At the beginning of the year, Xbox head Phil Spencer noted that January would be a "pretty good" month for the backward compatibility program on the Xbox One. Spencer wasn't lying either, the backward compatibility was hit with a number of new games nearly every week.
Over the last two months, the backward compatibility program has been hit with a ton of releases, with a number games highlighting the program like Tekken 6, Battlefield 3, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Dragon Age: Origins, GTA IV, Borderlands 2, Assassin's Creed Rogue and more.
Even with the release of major games, the community is still clamoring for a number of games, specifically Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. Phil Spencer has commented on the game quite a bit, as fans have been repeatedly asking him when it will release.
Now, the head of the backward compatibility program, Bill Stillwell, has made a statement on the state of the program. In his statement, he explains the "lull" in releases lately and addresses the lack of Black Ops 2.
Additionally, Stillwell confirmed that there are no backward compatibility releases today, but teased the "week isn't over."
I've typed up the full response below for anyone who is unable to see the image or read it, however, the image can be found on Stillwell's Twitter account:
Twitter is a great medium, but often hard to use to properly answer a complex topic. Lately, there has ben another surge in the "We want BOII!!!" tweets. With lots of continued angst and concern over why there is no answer. Combined with the lull in releases for BC overall, I wanted to give more context directly, hence this "wordy" reply.
First, it is important to remember that BX releases have always ebbed and flowed. Just like the industry, some months are loaded, and other are pretty light. We are still 100% committed to the program. I expect big releases in the near future. But unlike the holiday season, big bi-weekly releases of titles are unlikely to happen each and every month.
Yes, I know the upcoming titles, what issues we have with each one (technical or not), and the runway before they launch. I'm still very confident in this year's plan, and that we'll see happy customers in the future. Beyond that, it is not my place to communicate those plans. Especially when it involves someone else's IP.
Releasing a big/popular game, even as a rerelease into the BC program, is a heavily orchestrated event.Publishers often have target dates that coincide with other initiatives, such as sales, or related titles, and they want to maximize release. We also have long-term business relationships and want them to continue to deliver great new games to the console for many years. It makes no sense to jeopardize that business relationship for a short term boost.
Additionally, I can't understate the complexity of the non-technical part of this. We are in some cases reviewing license agreements that are over a decade old, evaluating the impact of new technology on those agreements, and then negotiating with a host of other parties for terms to get renewed/changed. This is not a quick process most times.
Finally, I do appreciate the well-wishers. I also have no problem with the continued asks. We've been doing this for over a year and a half, and it's been a constant stream of "Where's RDR.. Black Ops… Skate 3… BOII…" and so on. And if and when Black Ops II ships, I'm sure there will be another title to take that crown. We even have a pool internally! 🙂 This is all goodness. I have said many times that I'd much rather work on a project with passionate fans, even if it trends to the annoying at times, than work on something no one cares about. The day no one is clamoring for a game is the day this program is no longer of value!
I'm not going to tell you when BOII is coming. Or Fable, or Halo, or any other game not yet released. I'm not going to tell you that a title is in or out, as those are confidential publisher decisions I am not authorized to reveal. I will just say that we in the program want these games out as much as you do, and are working hard to make them happen. I'd prefer that the entire 360 catalog was already running the Xbox One with no exceptions, And this team will continue to move towards making that a reality as long as we can.
TL;DR: Stillwell appreciates your passion for games, even if it's borderline annoying. Games currently making the transition to the backward compatibility will not be revealed ahead of time, because of NDAs and because sometimes the reviewing process (licenses) can take a long time. Basically, he did not confirm, nor deny the release of any anticipated game, appreciates the passion, but also wants patience.
Oh, and the program is working on getting new games added – it just takes time.
