Microsoft Exec: "If You're Backwards Compatible, You're Really Backwards"

[IamLEAM1983]

Oh, Microsoft. You silly goose. Throwing your customers a bone is so 2001. Throwing them an Xbone, now - THAT'S the future!

I can't wait for sales numbers to start showing up.

Do you mean you can't wait for sales numbers to start showing down?

Nah, I mean sideways. #trollface

Yeah, I don't think they'll see more than the usual shooter and sports fans, in terms of audience.

 

[-Dragmire-]

Hoo boy...

Take the Wii. Now, it was a less than brilliant console with regards to its library (I was much happier with the Xbox 360's selection) but that seems to be Nintendo's running problem. However, it did backwards compatibility properly. I can play Eternal Darkness on it. I can play Second Sight on it. I can play Star Wars: Clone Wars on it. But I can also play Super Smash Bros Brawl and Metroid Prime Trilogy on it. And I still do play all of these games. The Wii's somewhat lacklustre library was bolstered by its predecessor, and I didn't have to worry about wanting for games when I first bought it.

Of course, I've already been put off the Xbox One (What was wrong with Xbox Infinity? I know that's a minor complaint, but really?), so this hardly matters here. But Backwards Compatibility is definitely not a bad thing, and definitely not backwards.

The only good counterpoint I can come up with is that, if they included backwards compatibility, the price of the console would become impractical for most consumers to buy it. I paid $700-800 for my PS3, there weren't many others willing to pay that for the backwards compatibility. I find it understandable that they would drop it to keep the price in a range that would allow more people to buy it.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

Since the reveal I've played some Fable: Lost Chapters, Whacked (anyone remember that game?) and, Crimson Skies but I had to use my original Xbox because...well I don't think either would work on my 360. I recall some games working but there's some kind of sound distortion I remember happening last time I tried.

When it comes to old games on a new console, I do that a lot with my Wii U but that's mainly because I'm that one person who hasn't beaten Donkey Kong Country Returns or, Mario Galaxies yet. What this really says (to me) is that I should probably not expect the XBone to get compilation discs. What I mean is something like the Kirby Dream Collection: a game disc (or downloadable title) made up of previous games from a franchise.

Now it's back to my Xbox since there's seems to be a new mission based around Chickens somewhere in Albion...or maybe I'll try Otogi again.

 

[The_Darkness]

SNIP

The only good counterpoint I can come up with is that, if they included backwards compatibility, the price of the console would become impractical for most consumers to buy it. I paid $700-800 for my PS3, there weren't many others willing to pay that for the backwards compatibility. I find it understandable that they would drop it to keep the price in a range that would allow more people to buy it.

That's true - and if they'd used that as their explanation, I'd be happier. It's the sentiment behind the statement that bothers me, rather than the actual decision to not have backwards compatibility. (Let's face it - I have an Xbox 360, I don't need the Xbone to play 360 games.) Microsoft fires off a backhanded comment at people who would have appreciated backwards compatibility, which is what they'll be remembered for, rather than any sensible reasons for not offering it. It's as if they are actively training their PR officers the wrong way...

 

[taciturnCandid]

Hoo boy...

Take the Wii. Now, it was a less than brilliant console with regards to its library (I was much happier with the Xbox 360's selection) but that seems to be Nintendo's running problem. However, it did backwards compatibility properly. I can play Eternal Darkness on it. I can play Second Sight on it. I can play Star Wars: Clone Wars on it. But I can also play Super Smash Bros Brawl and Metroid Prime Trilogy on it. And I still do play all of these games. The Wii's somewhat lacklustre library was bolstered by its predecessor, and I didn't have to worry about wanting for games when I first bought it.

Of course, I've already been put off the Xbox One (What was wrong with Xbox Infinity? I know that's a minor complaint, but really?), so this hardly matters here. But Backwards Compatibility is definitely not a bad thing, and definitely not backwards.

Later Wii versions dropped gamecube support. But at that point it didn't matter.

At least the WiiU can play the few Wii games I liked

 

[GAunderrated]

Hoo boy...

Take the Wii. Now, it was a less than brilliant console with regards to its library (I was much happier with the Xbox 360's selection) but that seems to be Nintendo's running problem. However, it did backwards compatibility properly. I can play Eternal Darkness on it. I can play Second Sight on it. I can play Star Wars: Clone Wars on it. But I can also play Super Smash Bros Brawl and Metroid Prime Trilogy on it. And I still do play all of these games. The Wii's somewhat lacklustre library was bolstered by its predecessor, and I didn't have to worry about wanting for games when I first bought it.

