Backward Compatibility
Ongoing coverage on Backward Compatibility.
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Xbox launches new backwards compatibility program on PC, starting with four games from the early 2000s
Microsoft's Xbox division has launched a new backwards compatibility program for PC, making four original Xbox titles available on the Xbox app. These enhanced versions of Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, Blinx: The Time Sweeper, and Fuzion Frenzy feature upscaled resolution and other improvements. This initiative is part of a broader effort to preserve Xbox's gaming legacy and bring classic titles to PC.
Xbox Reveals Four Classic Xbox Titles As Part Of "Backward Compatibility on PC"
Xbox has launched its "Backward Compatibility on PC" initiative, making four classic original Xbox titles available to play natively on PC with enhanced graphics options. The titles include BLiNX: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Fuzion Frenzy, all of which are also included in Xbox Game Pass. Future updates will bring achievements to these and other original Xbox games.
Play More of the Games You Love, Wherever You Play with XBOX Backward Compatibility on PC
Xbox Backward Compatibility is now available on PC, allowing players to access classic original Xbox games on PC and handheld devices like the ASUS ROG Ally. Initially launching with four titles, this feature is part of a broader effort to preserve older games and enhance them with features like resolution upscaling and customizable graphics settings. Future updates will include Achievements for select titles.
Xbox Backwards Compatibility for PC is Now Live With BLiNX: The Time Sweeper and More
Xbox has launched backwards compatibility for several original Xbox titles on PC, including BLiNX: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Fuzion Frenzy. These games are available for purchase and included with all Game Pass tiers, offering enhanced features like resolution upscaling and improved graphics. This initiative aims to preserve older Xbox games and bring them to PC, with plans for more titles and achievements to be added over time.
The Xbox Characters That Defined 25 Years of Gaming
This article examines the iconic characters that have defined Xbox's 25-year history, from Master Chief and Marcus Fenix to Minecraft Steve and Ori. These characters represent the evolution of Xbox from a console newcomer to a multi-platform gaming brand, highlighting shifts in game design, company acquisitions, and the importance of personality in brand identity.
Xbox Rolling Out Disc-to-Digital Conversion for Insiders This Week – Rumor
Microsoft is reportedly testing a "Disc to Digital" feature for Xbox Insiders that would allow users to convert physical game discs into digital licenses. This feature, codenamed "Positron," is expected to support Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S titles, but not older console generations. The move could be a way for players to maintain access to their libraries if future Xbox consoles omit disc drives.
'I find myself in the novel position of looking for a job' — 27-year Bethesda veteran who designed Skyrim's humanoid races and a Microsoft dev behind Xbox backwards compatibility have been laid off
Xbox has undergone a significant restructuring, leading to the layoff of thousands of employees, including industry veterans Christiane Meister from Bethesda Game Studios and Kevin LaChapelle from Xbox. Meister, who designed races for The Elder Scrolls series, and LaChapelle, a lead developer for Xbox's backward compatibility, are now seeking new employment. This wave of layoffs also affected studios like Compulsion Games and Ninja Theory.
Black Ops ports are 50% cheaper on PS5 but not Xbox as fans fume over price
Ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 are now available on PlayStation 4 and 5, featuring single-player, multiplayer, and Zombies modes without graphical updates or included DLC. While priced at £34.99 each, PS Plus members receive a 50% discount, bringing the cost down to £17.49 per game. This pricing is significantly cheaper than the Xbox versions, despite Microsoft's ownership of Activision, leading to fan frustration over the cost of older titles.
After 37 years at Microsoft, veteran who led Xbox Backward Compatibility program has been laid off: "I look forward…
Kevin LaChappelle, a 37-year Microsoft veteran who led the Xbox Backward Compatibility program, has been laid off as part of the company's recent wave of job cuts. LaChappelle confirmed his departure on LinkedIn, highlighting his fondest memories leading the team that developed the backward compatibility feature for Xbox 360 games on Xbox One, which was first announced at E3 2015. He also led the team responsible for Xbox's Cloud Gaming product.
