Once Activision-Blizzard closes, could we possibly see the re-return of Backward Compatibility?

Gaming
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At the Xbox 20th Anniversary event we were told that the Xbox backward compatibility program would be halting once again with a final batch of games as the team had reached the legal limit of what they could do with the service among others.

However, once Activision Blizzard acquisition closes , Microsoft gains an incredible wealth of IP that could possibly open the doors again for more titles to enter into backwards compatibility.

Here’s just a sampling of OG Xbox Games / Xbox 360 games across Activision - Blizzard / Vivendi Universal

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2x Xbox November 12, 2001 Treyarch [34]
Wreckless: The Yakuza Missions Xbox February 6, 2002 Bunkasha Games
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 Xbox March 5, 2002 Neversoft [40]
Spider-Man Xbox April 16, 2002 Treyarch
Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX 2 Xbox August 13, 2002 Rainbow Studios [46]
Street Hoops Xbox August 13, 2002 Black Ops Entertainment [47]
Blade II Xbox September 3, 2002 Mucky Foot Productions [48]
Kelly Slater’s Pro Surfer Xbox September 17, 2002 Treyarch
Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4 Xbox October 23, 2002 Neversoft
X-Men: Next Dimension Xbox October 29, 2002 Paradox Development
Rally Fusion: Race of Champions Xbox November 12, 2002 Climax Studios [51]
Minority Report: Everybody Runs Xbox November 19, 2002 Treyarch
Return to Castle Wolfenstein: Tides of War Xbox May 6, 2003 Gray Matter Interactive / Threewave Software [53]
Wakeboarding Unleashed Featuring Shaun Murray Xbox June 3, 2003 Shaba Games [57]
Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix Xbox July 17, 2003 Gratuitous Games [59]
Disney’s Extreme Skate Adventure Xbox September 3, 2003 Toys for Bob [60]
Tony Hawk’s Underground Xbox October 28, 2003 Neversoft [62]
True Crime: Streets of LA Xbox November 4, 2003 Luxoflux [64]
Pitfall: The Lost Expedition Xbox February 18, 2004 Edge of Reality [65]
MTX Mototrax Xbox March 3, 2004 Left Field Productions / Shaba Games [66]
Tenchu: Return from Darkness Xbox March 9, 2004 Prosoft [67]
Shrek 2 Xbox May 4, 2004 Luxoflux [68]
Spider-Man 2 Xbox June 29, 2004 Treyarch
X-Men: Legends Xbox September 21, 2004 Raven Software [71]
Shark Tale Xbox September 27, 2004 Edge of Reality
Tony Hawk’s Underground 2 Xbox October 4, 2004 Neversoft
Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events Xbox November 9, 2004 Adrenium Games
Call of Duty: Finest Hour Xbox November 16, 2004 Spark Unlimited / Kuju Surrey [73]
Doom 3 Xbox April 5, 2005 Vicarious Visions
Madagascar Xbox May 23, 2005 Toys for Bob [77]
Fantastic 4 Xbox June 28, 2005 7 Studios [78]
World Series of Poker Xbox August 31, 2005 Left Field Productions [79]
Cabela’s Outdoor Adventures Xbox September 14, 2005 Fun Labs
X-Men: Legends II - Rise of Apocalypse Xbox September 21, 2005 Raven Software / SuperVillain Studios
Ultimate Spider-Man Xbox September 22, 2005 Treyarch [80]
Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 3: Night of the Quinkan Xbox October 11, 2005 Krome Studios
Greg Hastings’ Tournament Paintball Max’d Xbox October 18, 2005 WXP
Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland Xbox October 18, 2005 Neversoft
Shrek SuperSlam Xbox October 25, 2005 Shaba Games [84]
Call of Duty 2: Big Red One Xbox November 1, 2005 Treyarch / High Voltage Software [85]
Shamu’s Deep Sea Adventures Xbox November 1, 2005 Sand Grain Studios
Gun Xbox November 8, 2005 SuperVillain Studios [86]
True Crime: New York City Xbox November 16, 2005 Exakt Entertainment [88]
Over the Hedge Xbox May 9, 2006 Edge of Reality
X-Men: The Official Game Xbox May 16, 2006 Z-Axis
Marvel Ultimate Alliance Xbox October 24, 2006 Raven Software
Call of Duty 3 Xbox November 7, 2006 Treyarch / Pi Studios
Tony Hawk’s Project 8 Xbox November 7, 2006 Shaba Games
Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland Xbox 360 November 14, 2005 Neversoft / Shaba Games / SuperVillain Studios
Gun Xbox 360 November 17, 2005 Neversoft / Shaba Games
Call of Duty 2 Xbox 360 November 22, 2005 Infinity Ward / Pi Studios
Quake 4 Xbox 360 November 22, 2005 Raven Software / Id Software [89]
X-Men: The Official Game Xbox 360 May 16, 2006 Z-Axis
Marvel Ultimate Alliance Xbox 360 October 24, 2006 Raven Software
Call of Duty 3 Xbox 360 November 7, 2006 Treyarch / Pi Studios
Tony Hawk’s Project 8 Xbox 360 November 7, 2006 Neversoft
MTV Pimp My Ride Xbox 360 November 21, 2006 Eutechnyx
Guitar Hero II Xbox 360 April 3, 2007 Harmonix [93]
Spider-Man 3 Xbox 360 May 4, 2007 Treyarch
Shrek the Third Xbox 360 May 15, 2007 Amaze Entertainment / 7 Studios / Shaba Games
Transformers: The Game Xbox 360 June 26, 2007 Traveller’s Tales [94]
Hot Wheels: Beat That! Xbox 360 September 25, 2007 Eutechnyx
Spider-Man: Friend or Foe Xbox 360 October 2, 2007 Next Level Games
Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground Xbox 360 October 16, 2007 Neversoft [96]
Bee Movie Game Xbox 360 October 22, 2007 Beenox
Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Xbox 360 October 28, 2007 Neversoft
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Xbox 360 November 5, 2007 Infinity Ward / Demonware [99]
Cabela’s Big Game Hunter Xbox 360 November 8, 2007 Fun Labs
Soldier of Fortune: Payback Xbox 360 November 13, 2007 Cauldron
Enemy Territory: Quake Wars Xbox 360 May 27, 2008 Nerve Software
Kung Fu Panda Xbox 360 June 3, 2008 Luxoflux / XPEC Entertainment
Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Xbox 360 June 29, 2008 Neversoft
Cabela’s Dangerous Hunts 2009 Xbox 360 September 23, 2008 Fun Labs
Rapala’s Fishing Frenzy Xbox 360 October 17, 2008 Sand Grain Studios
Spider-Man: Web of Shadows Xbox 360 October 21, 2008 Shaba Games / Treyarch
Guitar Hero: World Tour Xbox 360 October 26, 2008 Neversoft
Score International Baja 1000 Xbox 360 October 28, 2008 Left Field Productions
007: Quantum of Solace Xbox 360 November 4, 2008 Treyarch / Nerve Software [102]
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa Xbox 360 November 4, 2008 Toys for Bob / Underground Development
Call of Duty: World at War Xbox 360 November 11, 2008 Treyarch / Arkane Studios / Certain Affinity / Pi Studios / Spov
NPPL Championship Paintball 2009 Xbox 360 November 18, 2008 Fun Labs
Monsters vs. Aliens Xbox 360 March 24, 2009 Beenox
Guitar Hero: Metallica Xbox 360 March 29, 2009 Neversoft
X-Men Origins: Wolverine - Uncaged Edition Xbox 360 May 1, 2009 Raven Software
Prototype Xbox 360 June 9, 2009 Radical Entertainment [107]
Guitar Hero Smash Hits Xbox 360 June 16, 2009 Beenox
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Xbox 360 June 23, 2009 Luxoflux / 7 Studios / Spov
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs Xbox 360 June 30, 2009 Eurocom
Wolfenstein Xbox 360 August 18, 2009 Raven Software / Endrant Studios / Pi Studios / Threewave Software / Underground Development [108]
Guitar Hero 5 Xbox 360 September 1, 2009 Budcat Creations
Cabela’s Outdoor Adventures Xbox 360 September 8, 2009 Fun Labs
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 Xbox 360 September 15, 2009 Vicarious Visions
Cabela’s Big Game Hunter 2010 Xbox 360 September 29, 2009 Cauldron
DJ Hero Xbox 360 October 27, 2009 FreeStyleGames
Madagascar: Kartz Xbox 360 October 27, 2009 Sidhe Interactive
Band Hero Xbox 360 November 3, 2009 Neversoft
Jurassic: The Hunted Xbox 360 November 3, 2009 Cauldron
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Xbox 360 November 10, 2009 Infinity Ward [109]
Chaotic: Shadow Warriors Xbox 360 November 17, 2009 Sand Grain Studios
Tony Hawk: Ride Xbox 360 November 17, 2009 Robomodo
Guitar Hero: Van Halen Xbox 360 December 22, 2009 Underground Development
The Ultimate Doom Xbox Live Arcade September 27, 2006 Nerve Software
Shrek-N-Roll Xbox Live Arcade November 14, 2007 Backbone Entertainment
Golf: Tee It Up! Xbox Live Arcade July 9, 2008 Housemarque
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2 Xbox Live Arcade July 30, 2008 Bizarre Creations [100]
Vigilante 8: Arcade Xbox Live Arcade November 5, 2008 Isopod Labs [103]
Wolfenstein 3D Xbox Live Arcade June 3, 2009 Nerve Software [106]
Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex Xbox April 26, 2002 Traveller’s Tales Universal Interactive
— — — — —
Bruce Lee: Quest of the Dragon Xbox July 2, 2002 Ronin Entertainment Universal Interactive
The Thing Xbox September 10, 2002 Computer Artworks Black Label Games
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Xbox September 24, 2002 WXP Black Label Games
Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis Xbox March 26, 2003 Blue Tongue Entertainment Universal Interactive
Hulk Xbox May 28, 2003 Radical Entertainment Universal Interactive
Mace Griffin: Bounty Hunter Xbox June 17, 2003 Warthog Games Black Label Games
Futurama Xbox August 12, 2003 Unique Development Vivendi Universal Games
Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds Xbox August 26, 2003 Eurocom Vivendi Universal Games
The Simpsons: Hit & Run Xbox September 16, 2003 Radical Entertainment Vivendi Universal Games
Hunter: The Reckoning – Redeemer Xbox October 28, 2003 High Voltage Software Vivendi Universal Games
Barbie Horse Adventures: Wild Horse Rescue Xbox November 4, 2003 Blitz Games Vivendi Universal Games
Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat Xbox November 4, 2003 Magenta Software Vivendi Universal Games
Crash Nitro Kart Xbox November 11, 2003 Vicarious Visions / Driver-Inter Universal Interactive
Battlestar Galactica Xbox November 15, 2003 Warthog Games Universal Interactive
Van Helsing Xbox May 6, 2004 Saffire Vivendi Universal Games
The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay Xbox June 1, 2004 Starbreeze Studios Vivendi Universal Games
Crash Twinsanity Xbox September 28, 2004 Traveller’s Tales Vivendi Universal Games
Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude Xbox October 5, 2004 High Voltage Software Vivendi Universal Games
Men of Valor Xbox October 7, 2004 2015 Vivendi Universal Games
The Bard’s Tale Xbox October 26, 2004 InXile Entertainment Vivendi Universal Games
Spyro: A Hero’s Tail Xbox November 3, 2004 Eurocom Vivendi Universal Games
Fight Club Xbox November 16, 2004 Genuine Games / Visual Sciences Vivendi Universal Games
Robots Xbox March 7, 2005 Eurocom Vivendi Universal Games
Red Ninja: End of Honor Xbox March 30, 2005 Tranji Studio Vivendi Universal Games
Predator: Concrete Jungle Xbox April 26, 2005 Eurocom Vivendi Universal Games
FlatOut Xbox July 12, 2005 Bugbear Entertainment Vivendi Universal Games
The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction Xbox August 23, 2005 Radical Entertainment Vivendi Universal Games
50 Cent: Bulletproof Xbox November 17, 2005 Genuine Games Vivendi Universal Games
Eragon Xbox November 14, 2006 Stormfront Studios Vivendi Games
Bass Pro Shops: Trophy Hunter 2007 Xbox November 17, 2006 Jarhead Games Vivendi Games
Bass Pro Shops: Trophy Bass 2007 Xbox 2006 Big John Games Vivendi Games
F.E.A.R. Xbox 360 October 31, 2006 Day 1 Studios Vivendi Games
Eragon Xbox 360 November 14, 2006 Stormfront Studios Vivendi Games

