Future Xbox Hardware to Carry on Backwards Compatibility

In a day and age where digital content and products aren't always truly owned by consumers, the case for video game preservation and backwards compatibility remain stronger than ever. With that in mind, it looks like the folks over at Microsoft's Xbox division are well-aware of this, based on some new information online.

As reported by the team over at Windows Central, several emails from Xbox President Sarah sent to personnel go over Microsoft's plans to develop new Xbox hardware, described as "the biggest technical leap ever in a generation." Of course at this point there's little news in the way of hardware, although recent statements from Microsoft's Phil Spencer claim that the Xbox hardware team is considering "different hardware form factors."

More interestingly though, Bond also revealed that Microsoft has a dedicated team in place to future-proof digital Xbox game libraries across upcoming hardware products, in a move that aims to "build on the platform's history of backwards compatibility." Currently, the Xbox Series S|X can play select titles dating back to the first-generation Xbox's heyday.

Comparing this to Nintendo's continued shutdown of its 3DS and Wii U online services (thereby preventing players from purchasing legacy games in the future), it seems that Xbox's stance on game preservation and backwards compatibility is on the right track. Microsoft has yet to fully reveal its future console plans however, at least for the time being.