The Xbox One's backward compatibility emulator for the Xbox 360 is one of the console's key differentiators against the competition, but what if it could be even more?
In an exchange on Twitter, Xbox head Phil Spencer said "never say never" with regards to getting Xbox 360 games running on Windows 10 via emulation.
Spencer noted that it would be difficult to get backward compatibility running reliably across all the different types of PC hardware configurations out there, but closed with some degree of optimism.
@Micro_666 @TobiasFoxtail Running BC reliably on all the different PC HW configs would be a lot more work than XB1, but never say never.@Micro_666 @TobiasFoxtail Running BC reliably on all the different PC HW configs would be a lot more work than XB1, but never say never.— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) February 7, 2017February 7, 2017
The idea of getting the Xbox 360 emulator running on Windows 10 certainly fits in with Microsoft's "Play Anywhere" vision, by which your digital library of content travels with you, regardless of the device you're using. Naturally, the technical hurdles to get this running reliably would be significant, but the Xbox software engineering team seem to enjoy a challenge.
Whether we see X360 games on Windows 10 or not, Xbox is set to have a tremendous year with the upcoming Creators Update, various headline games including Halo Wars 2, State of Decay 2, and Sea of Thieves, and of course, the next Xbox, Project Scorpio.
Phil Spencer hailed this year's Xbox One line-up, saying that they're aiming to ship more first-party IP than in 2016.
@ShayneCollins38 I feel very good about this year. Should have more 1P games than last year, great diversity + launching new IP. Good year.@ShayneCollins38 I feel very good about this year. Should have more 1P games than last year, great diversity + launching new IP. Good year.— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) February 7, 2017February 7, 2017
Would you want to see your Xbox 360 digital library on Windows 10? Let us know what you think in the comments.