Of course, I've already been put off the Xbox One (What was wrong with Xbox Infinity? I know that's a minor complaint, but really?), so this hardly matters here. But Backwards Compatibility is definitely not a bad thing, and definitely not backwards.

The only good counterpoint I can come up with is that, if they included backwards compatibility, the price of the console would become impractical for most consumers to buy it. I paid $700-800 for my PS3, there weren't many others willing to pay that for the backwards compatibility. I find it understandable that they would drop it to keep the price in a range that would allow more people to buy it.

Really?? I got the MGS4 80GB Ps3 bundle (full backwards compatibility for Ps2/Ps1) for 499 + tax. That isn't too unreasonable

 

[-Dragmire-]

SNIP

The only good counterpoint I can come up with is that, if they included backwards compatibility, the price of the console would become impractical for most consumers to buy it. I paid $700-800 for my PS3, there weren't many others willing to pay that for the backwards compatibility. I find it understandable that they would drop it to keep the price in a range that would allow more people to buy it.

That's true - and if they'd used that as their explanation, I'd be happier. It's the sentiment behind the statement that bothers me, rather than the actual decision to not have backwards compatibility. (Let's face it - I have an Xbox 360, I don't need the Xbone to play 360 games.) Microsoft fires off a backhanded comment at people who would have appreciated backwards compatibility, which is what they'll be remembered for, rather than any sensible reasons for not offering it. It's as if they are actively training their PR officers the wrong way...

I completely agree, this has not been the greatest year for PR statements all around so I'm looking at it as par for the course.

EDIT:

Hoo boy...

Spoiler: snip

Take the Wii. Now, it was a less than brilliant console with regards to its library (I was much happier with the Xbox 360's selection) but that seems to be Nintendo's running problem. However, it did backwards compatibility properly. I can play Eternal Darkness on it. I can play Second Sight on it. I can play Star Wars: Clone Wars on it. But I can also play Super Smash Bros Brawl and Metroid Prime Trilogy on it. And I still do play all of these games. The Wii's somewhat lacklustre library was bolstered by its predecessor, and I didn't have to worry about wanting for games when I first bought it.

Of course, I've already been put off the Xbox One (What was wrong with Xbox Infinity? I know that's a minor complaint, but really?), so this hardly matters here. But Backwards Compatibility is definitely not a bad thing, and definitely not backwards.

The only good counterpoint I can come up with is that, if they included backwards compatibility, the price of the console would become impractical for most consumers to buy it. I paid $700-800 for my PS3, there weren't many others willing to pay that for the backwards compatibility. I find it understandable that they would drop it to keep the price in a range that would allow more people to buy it.

Really?? I got the MGS4 80GB Ps3 bundle (full backwards compatibility for Ps2/Ps1) for 499 + tax. That isn't too unreasonable

The Canadian dollar was not on par at the time so we had to deal with inflated prices.

 

[Combustion Kevin]

THIS is what you have PR departments for.

seriously, though, I wonder what the percentage would be on, say, the Wii, where you can play GameCube titles without any trouble at all.
now THAT, I really appreciated.

 

[dagens24]

I won't play a game that is part of a series unless I've played the previous entries in that series. Backwards comparability makes that much easier, and therefore helps drive sales of current gen games.

 

[timboo_drow]

So let's say I've been an avid Sony fan from day one, never once played an XBOX game. Now imagine I've become dis-enfranchised with Sony and am looking for a good reason to upgrade to the new xboxone. If I could suddenly have access to all of those 360 games I had missed over the years I would see that as a huge selling point. Having access to next gen content, and having access to a huge library of excellent 360 titles apparently is not considered a selling point. But let's not forget, the xbox one design is not aimed at delivering great content for consumers but rather on allowing MS to control the used game market. Won't buy it.

 

[emeraldrafael]

I guess im one o fthose five percent since I made a point to get a PSN account and 20 dollars just so I could get P3Fes on PSN, and cause the only reason I even use a wii on my own is to play my GC games.

you know what though, go ahead and dont release any old games remade/mastered for the XBox1 and see how many supporters you lose. Tell me if its only 5%

EDIT: though after how "bad" the reveal went if i was in the company the last thing I would be doing is insulting my audience.

