The team at Xbox has been investing in backward compability in a way we've genuinely never seen before in the console space. Incredible features like FPS Boost and Auto HDR have introduced transformative opportunities for players to revisit some of their favorite Xbox One games. As someone who prefers the traditional console experience, it's been remarkable watching this suite of enhancements grow.
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Jason Ronald, the Director of Program Management for Xbox, to chat about the magic of FPS Boost, some new techniques that could potentially see more of your favorite games running better than ever before on your Xbox Series X|S, and the future of Xbox backward compatibility. Here are some incredible insights into exactly what it takes to add FPS Boost to a game and why the team at Xbox's dedication to video game preservation through a robust backward compatibility program is absolutely worth celebrating.
The current state of Xbox backward combability
Most backward compatible titles on Xbox Series X|S support Quick Resume as well as Auto HDR and nearly 100 Xbox One games have been given the gift of FPS Boost on Microsoft's current-gen consoles, meaning the frame rate has been increased. Key figures from Xbox's engineering and leadership teams have also declared their commitment to ensuring this platform delivers a "best in class" backward compatibility program. With thousands of games currently available to play from multiple generations, it's certainly hard to argue against Xbox's position as the market leader in backward compatibility, but this team continues to innovate in exciting ways.
The topics covered in our interview
- How exactly does FPS Boost work with backward compatible titles on the Xbox Series X|S? - 1:00
- Ronald breaks down what goes in to adding FPS Boost to a game on Xbox and the complexities of enhancing a title without touching the source code.
- The new FPS Boost technique created for Dark Souls 3, how it differs from previous FPS boost titles, and whether or not this opens up new possibilities for future game enhancements. - 4:00
- Ronald explains the technical wizardry that went in to bringing FPS Boost to Dark Souls 3 on Xbox Series X|S.
- When it comes to enhancing new games, how does your team go about prioritizing which titles get the FPS Boost treatment? - 07:15
- Ronald describes how the team decides which games get FPS Boost and explains Xbox's commitment to listening to community feedback.
- Are you able to share any updates on the possibilities of FPS Boost for legacy backward compatibility titles from the Xbox 360 and original Xbox? - 08:55
- Ronald details the team's current objectives when it comes to adding FPS Boost to games from the Xbox 360 and original Xbox generations.
- Is there a chance titles like Fallout 76 could be updated to support FPS Boost while maintaining the Xbox One X enhancements? - 09:50
- Ronald describes the complications involved with FPS Boost and Xbox One X enhancements and shares whether or not we could see some of these previously boosted titles updated.
- What have been some of the biggest hurdles when it comes to adding FPS Boost to a game? - 11:03
- Ronald explains how and why FPS Boost isn't nearly as straightforward as we assume it is and the biggest challenges his team faces with this upgrades.
- Are there any other exciting backwards compatibility enhancements Xbox players can look forward to in the future? Is something like Resolution Boost on the table right now? - 12:08
- Ronald reiterates the team's focus on delivering a best-in-class backward compatibility program and their plans for future enhancements.
Share your thoughts!
What are your thoughts on FPS Boost and the Xbox backward compatibility program? Are there any games or enhancements you want to see added? Let us know in the comment section below! And if you're looking for something new to play, check out our list of the best games on Xbox Game Pass.
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