Question about preserving xbox downloadable content/games for history

I don't know anything about the xbox 360 except that there are a lot of cool games for the system - both in physical media and as download only titles from xbox live. One thing is bugging me from a historical preservation standpoint though.

I did a little searching but didn't find any clear answers - is it possible to backup the downloadable content or download only games such that the content can be available to future xbox 360 users who get into the system down the line as a "retro" console? This seems like even more of a significant concern now that the latest xbox is suggested to not be backwards compatible with xbox 360.

Is it going to be possible to obtain a copy of a game like Braid or Radiant Silvergun or Rez 10 or 15 years from now for play and use on the 360? Or are there significant restrictions such that once live support for the 360 is gone, there will essentially be no chance to load and play these titles on a 360 system?

 

There are a large community of people who keep a 100% up-to-date archive of all XBLA games so I don't have any worries that they will be scarce in the future. With the ever decreasing prices of large capacities hard drives , more and more people can keep full or large parts of the library on their personal computers.

 

They can be preserved however you'll only be able to use them with a modded system. In terms of discs it's the same deal only you can also just have a modded disc drive.

 

This is true, but modding always advances past when the developer supports the console so it won't be hard to get a modded 360 in the future. Look at the OG xbox for example. You can softmod any model in a few simple steps if you have an old computer kicking around or just buy one from a mod shop. The 360 mod scene was just blessed with new exploits too and they can run on ALL consoles so modded 360's should be easily available for the rest of forever

 

It is stupid easy to do so.

1) Hook Xbox 360 hard drive to PC.
2) Copy game from content folder.

To play on a 360 you reverse the process.

You can also burn the content folder to a DVD-R and play that way (on a stock, unmodded system) if you like tho data access will be slower.

XBLA games used this way will function as full version on their originally licensed system and trials on other systems.

On a JTAG or RGH system, you can obviously convert the trial data to full version.

 

I defineately think a Jtag or RGH system is the best for preserving DLC. No need to worry about XBL going down for the rest of the years.

 

Piracy will be the only way to protect our culture for the future.

XBL will likely be available for 360 titles for at least another 4-5 years after the XBone is released. After that I wouldn't begin to bank on it.

 

Yeah, and with Underground Gamer out of the question it's certainly a nervous future to me...