3 ms·

Not according to the article you linked: > Technologically speaking, it's not wholly a surprise that backwards compatibility is off the table. Today, the compa

Not according to the article you linked: > Technologically speaking, it's not wholly a surprise that backwards compatibility is off the table. Today, the company confirmed months of rumors that the new Xbox would use an x86 CPU. Games designed for the Xbox 360's Xenon processor simply won't run natively on the new hardware, since the Xenon used a PowerPC architecture instead.

e1ven 13y ago
The Original Xbox and Xbox 360 used different processors as well. IIRC, Microsoft allowed/encouraged publishers to re-compile, and release a patch via XBL which let people play the original games on the new system.
- testbro 13y ago
  I think Xbox compatibility was achieved using an emulator; Wikipedia seems to suggest this is the case [1]. It seems like this would be an ideal opportunity for the QuickTransit [2] stuff Apple used in Rosetta to see some more use, assuming IBM would be willing to license it (and MS sees it as a worthwhile endeavour). [1] : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Xbox_games_compatible_with_Xbox_360#How_compatibility_is_achieved http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Xbox_games_compatible_w... [2] : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QuickTransit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QuickTransit
corresation 13y ago
It was known that it would have a different processor architecture, however historically backwards compatibility was a given if you had any entrenchment worth preserving. Usually it is achieved in whatever way is necessary: a secondary modern-process, lower-power PowerPC coprocessor chip for older games, or a real-time binary rewriting system, etc. I am surprised that Microsoft would throw the lead their 360 has amassed. I don't want to juggle multiple systems in the entertainment setup. If I switch to either a PS4 or a Xbox One, either leaves me out in the cold with my old "investment". So any advantage the One had in that regard is gone. It isn't a huge deal at all, but is factored in or not.

e1ven 13y ago

The Original Xbox and Xbox 360 used different processors as well. IIRC, Microsoft allowed/encouraged publishers to re-compile, and release a patch via XBL which let people play the original games on the new system.

testbro 13y ago
I think Xbox compatibility was achieved using an emulator; Wikipedia seems to suggest this is the case [1]. It seems like this would be an ideal opportunity for the QuickTransit [2] stuff Apple used in Rosetta to see some more use, assuming IBM would be willing to license it (and MS sees it as a worthwhile endeavour). [1] : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Xbox_games_compatible_with_Xbox_360#How_compatibility_is_achieved http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Xbox_games_compatible_w... [2] : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QuickTransit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QuickTransit

corresation 13y ago

It was known that it would have a different processor architecture, however historically backwards compatibility was a given if you had any entrenchment worth preserving. Usually it is achieved in whatever way is necessary: a secondary modern-process, lower-power PowerPC coprocessor chip for older games, or a real-time binary rewriting system, etc. I am surprised that Microsoft would throw the lead their 360 has amassed. I don't want to juggle multiple systems in the entertainment setup. If I switch to either a PS4 or a Xbox One, either leaves me out in the cold with my old "investment". So any advantage the One had in that regard is gone. It isn't a huge deal at all, but is factored in or not.