An interesting opinion from a NPD Analyst about backward compatibility

Xbox One backward compatibility already boosting 360 game sales

JEFF GRUBB AUGUST 14, 2015 10:35 AM

Backward compatibility with the Xbox 360 is one of the big ways Microsoft is trying to set the Xbox One apart from the competition, and it is already making a difference at retail.

While Sony proudly announced that the PlayStation 4 led July in terms of software sales (according to industry-tracking firm The NPD Group), it turns out that the Xbox One wasn’t No. 2 like you would expect. Instead, it was Microsoft’s older Xbox 360 platform was second in game sales in July.

Now, you could see this as the Xbox One falling behind its predecessor in the $13 billion U.S. gaming market, but both PS4 and Xbox One had a dearth of interesting new releases (Rory Mcilroy PGA Tour was the only triple-A release). In light of this, it’s possible this was just one negative aberration for the Xbox One.

But NPD analyst Liam Callahan has a different theory. He suggests that Xbox One didn’t perform poorly and that Xbox 360 games were abnormally strong and for a good reason.

“On a unit basis, 360 was the second-highest selling platform for new physical software sales after the PS4,” Callahan said in a comment provided to GamesBeat. “Besides [that] this was a light month for launches that typically favor [the new] platforms, one reason for the stronger 360 sales may have been the news of backward compatibility for the Xbox One coming out of E3.”

July was the first full month after Microsoft announced it was bringing Xbox 360 backward compatibility to the Xbox One. That feature is currently in beta, and it works for people who are in the Xbox One Preview Program. It goes live for everyone else in November with more than 100 compatible games. Microsoft plans to add more 360 games to the Xbox One library each month after that.

For now, this means that some Xbox One owners are potentially going to retail to pick up some Xbox 360 releases to enjoy on their newer hardware. At the same time, Xbox 360 owners who are preparing to make the leap to the Xbox One in the near future might also feel better about buying games for their aging consoles.

“Consumers may have felt safer buying 360 games knowing that they will be able to play them on Xbox One if they choose to upgrade,” said Callahan.

We’ve reached out to Microsoft for a comment on this, and we’ll update this story with any new information.

Aaron Greenberg tweeted earlier today that he will watch some bullfight in San Sebastian an deleted it after he got some hate for it. Don't these people think about what they post before posting it? I mean, was he really surprised that some people won't like that he will watch how bulls will get killed for the amusement of people regardless of what he thinks about it?

It's banned in many countries, how didn't he think about that^^

Wow, Halo 5 is gaining momentum in the Amazon hourly charts. It is currently at #15 from #44 and was somewhere in the 80's just a few days ago. The momentum will increase close to launch.

Didn't know that the Fifa and Madden bundles include one year EA access.
That is an attractive bundle for $400.
You get Madden, Dragon Age, TitanFall, Plants vs Zombies, Need for Speed, Battlefield 4 (and potentially Hardline), and other sports games. You can spend the next three to four months without buying a game!

interesting thoughts

Be The Playmaker before the game is out! Members get the #Madden16 10-Hour trial starting Aug. 20. http://t.co/uIhmRRVtS5

— EA Play (@EAPlay) August 13, 2015

Wow, the site was down for so long today :O