During E3 2013, Sony released a tongue-in-cheek video that poked fun at Microsoft for its (since-reversed) used game policy. Now, two years later, Microsoft appears to have responded with its own little jab.
The Xbox UK team released the video above this week to mark the release of backwards compatibility support on Xbox One. It provides an overview of how support for Xbox 360 games on Xbox One works now that the New Xbox One Experience update has arrived. Sony is never mentioned by name, but this very much appears to be a reaction to Sony’s own video from two years ago.
That video (re-watch it below), depicted Sony bosses Shuhei Yoshida and Adam Boyes explaining how PlayStation 4 owners could share their games. Yoshida hands a game to Boyes and that’s it. The Xbox One video uses the same “Step One” format and shows the host simply popping in an Xbox 360 disc into the Xbox One and smiling into the camera.
Both videos are not meant to be taken very seriously and more opportunistic than anything.
But whatever the case, the Xbox One offers backwards compatibility and the PlayStation 4 does not (outside of the PlayStation Now streaming service). For its part, Microsoft has said backwards compatibility should help boost Xbox One sales this year, as it was the number one most-requested feature among Xbox 360 owners who had not yet upgraded to Xbox One.
The Xbox One is already gaining momentum, too, as the console outsold the PS4 in the United States during October, success that was likely fueled in part by the release of Halo 5: Guardians.
For lots more on Xbox One backwards compatibility and the New Xbox One Experience, check out GameSpot’s interview with Microsoft’s Mike Nichols.