and pour resources into backwards compatibility because it is a big part of this generation of hardware. Not only that, it is a firm platform to build on for future generations of game consoles.
To sum it up, backwards compatibility is a vehicle to drive sales, both now and in the future, and to keep product in the hands of consumers even longer than originally intended. The costs involved in backwards compatibility on the Xbox 360 are not just for short-term benefits, but also for many years down the road.
Matt Paprocki has responded with his own points regarding this issue.
Article comments
1 - RJ Elliott
I fully agree with you here, Ken.
Most casual gamers don't wanna switch from one gaming console to another in order to play their favorite "old" games. They want that ability (even if they will only rarely use it) built-in to their new, high-priced console.
Matt can sneer at gamers who lack sufficient motivation to engage in the "physical labor" it requires to manually switch the setup from one console to another, but the fact remains that most gamers are lazy...that's why they're gamers!
Convenience is a crucial factor for most "casual" gamers...and the folks at Microsoft are making a big mistake if they don't include FULL AND COMPLETE backwards-compatibility in the new XBOX 360...
2 - Armin Siljkovic
There's a fine line between offering backwards compatibility and getting people to buy new games.
Too much backwards compatibility and people won't buy enough new Xbox360 games.
Microsoft couldn't care less about the Xbox now, it's all about next gen, the 360.
3 - Ken Edwards
"Too much backwards compatibility and people won't buy enough new Xbox360 games."
I don't buy that for one minute. If the games suck at the launch of the system, it only helps! I am looking at you Sony.
But the 360 had a very good launch. People will buy the next-gen games. People also want to play their "old" games.
4 - Armin Siljkovic
It doesn't make sense business wise, Microsoft has stopped supporting the original Xbox, everything is focused on the next-gen battle.
They can't waste too much energy on Xbox games. People who buy Xbox games probably already have an Xbox. I dunno anyone who has a 360 and has bough a game released on the original.
5 - Ken Edwards
Really? Thats a shame. There have been some good Xbox games released since November that are worth picking up.
6 - Vicarious
I HATE the 360...
Compare with graphics and controlers of other consoles, thers really nothing "NEW" with it, only HD.
Its like an XBOX 1.5
7 - darkbhudda
Switch consoles?
I have to switch from my monitor to TV to play the compatible games.
The TV won't handle PAL-60, outputting it in B&W, and the original XBOX games won't work with the VGA adapter due to them being PAL-50.
8 - dhinge
I agree with Matt, but for the wrong reason. He uses Halo as an example of a an old game that is now compatible, but the main reason it is now compatible is because it was a best-selling game.
I think backwards compatibility is a good idea for new consoles, as it's a further incentive to buy them. Who wouldn't want to be able to play their old games, but have a nicer console? It's not like everybody sells all their games along with their console; they may want to play their faves without an old paperweight. Maybe Microsoft should consider making games that have no replay value?
Another argument for it is that old old games are resurfacing in new formats. Super Mario Bros 1, 2, and 3 were remade for the Super Nintendo, along with Super Metroid for the Game Boy Advance. Resident Evil 1 has been rebuilt for other consoles, like the GameCube. Why not revisit the classics?
I'm still waiting for a next-generation, bump-mapped Panzer Dragoon game. I would buy the X360 if Panzer Dragoon Orta would play on it!