 

[timboo_drow]

I guess im one o fthose five percent since I made a point to get a PSN account and 20 dollars just so I could get P3Fes on PSN, and cause the only reason I even use a wii on my own is to play my GC games.

you know what though, go ahead and dont release any old games remade/mastered for the XBox1 and see how many supporters you lose. Tell me if its only 5%

EDIT: though after how "bad" the reveal went if i was in the company the last thing I would be doing is insulting my audience.

Exactly, imagine if other industries were run this way.

Hotel guest: Excuse me sir, could I please have a wake up call for 7am

Hotel employee: What don't you know how to work an alarm clock? There is one in your room. Don't you have a smartphone? Just ask Siri to wake you up. You are such an old-fashioned douche bag, why would you want me to call you on the TELAFONE to wake you up when you have the future of wake-up calls in the palm of your hand?

Hotel Manager: YOU'RE FIRED!!! Please pardon the rudeness of my former employee, can I offer you a free dinner in our restaurant for the anti-customer conduct of my FORMER employee. Did I mention that people deserve to be FIRED for treating customers with disdain. Please don't tell others that you hate my hotel, this is, afterall, a competitive industry and my business can be made or broken on word-of-mouth, grassroots commentary by dis-enfranchised customers such as yourself.

Just sayin'

 

[Eve Charm]

*sighs* At least PS4 had a kinda reason to not do BC with the CELL architect.

Ya late in the console life no one is really playing the older games, but when you come out with that new console and only a handful of games, Your just telling your customers to go elsewhere when they finish the few games that come out for the system in the launch timeframe.

 

[Deathfish15]

This comment will probably fall on deaf ears, but...


PC IS THE WAY TO BE!


I can still play PC games from the 1990's on my "current gen" PC that runs things like GW2, BF3, and so on.


Oh, and why backwards compatibility is important? Look at something like TF2, a game well over 5 years old still being played (and updated) today. If not compatible with the new game systems, the game dies...same for Minecraft. They kill 3rd party games by these restrictions.

 

[timboo_drow]

However, in an attempt to be fair, I'm pretty sure the statement is meant to read more like this...

"If my company were to offer a product that is backwards compatible than, by definition, my COMPANY would be truly backwards in our thinking instead of thinking forward into the shiny future."

Now it is perfectly acceptable to feel an attitude of disdain from MS over even the charitable interpretation of the statement due to the fact that you can still infer the logical next step "if companies that offer BC are truly backwards, then the consumers who want their products must also be backwards". Although to be fair he didn't really implicitly call anyone backwards.

 

[timboo_drow]

This comment will probably fall on deaf ears, but...


PC IS THE WAY TO BE!


I can still play PC games from the 1990's on my "current gen" PC that runs things like GW2, BF3, and so on.


Oh, and why backwards compatibility is important? Look at something like TF2, a game well over 5 years old still being played (and updated) today. If not compatible with the new game systems, the game dies...same for Minecraft. They kill 3rd party games by these restrictions.

I was exclusively a PC gamer back in the late 90s. I fell away from it during the PS2 era because I felt that console games were finally starting to catch up with PCs in offering games that were more epic and complex. Plus I liked the simplicity of simply opening a box, inserting a disc, and playing immediately.

Consoles are becoming overly-complex, bloated with erroneous features, and full of restrictions and bullshit hassles for the consumers. Add to that the fact that every single major console release right now is either a FPS or a sequel / remake, the games on console are becoming samey and boring.

Hell ya I was looking into the price of a decent gaming PC today, I'm ready to switch back.

 

[kaizen2468]

be nice if they'd add a backwards compatible version of the console for a higher price. i'd pay it, no question about it

 

[Imat]

Well of course it doesn't have backwards compatibility, nobody is playing original XBox games anymore. Now I assume the XBox 1 is the spiritual predecessor of the 360, correct? Otherwise why would the 360 be XBox 2pi, while this is XBox 1pi. It just wouldn't make any sense. I'm just waiting for the 360 to get backwards compatibility support for XBox 180 games.

 

[Mikeyfell]

Please. For the love of god. No one buy an Xbox 1 on day 1.

Microsoft needs to learn a lesson, and the only way they'll ever figure it out is if they make big fat zero dollars on launch day.

 

[jabronipieeatin]

this guy obviously hasnt seen the success of psone n ps2 classics on the playstation store....even if the backwards compatible games were downloadable lots of people would still love to play current generation classics on their xbox one