We've known for a while that Microsoft intends to go in hard on backwards compatibility for the Xbox Series X. The next-gen Xbox console will support titles from every previous Xbox from day one. This is impressive enough in itself, especially given the way Sony has been dragging its feet on revealing whether or not PlayStation 5 will do the same.
Now, Partner Director of Program Management for the Xbox Platform Team, Jason Ronald, has offered a little more insight into the tech that's gone into making Xbox Series X's backwards compatibility happen. Not only will we be able to play through thousands of old titles, but they'll look better than ever before. Some, according to Ronald, will even be able to run in 4K and up to 120 frames per second.
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Writing in a post on Xbox Wire, Ronald explained that backwards compatible games will run natively on the Xbox Series X hardware, making full use of the CPU, GPU, and SSD. This means that every game will be able to harness the "full power" of the Xbox Series X, and will be able to run at "peak performance".
Ronald added that this will result in "higher and more steady framerates and rendering at their maximum resolution and visual quality". There'll also be reduced loading times, and even a HDR reconstruction technique which allows the platform to automatically add HDR support to games - even the titles that were developed long before HDR was a thing.
"With all of the additional power and advancements of the Xbox Series X, the compatibility team now has a veritable playground of new capabilities to innovate and push the limits of game preservation and enhancement," Ronald wrote.
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"The compatibility team has invented brand new techniques that enable even more titles to run at higher resolutions and image quality while still respecting the artistic intent and vision of the original creators. We are also creating whole new classes of innovations including the ability to double the frame rate of a select set of titles from 30 fps to 60 fps or 60 fps to 120 fps."
Ronald finished by assuring fans that the team is always looking at feedback and working to bring old favourites to the program. Of course, this often involves a complicated blend of licensing issues and other technical problems. Regardless, the Xbox Series X is shaping up to be best place to re-live all your old favourites. I just hope they add Kung-Fu Chaos sooner rather than later.
Featured Image Credit: XboxTopics: Halo, Xbox Series X, Fable