Microsoft at E3: Xbox 'Game Preview,' backwards compatibility with Xbox 360 games and PC mods

[Shawn Knight]

Microsoft’s 2015 E3 keynote certainly didn’t disappoint (here's the replay in case you missed it). The Xbox One was predictably the focus of today’s event but it’s what the Redmond-based company is doing with its console as it relates to PC gaming that may surprise you the most.

Backwards Compatibility

For starters, Microsoft revealed that it is bringing backwards compatibility for Xbox 360 games to the Xbox One. Older titles – both discs and digital games – played on the new console will enjoy the same features as Xbox One games including broadcasting, screenshots and DVR capabilities.

Game saves, achievements, your Gamerscore and more will also transfer over so you won’t have to start fresh if you don’t want to. And if you already own a game, you won’t have to purchase it again (an obvious dig at Sony’s PlayStation Now streaming service).

Microsoft noted that Xbox One owners will be able to play multiplayer Xbox 360 titles against those that own the older system. Xbox Preview Program participants can try up 18 games initially with plans to have more than 100 compatible titles ready by the holiday season. The only hurdle mentioned is that developers will have to approve their titles for backwards compatibility.

Xbox Game Preview

You know you’ve come up with a good idea when the rest of the industry copies it. That’s more or less what Microsoft is doing with Game Preview, a new feature that allows gamers to pay to play games that are still in development.

An obvious lift of Steam Early Access, Xbox Game Preview allows gamers play a trial of an in-development game free of charge. Based on this, prospective buyers will be able to make an informed decision regarding whether or not they want to buy in at the early stage or wait for the finished product to launch.

Xbox Game Preview launches today with access to two upcoming games: The Long Dark and Elite: Dangerous.

Mods

Last but certainly not least, Microsoft announced that Fallout 4 on the Xbox One would support PC mods. Not much is known about this feature as of writing but I can tell you that this is a huge step in terms of blurring the lines between the two platforms.

Console gaming certainly has its advantages (portability, cost, ease of use, exclusive content and so on) but PC gamers have long maintained that their machines are more powerful and the ability to mod can bring a whole new aspect to a game.

Mods were reason enough for many to hold off on buying console versions of Grand Theft Auto V. Now that the game is finally available on PC, we’re seeing some incredible user-created mods that add all sorts of new dynamics to San Andreas (and even Vice City).

It’s unclear if PC mods will be coming to other Xbox One games but the potential is certainly there and Microsoft would be wise to take advantage of it.

As The Verge correctly highlights, we’ve recently played witness to companies trying to merge the convenience of console gaming with the flexibility of PC gaming. Valve’s Steam Machines are a prime example of this but thus far, the effort hasn’t yet taken root.

Where Valve is taking a PC’s square peg and trying to force it into the console’s round hole, Microsoft is approaching the same idea from the opposite end. They started with a console and are gradually adding PC-like features and capabilities, a strategy that seems to be working out quite well.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/60995-microsoft-e3-xbox-game-preview-backwards-compatibility-xbox.html

 

[Guest]

Who really cares about backward compatibility? I wont be playing old last gen titles on a newer system. Microsoft will just add a few polish to the old titles and sell them back to us online. There better be some game announcements or else SONY will just continue to steam roll them. Not impress so far

 

[Guest]

Game announcements? How about forza 6/halo/gears of war/rare reply & the new game/tomb raider/sea of thieves/fallout 4 - with pc mods as well just to name a few that were announced. Backwards compatibility will bring convenience to a lot of people around the world who don't want to still keep there xbox 360 but would still like to play the games. Less fan boyism and more enthusiasm for the industry maybe??? The hololens was a great piece of technology to showcase as well. How long this will take to reach us commercial is uncertain or the price but nice to see what is capable.

 

[Magneto10]

Who really cares about backward compatibility? I wont be playing old last gen titles on a newer system. Microsoft will just add a few polish to the old titles and sell them back to us online. There better be some game announcements or else SONY will just continue to steam roll them. Not impress so far

I have PS3. Backward compatibility will be great for exclusives I missed. I do not mind play old games. Still wish for some new games on XBONE

 

[davislane1]

Who really cares about backward compatibility?

Evidently enough people for MS to justify bringing it to the XBOX One and for Sony to offer a streaming service.

 

[amstech]

Who really cares about backward compatibility?

It's more complicated then that.
For example: on my 360S I have about 10 games I bought from the Microsoft store (so they are only available on that console), including Mortal Kombat 9, Forza Horizon 2, GTA5 and Need For Speed High Stakes. Sure would be nice to have them available on my Xbox 1 since I HAVE ALREADY PAID FOR THEM. Doesn't have to be the X1 version, just the 360 version made to work.
Thats one example of many I have.
(btw, got my X1 new for cheap so don't hate)

 

[Hammayon]

Game announcements? How about forza 6/halo/gears of war/rare reply & the new game/tomb raider/sea of thieves/fallout 4 - with pc mods as well just to name a few that were announced. Backwards compatibility will bring convenience to a lot of people around the world who don't want to still keep there xbox 360 but would still like to play the games. Less fan boyism and more enthusiasm for the industry maybe??? The hololens was a great piece of technology to showcase as well. How long this will take to reach us commercial is uncertain or the price but nice to see what is capable.

OK Gears of War Ultimate Remaster = Gears of WAR PC.

same content, 60 fps.
yeah there are some tweaks here and there but no improved lighting or anything. The pc version has better textures than console so the textures will be the same as PC now so it will have improved textures.
If you own Gears of War PC there is absolutely no reason you should shell out money for the remaster. They need to bring out Remasters of 2,3, and Judgement which is a great game no matter what anyone says. I hope they have 60 fps, better textures, and better lighting. I'd dish out $20-$30 per game. They should NOT price it as a full game. If they do, shame on you Microsoft. The games wont' sell well and the talent invested would not be utilized efficiently. Why pay full price for an old old game with a few tweaks? The games you can buy used for like $5 each now for Xbox 360.

Halo 5 is coming out in October 27, 2015 so that's great.
Gears of War 4 wont' be until December of 2016. That's too long. Probably because they will be working on remasters as well. Or is it another studio?

Rise of the Tomb Raider will come out for all systems eventually. It will come out for pc and be far better.

The 980 Ti , the new 390X and Figi AMD flagship cards blow the XBOX ONE out of the water!!!!!

 

[Nero7]

Backwards compatibility is a must for me. Over time I got quite a selection of games spread across the gens. Not gonna have 5 consoles set up for them.

 

[treetops]

Its about time. Who knows maybe one day will have 1080p.