Man behind Xbox backwards compatibility laid off as 25% of Obsidian devs cut
Microsoft has laid off Kevin LaChapelle, the key figure behind Xbox's backwards compatibility and cloud gaming features, as part of broader cuts affecting 3,200 employees. Several development studios, including Compulsion Games and Double Fine, have become independent or are being sold off. Approximately 25% of Obsidian Entertainment's staff has also been impacted by these layoffs.
Xbox Layoffs Includes Backwards Compatibility Program and Cloud Gaming Lead
Xbox has undergone significant layoffs, impacting key figures like Kevin LaChapelle, vice president of Xbox Platform, who oversaw cloud gaming and the Xbox Backwards Compatibility Program. This move raises concerns about the future of game preservation and backwards compatibility efforts within the company, following earlier announcements of ending the program and then forming a new team for it. The layoffs also affected several studios, including Undead Labs, Ninja Theory, Double Fine Productions, and Compulsion Games.
Xbox Layoffs Included 37-Year Veteran Who Designed One Of Xbox’s Best Features Ever
Microsoft's recent layoffs at Xbox have impacted 1,600 employees, including 37-year veteran Kevin LaChapelle, who was instrumental in developing the popular backwards compatibility feature for Xbox consoles. The company is also divesting several studios as part of a broader restructuring, with some strategic bets like Xbox Game Pass not meeting expectations.
PS6 Is All But Confirmed To Be Digital Only, So What’s Going To Happen To Backwards Compatibility?
Sony is reportedly phasing out disc-based games by 2028, strongly suggesting a digital-only PlayStation 6 console. This shift raises questions about how backwards compatibility will be handled for future generations.
I guess backwards compatibility is dead on consoles now
This article discusses the perceived decline of backwards compatibility on modern gaming consoles. The author expresses a sentiment that this feature, once a significant consideration for players, may be becoming obsolete in the current console generation.
The Future of Consoles: What to Expect from the Next Generation of Xbox
Microsoft is developing a next-generation Xbox platform, codenamed Project Helix, which aims to unify the Xbox and PC gaming ecosystems. This future console will emphasize cloud gaming, artificial intelligence for enhanced experiences and performance, and maintain backward compatibility. The strategy suggests a shift towards a flexible, multi-device gaming environment rather than a traditional, single-purpose console.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 1&2 PlayStation re-releases are not remasters, Activision confirms: here's why you should temper your expectations
Activision has confirmed that Call of Duty: Black Ops and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 are being ported to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, with developer Treyarch announcing a July release. Iron Galaxy is handling the porting duties, which are explicitly stated to be ports, not remasters. This distinction is important as it suggests limited enhancements and potential issues with older server infrastructure, unlike the backwards compatibility available on Xbox.
Call Of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 ports are skipping Xbox but for a good reason
Treyarch and Activision are releasing ports of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 for PlayStation consoles in July. These are straight ports, not remasters, and will include campaign, multiplayer, and Zombies modes. The omission of an Xbox release is due to the games already being available via backwards compatibility on Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Morning Consolidation
Rockstar Games is offering free current-generation upgrades for Grand Theft Auto 5 to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One owners. Separately, some Xbox Series X owners are still experiencing issues with backward compatibility for certain 360 games.
Sonic Team head says he wants every Sonic game playable on modern hardware
Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka expressed a desire to make every Sonic game playable on modern hardware, addressing fan requests for better backward compatibility. This initiative aims to preserve the franchise's legacy and make its extensive library accessible to new and returning players.
Minecraft seems to be coming to Nintendo Switch 2
A new ESRB rating suggests Minecraft is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 as a native version, separate from the existing Nintendo Switch release. While the current version is playable via backwards compatibility, a dedicated Switch 2 version could offer performance and graphical improvements.
