The Xbox Going Backwards and Forwards

Eurogamer has a good deal of news from Microsoft talking about this generation's interactions with the 360 and vice verse. Firstly, Robbie Bach wanted to be sure to get across that the first-gen Xbox is still a viable platform, and they hope to continue to develop games for it through next year. Secondly, 360 backwards compatibility is finally getting nailed down, with a list of backwards compatible games likely available in two weeks or so. Peter Moore wanted to make clear that the list is just the beginning; more would be added after the console's launch. Finally, J. Allard released details about the optional HD's contents, which is set to include some media and games. From the article: "You'll also get a load of wallpapers, and a video showing how Xbox 360s are put together. Allard didn't say whether that'll be the same video that's been doing the rounds for a few weeks now, or a completely new one. Perhaps most excitingly, the hard drive will also feature Hexic, the addictive puzzler created by Alexy Pajitnov - yes, him who did Tetris. Allard explained that the basic concept is to show off what the 360 can do, and to get people taking advantage of all the extra content on offer. "

Comments

backwards compatibility

[GoNINzo]

That is such a fluff marketing peice about backwards compatibility. Basically 'Yeah we're working on it, wait two weeks!' And there's no way they can test all these games to make sure it works back to front. (I have a friend who used to test xbox games, it would take at least a week per game, and even then, it was sometimes a week per build!) I'm sure this will get modded down by the xbox fan boys but it's true. And you'll notice it requires a hard drive, which is something that we were told earlier in the week we wouldn't need. Good times.

The more actual details I learn about it, the more sour the taste in my mouth is. I also don't understand why a publisher would want to get locked into only develping for the xbox 360. I'm sure the exclusive titles like Halo, or the PS2's GTA series, yeah that helps sell boxes. But for the developer, they actually sell less over the short term. So yeah, it costs less to develop, and if they have a hit, I'm sure they could port it to another platform. But if they just develop it crossplatform to start with, you don't have the extended development time, and you hit all systems possible to get the widest distribution.

I'm still waiting for some serious gameplay footage to become available for some of these games. I've only seen the rendered stuff, a few non-textured videos of Perfect Dark: Zero, and a little gameplay of PGR3. I'm just not seeing where this is going.

I'd rather see them take their time, admit they are behind schedule, and lose the 'jump' they'll get on Sony. Because otherwise we end up with great dreamcast hardware, two good games to play (soul calibur and Armada), and a praying that it doesn't break cause we can't buy a new one.