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

Xbox One won't be backwards-compatible with previous-generation games and software. It's a tough pill for some potential customers to swallow. What will make that pill even tougher, is Microsoft's stance on the whole situation. IEB boss Don Mattrick has ruled out any effort to implement such a feature in the future.

The reason? According to a feature in the Wall Street Journal, it's just not worth the time and money to invest in offering it. 'Backwards compatibility isn't really a problem', paraphrases the article, citing Mattrick in adding that 'only 5% of customers play older games on a new videogame system anyway.'

"If you’re backwards compatible, you’re really backwards," Mattrick is quoted as saying.

It comes as Microsoft presents a very different proposition with Xbox One over Sony's PlayStation 4. While Sony used its first impression (back in February) of the PS4 to highlight games and developer philosophies, Microsoft did so last night with Xbox One by highlighting a marriage between live TV and interactive entertainment.