Xbox One Backwards Compatibility Game ‘Left 4 Dead 2’ Leaked? Microsoft Revamps Release Cycle

Some enterprising gamers are finding ways to access titles that can be played through Microsoft's Xbox One backwards compatibility feature even before their official release date.

Reddit user Apherix recently created a buzz when he shared an image of the widely-popular zombie shooter "Left 4 Dead 2" that was installed on a friend's Xbox One console, according to the Inquistr.

Twitter user Kyle Rosenthal (@Krose7298) later confirmed that the "leaked" Xbox 360 title was indeed available when he shared pictures showing that the game was posted on the Xbox Store. 

As it turns out, those who have already purchased a digital copy of "Left 4 Dead 2" and other titles can "trick" the Xbox Store into displaying games that can be played via the Xbox One backward compatibility update.

Apherix, in fact, explained in Reddit how other gamers can find "Left 4 Dead 2" using his gamertag.

Using their Xbox One consoles, players just have to search for his name online to view his profile.  

By selecting "Following," they will see the gamertags and games Apherix is following which includes "Left 4 Dead 2."  

After choosing the game, users will be taken to the title's page.   Selecting the "Launch game" and "See in store" options will then bring them to the Xbox Store page where the game can be installed if it has already been purchased.

The upcoming official release of "Left 4 Dead 2" via the Xbox One backwards compatibility feature didn't come as a surprise,  as it was preceded by other Valve titles such as "Portal 2: Still Alive" and "Counter-Strike: GO."

Meanwhile, Microsoft announced through its official Xbox Wire Blog that it will no longer be rolling out games in batches every month as it had done previously but instead release them as they are ready. http://news.xbox.com/2016/01/21/xbox-one-backward-compatibility-january/

"Based on your feedback, the Xbox Engineering team will start to pilot a new way to launch Xbox One Backward Compatibility titles," the company explained in its post. 

"Starting today, we'll release titles as they become available, rather than a set monthly launch date," the post said.

The Xbox One backwards compatibility feature has been a big hit among gamers, and is expected to gain more followers as Microsoft announces its next batch of titles in the coming weeks.