Microsoft releases details on Xbox Series X/S backward compatibility, promises double frame rates and more

Dimapur, Oct. 13 (EMN): Microsoft has just released the performance details on the Xbox Series X/S backward compatibility and it seems like it hits all the right notes.

There seems to be still some confusion regarding how Xbox Series X/S approach to backward compatibility will be as opposed to the PlayStation 5’s approach to the same problem. However, a blog post on the official Xbox website earlier today gives us a much clearer picture of how Microsoft wants to take things to the next level.

In the blog post, Xbox’s Compatibility Program Lead, Peggy Lo wrote, “Backward compatible games run natively on the Xbox Series X and S, running with the full power of the CPU, GPU and SSD. No boost mode, no downclocking, the full power of the consoles for each and every backward compatible game. This means that all titles run at the peak performance that they were originally designed for, with significantly higher performance than their original launch platform, resulting in higher and steadier frame rates and rendering at their maximum resolution and visual quality.”

Auto high dynamic range (HDR)

Microsoft has confirmed that the Xbox Series X and Series S will have a new feature named Auto HDR. The Auto HDR feature aims to improve the visual quality of games that came before HDR was introduced.

“Modern games often implement HDR to improve overall visual quality. HDR allows a game to render a much larger range of brightness values and colours. This gives an extra sense of richness and depth to the image when compared to a standard dynamic range (SDR) image,” Lo wrote.

Lo explains further, “Auto HDR automatically adds HDR enhancements to games which only shipped with SDR. Auto HDR enhances the visual quality of an SDR game without changing the original artistic intent of the game. Auto HDR is implemented by the system so developers don’t have to do any work to take advantage of this feature. Also, since Auto HDR is enabled by the console’s hardware, there is absolutely no performance cost to the CPU, GPU or memory and there is no additional latency added ensuring you receive the ultimate gaming experience.”

Look at the images below for a side-by-side comparison:

Double frame rates and enhanced visuals

With an improved CPU, GPU and memory, the new Xbox Series X/S will deliver a better gaming experience than previous iterations. This means that older games will feel smoother and if this Fallout 4 demonstration is any indication, then 60 FPS game play for older titles is most welcome.

Additionally, Xbox has confirmed that games that run on 360p on the original Xbox, and 720p on the Xbox 360, will run at 1440p on the Xbox Series S, and 4K on the Xbox Series X. Improved texture filtering is also coming to backward compatible titles on both Xbox Series X and Series S.

However, it should be noted that the doubled frame rate feature is only applicable to a select number of titles.

Lo explains, “In addition, however, the backward compatibility team has developed new methods for effectively doubling the frame rate on select titles. While not applicable for many titles due to the game’s original physics or animations, these new techniques the team has developed can push game engines to render more quickly for a buttery smooth experience beyond what the original game might have delivered due to the capabilities of the hardware.”

Difference between Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5

The difference between Xbox and PlayStation 5’s approach to backwards compatibility is this: PlayStation 5’s approach is focused on PlayStation 4 titles whereas Xbox will span across four generations of Xbox.

As Lo puts it, “The backward compatibility team has been working hard to make all the games you love and remember available to you on Xbox Series X and Series S. Playing the games will be just as easy and magical as it’s always been. Simply insert your favourite backward compatible Xbox One, Xbox 360 or original Xbox disc into your Xbox Series X, install the game and you’ll be ready to play. Your digital library will instantly appear and ready for download on the console when you sign in. If you’ve already installed your games to an external drive, you can bring that with you to the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. This all happens with no additional cost to you. And, with cloud saves, you’ll jump right back in where you left off.  For those of you still enjoying Xbox 360, cloud saves will soon be free to all Xbox 360 users, making transferring your favourite games to Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S even easier.”