Now some of these are already BC, and yes some of the licensed games may never come BC, but for some of them there HAS to be a chance right?

I mean Crash, Spyro on Xbox and Xbox 360, one or two Tony Hawk games, the OG Xbox Call of Dutys…

There has to be a batch in there somewhere among all the licensed stuff.

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Of course, we can’t forget:

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I was going to say that they probably wont because it’s not worth going back for it after being so definitive in the last batch being final

But blimey that’s a lot of games, obviously a fair amount are licensed and boy would I love to have easy access to Spiderman 2 (still the best spiderman game) and Hit & Run even if you can emulate them on Series with Retroarch

But there definitely seems to be quite a few there that they could get

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This needs a remaster! (But fix the whole last worlds unnecessary time crunch)

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Yes I think it will return. Part of the value of the acquisition is the back catalog going to Gamepass. They will squeeze every bit they can.

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I was literally just thinking about Simpsons hit and run :laughing: Yes Xbox needs to get this done. This list is insane.

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Yss there’s so many Activision games that could be on the service. I doubt something like The Simpsons Hit and Run could happen though.

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I’ll just repost this old image that Microsoft took down.

I made a whole Reddit thread and everything on it years ago, but not long afterwards the image suddenly disappeared.

As you can see, Wolfenstein 2009 (as well as a couple other games never made BC) are on there.

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One can only hope more original Xbox games games get added to BC and while there at it throw some up on Game Pass too.

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Is Gun BC?

cuz that game was fire and needs to be BC if not already.

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i hope they reevaluate some of these OG Xbox and 360 games in 2023. And make use of Activisions immense back catalog. Give me all Space Quest games on Game Pass and i will subscribe forever!

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I dont think we will.

Here’s the thing. Jason already said they tried “all” games and if they arent already in its because they either dont work or they have licensing issues. I highly doubt Activision were such a-holes to block being able to gain money from a port they werent even doing themselves(considering we literally have their COD games on BC), so the most likely scenario here is that this games dont work for some reason. WIIIIIIIIIIIIIICH I find hard to believe. There’s no reason why this games wouldnt work even at original resolution and framerate unless their emulator is just completely broken.

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EA made the extra effort to make Burnout, Skate, Fight Night backwards compatible. EA needed games to fill their subscription service. licensing hurdles? Definitely. Microsoft just needs to put in a little effort.

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Return of the program as a whole? No. A selection of Activision games getting added? Sure.

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Between Xbox and Xbox 360 it could be a huge selection.

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