I told you all way back that MS would try and position the Scorpio as a next gen console and one of the 'clues' I spotted in order to draw that conclusion was the use of the words 'backwards compatible'. These were used in order to pave the way for a 'next gen' narrative. Here's a comment from GAF by the Ori dev:
'Scorpio is a next gen machine with the added benefit that all your old games will still be compatible'
Can it get any clearer than that? It's not MS saying this but you can bet your life it's MS pulling the strings here. Also note for future reference, the use of the word 'machine', an odd choice given the subject matter and the thread it was posted in. This is another plant, a 'control' word if you will. This gives MS leeway in both the PC and console space and allows them to slowly move to a Windows based narrative because the 'service' is now the focus not the delivery point.
'I guess since Neogaf is confused, Microsoft will have to do a little work to make it clear to everyone that Scorpio isn't just an half-assed upgrade (which PS4 Pro kind is) but a full blown next gen console that's just backwards compatible to your current library'
Here he's doubling down hard on the next gen messaging and subliminally suggesting GAF should start calling it such. He emphasises it's so called next gen credentials by calling the PS4Pro a 'half-assed upgrade'. Some may see that as merely a dig but it's not, it's yet another comment fortifying the next gen messaging. And AGAIN the use of 'backwards compatible'.
MS are hoping the industry, forums and fans will spread that messaging and so create the illusion the Scorpio is the launch of a new generation, something that is more or less guaranteed to create a huge sales spike, especially from the uneducated gamers who only pick that messaging up on social media without understanding the implications or looking into the specs.
This is why we can't call the sales yet. Forum users are once again thinking they represent the larger portion of the industry and so are judging the Scorpios success from a knowledgeable standpoint. MS are going to try and pull the wool over people's eyes when the Scorpio launches and who knows, perhaps it could work. I wouldn't be surprised to see MS release sales figures of the Scorpio later on because they'll know the media and forum users will separate it from the XB1 and see it as next gen. Here MS can garner some kind of victory without actually mentioning directly that the Scorpio is just an extension of the XB1, and it would give them a free run in the versus game.
The PS5 Exists.
