Xbox One won't support the downloadable titles so people need to keep their Xbox 360s

Jun 3, 2013 10:52 GMT  ·  By

Xbox 360 owners who are thinking about trading in their console for the upcoming Xbox One next-gen device should consider keeping it.

Microsoft has confirmed that downloadable games from the Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA) will only be playable on the Xbox 360.

The Xbox One was revealed last month and, much to the disappointment of gamers, the next-gen console isn't backwards compatible, meaning it won't play Xbox 360 games.

In order to answer any lingering questions about downloadable XBLA titles and the Xbox One, Microsoft's Phil Spencer told GameSpot that the new console won't support downloadable games made for the Xbox 360.

"Those games will continue to run on your Xbox 360 for as long as your Xbox 360 runs," he said. "The box is not backward compatible and we think for somebody who invests in a large digital library that you want to keep your [Xbox 360]. Keep that as a vibrant part of the ecosystem."

Microsoft's advice could also be a strategy to keep the Xbox 360 relevant and to prevent owners from trading in the console in order to get the Xbox One at a lower price.