Xbox 360 backwards compatibility survey: Fact of fiction?

http://gmrgsurvey.net/misc/isp04vgus/privacy.htm

Original survey.

"If you are playing an Xbox game on Live you will be able to compete against people playing that same game on Xbox 2"

If you were MS wouldn't you shout about backwards compatibility from across the rooftops?
Why keep a lid (or sliding tray) on it?

But then again how big a problem is not having backwards compatibility?
I mean how many ps1 games do you play on your ps2?

The best reason for backwards compatability that I can think of is that when they stop producing the first Xbox, after a whilst you won't be able to buy one any more. Not a problem as long as your current box stays healthy - but if it dies you suddenly have a shedload of games that may as well be used as drinks mats.
At least I know with the PS2, and eventually the PS3, that i'll be able to boot up Abe's Oddysee and Tekken 3 every now and again :)

I used to play on my PS2 every day ( almost). Since I have upgraded to Xbox, I have not given it a second thought. The same happened with PS1 when I got PS2. I dont think backwards compatibility is an issue at all. When I get the 360, I will still keep my Xbox, as I have my PS1 & PS2. But it will probably not get much use.

I feel that people want backwards compatibility because of they want to keep all of their best games from previous machines. Along with this having all these machines and wires takes up a lot of space. Obviously we don't want to have to unbox a previous machines just to play a game (though doing so does bring back some nostalgia and shows you why you bought it and appreciate it in the first place).

Microsoft is going to relaunch games for Xbox360 that are originaly from Xbox 1, then, Do I have to buy the game again? I cannot play my Original Xbox 1 games?
This is tricky
is this the backward compatibilty?

I think that the 360 will not be backwards compatible.
I think that the 360 and Xbox 1 will be able to communicate over Live.
Meaning you can have people using the 360 version of Halo2 and the Xbox 1 version of Halo2 playing in the same live session but using different consoles.
That is how I read it.

Cross-platform online multiplayer? Has that been done before? How difficult would that be to implement?

Yes, it has been done - I play Final Fantasy XI on PC and there are several players on the same servers using the PS2 version.
It is true that PS2 users lose out in the graphics department, but this in no way affects gameplay.

Given the differences between PS2 and PC, I should think Xbox and 360 would be a doddle to implement.

On reflection you're right. If the Live mode of the Xbox 360 version of Halo 2 is exactly the same as the XB original (bar improved textrures/lighting) there should be no problems - especially since they're both being played through the same online service.