Microsoft has now revealed that the Xbox Series X will push game compatibility backwards.
Backward compatibility has been one of Microsoft's early commitments Xbox Series X. The console will play existing Xbox One games, as well as Xbox 360 and the original Xbox titles brought to Xbox One.
Microsoft confirms with Digital Foundry that Xbox Series X supports compatibility At the hardware level, A great improvement over the software emulation currently used on the Xbox One.
This way, older games can take advantage of the Xbox Series X Realize your full potential, Using 100% of its powerful CPU and GPU. In comparison, when running Xbox 360 and original Xbox games, the performance of the Xbox One X is limited to only 50% of the actual power. When you play older games on modern hardware, this can achieve a similar effect as on a PC.
All of these features can also be used for Xbox One games at the system level without any additional work by the original developer. Digital Foundry witnessed Gears of War: Ultimate Edition From 1080p on Xbox Series X to native 4K (2x upgrade). Games with unlocked frame rate mode will benefit a lot because there is enough room for them to reach a stable 60fps.
"Things we are considering include increasing the resolution of games, increasing the frame rate-possibly doubling them!" Said Peggy Lo, head of the compatibility program.
Backward compatible with HDR
Perhaps the most surprising finding in the Digital Foundry report is how Microsoft uses machine learning to make non-HDR, backward compatible games run in HDR on the Xbox Series X. The algorithm is based on Gears 5's own HDR technology, and can map part of different SDR images to HDR.
Unlike the existing fake HDR method, Microsoft's technology actually increases the peak brightness of all elements of the image, up to 1000 nits.
The company showed off Halo 5: Guardians and 20-year-old Fusion Frenzy both running in HDR on the Xbox Series X, though neither of them has a native HDR mode. This feature is available at the system level for all backward compatible games.
Claude Marais said: "In theory, it can be applied to all games, and technically I think we are still working through user experience and similar methods, but this is just a technical demonstration."
Learn what we know about the Xbox Series X in our big story.