Microsoft’s decision to not offer any kind of backwards compatibility with the Xbox One undoubtedly ruffled a few feathers. The decision is entirely understandable from a business perspective, but it has definitely left a bitter taste in the mouths of many users who will go to great lengths to try and “enable” compatibility with older Xbox 360 games, even if it means putting their console at risk. Larry Hryb – better known as Major Nelson to most – has taken to his official Twitter timeline to warn Xbox One users of the dangers involved in enabling the built-in developer mode on the console in the hope of playing those old games.
Those involved in the gaming community will have more than likely seen the image that is currently doing the rounds on the Internet. The relatively official looking “Xbox One Backwards Compatibility Unlock” leaflet is decked out in Xbox colors and even contains the official Xbox One branding and logo. The step-by-step guide on the image promises to walk Xbox One owners through the process of enabling the hidden compatibility mode on the console through the use of the native Developer Console. The six included steps may seem extremely easy, but the end result is entirely fictitious and can result in a bricked Xbox One console, something that Major Nelson is keen to reiterate:
To be clear there is no way to make your Xbox One backwards compatible & performing steps to attempt this could make your console inoperable.
The existence of the backwards compatibility mode is nothing more than a prankster’s dream, with the step-by-step guide existing only to trick users into rendering their console inoperable. Here’s the guide which has been doing the rounds, but we’re warning you: do not attempt to follow it at any cost! We will not be held responsible if you follow this guide and end up bricking your console.
It is however extremely curious to see that every Xbox One console that ships contains the relatively simple option of enabling the built-in developer kit mode. It’s extremely understandable that owners of Microsoft’s new console will cling onto any hope of playing those old 360 games on new hardware, no matter how small. It does seem a little strange for the Redmond company to have included the developer mode on each console, especially when you consider how easy it is to access.
Developer mode aside, it’s worth reiterating the backwards compatibility is nothing more than a dream. It’s time to embrace the next-generation of console gaming and look forward to the fantastic new titles that will be coming our way.
(Source: Major Nelson [Twitter])
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