Microsoft Xbox boss Phil Spencer has confirmed that more backward compatible games would arrive on the Xbox. Currently, the Xbox One backward compatibility lineup includes 13 Original Xbox exclusive games.
Not without complications
Spencer took to Twitter to announce the development, saying “There are a number of [Original Xbox] games in [backwards compatibility] pipeline.” However, the executive cautioned that including OG Xbox games into the catalog is “more complicated” than it is for the Xbox 360 titles.
Explaining it further, he said that it is complicated to get the permission from the rights-holders for titles compared to the Xbox 360 titles. This results in fewer titles in the OG Xbox games library compared to the Xbox 360. However, the executive added that the “team is working to validate and get permissions. More complicated with some just due to the age of the rights etc.”
Lack of Xbox exclusive games – a big problem
Meanwhile, Microsoft has put its trust in Xbox head Phil Spencer promoting him to executive vice president of gaming. Spencer now will be expected to solve one of the most grueling Xbox issues, i.e., lack of enough Xbox exclusive games from the big title makers.
Compared to arch-rival PlayStation 4, Xbox is far behind when it comes to the global install base. Although Microsoft does not divulge the hardware sales number, as per the analysts, the sales number is estimated to be around 35 million, compared to over 73 million for the PlayStation 4, notes Polygon.
The gap is not expected to narrow this year as well, considering PS4’s line-up of games. For 2018, PS4 fans will get The Last of Us Part 2, God of War, Spider-Man, Dreams and Detroit: Become Human. Along with major titles, Sony is also raking in third-party deals for games such as Call of Duty: WWII, Destiny 2 and Star Wars Battlefront 2.
On the other hand, the Xbox exclusive titles in the pipeline for 2018 include State of Decay 2, Sea of Thieves and Crackdown 3. Undoubtedly, these are interesting titles but they lack the sheen when pitched against Sony’s impressive lineup, notes Polygon. Over the past couple of years, some high-profile cancellations such as PlatinumGames’ Scalebound and Lionhead’s Fable Legends were a big blow to Microsoft’s plan for Xbox exclusive games.
Spencer is aware of the problem, and he acknowledged the same during an interview with Bloomberg late last year.
“Our ability to go create content has to be one of our strengths. We haven’t always invested at the same level. We’ve gone through ups and downs in the investment,” he said.
Free game with Xbox One X
Meanwhile, to lure more buyers toward the newest Xbox console, a lot of retailers are giving away free games with the Xbox One X console. First, it was reported that Newegg is offering a free copy of Monster Hunter World with the new console. Now, Best Buy is also offering a free game with the console, reports ComicBook.
A customer can choose from the many options that BestBuy is offering, including titles like Middle-Earth: Shadow of War, Destiny 2, Star Wars: Battlefront II, Call of Duty: WWII, Madden NFL 18 and more. Surely, the options are better compared to that of Newegg. The offer will expire later this week.
