Two years in, Microsoft may be losing the next-generation console wars in most respects, but the company is about to introduce a new feature that may make the Xbox One more appealing to gamers.

Microsoft announced this week that the Windows 10 software update -- which finally brings backwards-compatibility for older Xbox 360 games to the Xbox One -- will have a released date of Nov. 12.

The company made the announcement through the @Xbox Twitter account, promising a new Xbox One experience coming Nov. 12:

All Xbox One consoles will be able to play Xbox 360 after the update hits, which comes as a larger upgrade to the console's system software, based on Windows 10. The operating system update promises to bring a less confusing interface and a prettier, more customizable home screen thanks to the UI improvements Microsoft has introduced in Windows 10.

The update will also add the Cortana voice-recognition assistant software, bringing the famous Halo character back to her (next-generation) origins.

For Xbox fans, especially fans of older Xbox 360 games that have been frustrated by the Xbox One's lack of compatibility, this is great news. However, there's a catch: the first wave of compatible Xbox 360 games available same-day as the update is rather small.

Yes, there are some great, classic AAA titles on the list, like Gears of War, Mass Effect, and Perfect Dark, as well as some cult indie hits like Geometry Wars Evolved and Super Meat Boy. But the list only comprises 23 of the 100 games Microsoft has promised will be available to start, though according to Ars Technica, the company has promised hundreds of games coming in the future.

But with that catch comes a nice bonus that belies the DRM-crazy attitude many gamers attribute to the Xbox consoles. Gamers that already own old Xbox 360 games that are backwards-compatible won't have to buy the games again.

If the games were purchased on Xbox Live, all they have to do is log in and re-download the titles without paying anything more. And if they own the game on a disc, they can download the title and pop the disk in. The Xbox One will check the disc and then gamers are good to go.

Meanwhile, PlayStation offers a more limited form of backwards compatibility through the PlayStation Now service, which allows players to stream PS3 classics they own from the PlayStation cloud on their PlayStation 4 consoles for a subscription fee.

Do you think the Xbox One will becoming more of a deal after the Nov. 12 update? Or are you still squarely in Sony's corner? Let us know in the comments!