Xbox 720 - Disc Format Not Backwardly Compatible
Microsoft plans a May 21 event to launch the system
Warthog 2
It appears that the as yet to be released Microsoft Xbox '720' - which seem to be launching on May 21st - will not be able to play discs from previous incarnations of the Xbox.
The information comes via the respected Bloomberg service, which points out that, like Sony's PS4, the Xbox 720 will also use use an Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD) Jaguar processors, "as it seeks to cut the cost of building machines and get developers to create more titles" and that this means no backwards compatibility.
Bloomberg has confirmed that, "The Xbox will use an AMD system-on-a-chip that combines powerful Jaguar central processing units with graphics chips, said one of the people, who sought anonymity because the plans aren’t public. The shift to the so-called x86 format ubiquitous in modern personal computers means Microsoft will drop the Power PC technology designed by International Business Machines Corp. (IBM), and game discs made for the current Xbox 360 won’t be compatible."
So, like most consoles since, well, a long time ago... no backwards compatibility. We will now bet a small sum that Microsoft will make older games available via some download service later in the life of the 720.
The information comes via the respected Bloomberg service, which points out that, like Sony's PS4, the Xbox 720 will also use use an Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD) Jaguar processors, "as it seeks to cut the cost of building machines and get developers to create more titles" and that this means no backwards compatibility.
Bloomberg has confirmed that, "The Xbox will use an AMD system-on-a-chip that combines powerful Jaguar central processing units with graphics chips, said one of the people, who sought anonymity because the plans aren’t public. The shift to the so-called x86 format ubiquitous in modern personal computers means Microsoft will drop the Power PC technology designed by International Business Machines Corp. (IBM), and game discs made for the current Xbox 360 won’t be compatible."
So, like most consoles since, well, a long time ago... no backwards compatibility. We will now bet a small sum that Microsoft will make older games available via some download service later in the life of the 720.
Companies:
Microsoft
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Comments
R 9 Apr 2013 09:50
1/3
Is this poorly written article insinuating that the console itself is launching on May 21st?
Think someone has the wrong end of the stick.
Think someone has the wrong end of the stick.
ghoti 9 Apr 2013 10:25
2/3
It's not that it won't be able to read the discs, it's that it won't be able to run the software on them.
The blu-ray drive will be able to read DVDs.
The blu-ray drive will be able to read DVDs.
Steviepunk 9 Apr 2013 16:37
3/3
"So, like most consoles since, well, a long time ago... no backwards compatibility."
I'm curious, what consoles are you referring to? Most that I can think of from the last 12 or 13 years did launch with backward compatibilty
PS2 - Played PS1 games
PS3 - Launch version did play PS2 games
Xbox 360 - Could play most Xbox games
Nintendo handhelds - As far as I am aware, most Nintendo handhelds are backwards compatible with the previous one (3DS plays DS, DS plays gameboy advance games, GBA could play GB games)
Wii U - plays Wii games
Wii - could play GameCube games
Only consoles that come to mind that don't have backward compatiblity are:
PS Vita
Uncertain about Gamecube compatiblity, but it probably couldn't play N64 games due to switching to CD (which actually IS a case of media format being incompatible ;) )
I'm not sure why it seems to be getting banded about that expecting backwards compatibility is an unrealistic expectation, it's not as uncommon as the media seem to want us to believe.
Issues of the always on DRM aside (which would be a deal breaker), I'd have no hesitation in getting the next xbox if it would play all my existing games (both DVD and XBLA), if it doesn't, then I'll wait until there are enough games available to justify getting one since I don't have space under the TV for both :(
I'm curious, what consoles are you referring to? Most that I can think of from the last 12 or 13 years did launch with backward compatibilty
PS2 - Played PS1 games
PS3 - Launch version did play PS2 games
Xbox 360 - Could play most Xbox games
Nintendo handhelds - As far as I am aware, most Nintendo handhelds are backwards compatible with the previous one (3DS plays DS, DS plays gameboy advance games, GBA could play GB games)
Wii U - plays Wii games
Wii - could play GameCube games
Only consoles that come to mind that don't have backward compatiblity are:
PS Vita
Uncertain about Gamecube compatiblity, but it probably couldn't play N64 games due to switching to CD (which actually IS a case of media format being incompatible ;) )
I'm not sure why it seems to be getting banded about that expecting backwards compatibility is an unrealistic expectation, it's not as uncommon as the media seem to want us to believe.
Issues of the always on DRM aside (which would be a deal breaker), I'd have no hesitation in getting the next xbox if it would play all my existing games (both DVD and XBLA), if it doesn't, then I'll wait until there are enough games available to justify getting one since I don't have space under the TV for both :(