No backward compatibility in Xbox 2

SpinnerSpinner Birmingham, UK
edited June 2004 in Science & Tech
GamesIndustry.biz reports that sources close to Microsoft's senior Xbox executives have confirmed that the company does not intend to make its next-generation console, which is set to be launched by late 2005, backwards compatible with existing Xbox software.
Speculation about the backwards compatibility functionality has been rife since it emerged that Xbox 2 - codenamed Xenon - will have radically different hardware to the original system, with a non-x86 processor, no hard drive and an ATI, rather than NVIDIA, graphics chipset, all of which would make running Xbox titles on the platform very difficult.
Source: GamesIndustry

Comments

  • entropyentropy Yah-Der-Hey (Wisconsin)
    edited June 2004
    Not a big fan of Xbox myself, but no matter what system does this - it's just plain stupid. I didn't pay $300+ for a system and games, but then be required to KEEP that system because my new one can't play it. For radical changes, like if they do away with CDs altogether and have some freaky-deaky data cube ... then yes, I'd understand. But they're still using discs...
  • shwaipshwaip bluffin' with my muffin Icrontian
    edited June 2004
    IMO, the bigger problem there is that there will be no HD. Backwards compatibility is really only present within the gameboy and playstation 1/2 lines. While it does affect the sellability of the console, I think the lack of HD is a bigger deal.
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited June 2004
    I agree. There's no technical reason for it. Lame.

    Sony set the standard in this regard.
  • entropyentropy Yah-Der-Hey (Wisconsin)
    edited June 2004
    Is it going to be a drop-and-play system, like Apex's .. whatever system they call it? and Phantom (but that requires downloading the games, does it not?)
  • FormFactorFormFactor At the core of forgotten
    edited June 2004
    So what would be the reason for not including backward compatibility? Might M$ be planning to release an emulator that they can charge more cash for later on?

    And from my understanding M$ will have a different storage option than an internal hard drive. Instead they plan to sell an external device with solid state memory that will play mp3s n such. They hope it will be an ipod killer.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited June 2004
    And this crap, guys, is why I hate consoles.
  • TemplarTemplar You first.
    edited June 2004
    Oh my god... No HDD? I can understand not wanting Xbox 2 hacked, but seriously, HDD > Memory cards any day (though, unless they're planning on Micro-HDD memory cards... but those would be rather fragile compared to solid state cards).

    Arrg to you MS. Arrg. /pirate
  • entropyentropy Yah-Der-Hey (Wisconsin)
    edited June 2004
    lol Thrax. But they *can* be fun :) Like the new Metroid game coming out for Gamecube....
    /me drools
     Metroid Prime was such an excellent game...this looks even better :D
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited June 2004
    I don't like Metroid.

    I sure do like Smash Brothers Melee though. :)
  • TheBaronTheBaron Austin, TX
    edited June 2004
    that is the worst marketing decision they ever made. you'd think, considering that xbox is still losing money, that they wouldn't make such a monumentally dumb decision
  • entropyentropy Yah-Der-Hey (Wisconsin)
    edited June 2004
    TheBaron - have we forgotten who's making the Xbox? :D
    And yes, Thrax, that's the game that got my brother, my neighbors and me through summer last year. All day ... every day ...
  • SputnikSputnik Worcester, MA
    edited June 2004
    technical reason: read that non-x86 chip again

    last i heard it was a powerpc chip which would have to emulate the hacked celeron that runs the current xbox. that, my friends, is a technical reason as to not go backwards compatable (as far as i'm concerned, that's all i was seeing when i saw that M$ was in cahoots with IBM on an apple rumormill site)
  • KingFishKingFish
    edited June 2004
    I'm not a console lover either. The latest and greatest is on the pc, hardware-wise. It will always be more cutting edge. Not being backwards compatible will turn out to be a mistake on Microsoft's part, IMO. It seems to be a knee jerk reaction to the hacked boxes running linux. This will hurt the long term viability of the Xbox, which is already showing signs of becoming destined to be the caboose in the console game wars anyway.

    KF
  • MedlockMedlock Miramar, Florida Member
    edited June 2004
    KingFish wrote:
    This will hurt the long term viability of the Xbox, which is already showing signs of becoming destined to be the caboose in the console game wars anyway.

    KF
    Of course. Last time I checked Xbox had less sales than the Gamecube. ;D

    I love Metroid Prime and Super smash bros. melee. I played SSB on the 64. I'm anxiously waiting for the next Metroid Prime game. :thumbsup:

    Maybe I'm just wierd, but I consider the N64 to be the greatest system of all time. I SO WISH I still had half my 64 games. I actually still do better in FPS games on the N64 than I do with a mouse+keyboard OR the two analog sticks on the newer systems. I love way Perfect Dark and the 007 games handled. My favorite games to date were all on the N64, save for Metroid Prime. :)
    *sigh*
    entr0py wrote:
    And yes, Thrax, that's the game that got my brother, my neighbors and me through summer last year. All day ... every day ...
    That game is already helping me and my friends out. We WOULD play some Perfect Dark (we all like it better than Nightfire on the Gamecube) but I lost it a while back.

    :topic:

    I really don't think the lack of backward-compatibility of the next console will affect the sales as adversely as some of you make it sound. I don't think the lack of a hard drive will really make that big a difference. The Gamecube and PS2 get along fine without them. I really don't see how the next system could ever emulate the x-box. Totally different hardware. I so want to see what Microsoft's next system can do. It better not flop after switching to ATi. :mean:

    /nintedo fanboy :thumbsup:
  • JengoJengo Pasco, WA | USA
    edited June 2004
    Yeah, the 64 was a really great console, it had some awsome games. it IS one of my favorite consoles.

    But who cares about Xbox anyways... i mean come on... Xbox sucks... it does have quite a few nice games on it. BUT i for some reason it just doesnt click.... heh...

    Cube is better IMO, cube is better then both PS2 and Xbox. thats IMO....
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