It's nto the weirdest thing to happen. The Game Boy was forward compatible with GBC games (not the only for GBC games though). You could play them on there in monochrome, but then you could play them on the GBC in color, or on the Super Game Boy with color and sometimes special borders that could only be accessed through there

People would buy these games for the 360 now, then it would be long forgotten when the new system comes out. This is not a useful strategy.

The only thing that I'm worried about with the next gen systems is bringing over the XBLA and PSN games. I've dumped way too much money in XBLA for them to not work on the next system from MS.

Like fart_bubble said. I am more concerned about XBLA and PSN and Wiiware titles not being able to be played on future systems. If they aren't I would consider not getting them on the next system.

This idea makes sense. Many games that were developed for windows Me, or XP are playable on Vista. I don't understand why MS couldn't develop similar technology for the Xbox platform. This shouldn apply to retail and downloadable games.

I think what this means is that the new XBox won't be backwards compatible, but will be able to play these new "forwards compatible games". Basically, 1st party games from here on out will be programed differently or burned onto some different type of disc or something to ensure that they are compatible with whatever the new system is, so that when it finally launches, they can say "you can play our 4 launch games, or you can keep playing your 360+ version of Halo 4!"

@SeanNOLA

The article states that the 3rd generation Xbox will be backwards-compatible w/ xbox 360 games and include additional features for 360 games that are forewards-compatible.

@ fart_bubble & Monsta Mack

I believe the article also states you will or should be able to transfer your Xbox Gamertag. I assume this includes the transfer of all the XBLM content you've purchased.

It's like the Burger King Games really.

The Burger King Games had two complete games on the disc (an Xbox version and an Xbox 360 version) so that wouldn't make sense with most games since they take up much more space than half of a DVD.

While it could happen with a few games after the release of the next Xbox (like the GBC example that was previously mentioned) but advertising that a game will have new features in a year or two when the new system comes out just doesn't sound that great.

@PenguinMaster

I believe what M$oft may be trying to do is trying to get more longevity out of their games when the next console is released.

I'll use Halo 2 as a fictitious example. Imagine you played a shit-ton of Halo 2 on your Xbox blah blah blah... along comes the 360. M$oft anticipated the release of the 360 and created Halo 2 with forward-compatibility so that it would take advantage of the 360's power.

Your friend purchases a 360 and plays it on his HDTV and it looks exactly like Halo 3 does(this is all theoretical) in addition to the updated graphics it also supports achievements which you didn't have on the original xbox. I believe the ultimate goal is to get you to be envious of your friend's new console and you will go out and buy one. As well you don't necessarily have to buy new games, but you will get additional features out of some of your games just by upgrading.

M$oft is more concerned about moving consoles than they are about moving games, and in the end the consoles themselves end up selling games. It's a win, win for M$oft.