Backwards Compatibility in Video Games

Introduction

Backward compatibility is a feature that guarantees functionality with previous standards or versions. Backward compatibility makes it possible for technology to move ahead without making living technology obsolete. For example, in the the fast-paced, greatly competitive computer industry, manufacturers and engineers form cooperative categories to grow new standard s. Once these measures are adopted, manufacturers conceive matching products. (Matutes 234) This keeps the market competitive and allows consumers a broad choice of products that are guaranteed to be interoperable. If not for backward compatibility, every time a merchandise improved, it would be incompatible with the living infrastructure. Imagine buying a new spark plug for a three-year old car, only to find out you need a new car to use the plug. Backward compatibility has always been a characteristic of operating systems. If it weren't, every time a buyer installed a new operating system, new software would furthermore be required. Instead, most of our programs continues to work on the new system, even though it was conceived for an older functioning system. It takes numerous years for software or a preceding operating system to become legacy, giving the buyer plenty of time to upgrade. Backward compatibility in term of video games can be defined as a console video game system is backwards compatible to another console video game system if it can use original media from that system either with or without additional hardware or software supplied by the systems manufacturer. This strategy to let consumers use games of earlier systems on newer generation models has been a successful commercial strategy since the third generation of video games. Using a structural model of the US market for handheld game consoles, we illustrate that backward compatibility lets incumbents transfer network impressions from the old generation to the new to some extent but that it also reduces supply of new software. We also discuss the backward compatibility matters most shortly after the introduction of a new generation. Finally, we examine the tradeoff between technological advancement and backward compatibility and find that backward compatibility matters less if there is a large technological leap between two generations.(Matutes 234)

Discussion and Analysis

With the Xbox 360 getting more and more popular, more and more new exciting games will be coming out of the market. Gamers will be able to play more exciting as well as more visually amazing sport on their game console. But some gamers may still miss playing some of their favorite games in the past that run on older Xbox forms. In alignment to permit gamers to play their past favorites on their new Xbox 360, developers of the game console has made backward  compatibility as part of the newer model's various stimulating features. (Farrell 210)

Xbox 360 Backward compatibility is accomplished through programs emulation of the original Xbox game console. Emulated sport make it likely for older Xbox sport to be performed in your new Xbox 360 game console. Doing so would allow the gamer with a couple of benefits on the ...