SCEE explains loss of PS2 b/c for 40GB PS3
- Posted October 9th, 2007 at 04:10 EDT by Eric Blattberg
- 4,556 views
- 22 Comments
Many were surprised, even bewildered, to hear that the new 40GB model wouldn't offer any sort of backwards compatibility with past PlayStation titles. That's mostly true.
Nick Sharples, SCEE Director of Corporate Communications, spoke to Joystiq and shed some light on the subject.
"We have no plans to [offer emulation software as downloadable content] at the moment. The sheer numbers of PS2 titles available, together with the increased complexity of using a software only solution for each and every title means that to ensure accurate software emulation for the majority would be technically challenging, time consuming and costly," said Sharples.
"As we have mentioned on several occasions, our engineering resources are now focused on developing new and innovative features and services for the PS3 and, as a result the 40GB model does not have backwards compatibility with PS2 titles," he continued.
Fortunately, it was revealed that all PS3 consoles contain the necessary architecture allowing them to play PSone games, a factor no different with the 40GB model, explained Sharples.
"The PS3 has never been equipped with either the CPU or GPU that were used in the original PlayStation, and the backwards compatibility for PS one titles has therefore been made available through software emulation from the beginning. Therefore backwards compatibility for PS1 titles remains the same no matter how many times the model is changed.
"On the other hand, backwards compatibility for PS2 titles is largely made possible through the use of actual semiconductors, supported by the PS3 system software. The 20GB and 60GB PS3 models launched in Japan and the USA were equipped with both the PS2 Emotion Engine and Graphics Synthesiser chips and we could therefore guarantee over 90% backwards compatibility for PS2 titles.
"The 60GB model launched in Europe was a new model (shared with the 80GB model launched subsequently in USA) which contains only a modified version of the Graphics Synthesiser chip from the PS2 and not the Emotion Engine chip. The European launch model therefore used a combination of software and the modified version of the PS2 Graphics Synthesiser chip to deliver backwards compatibility for PS2 titles. As a result the percentage of backwards compatible PS2 titles was slightly reduced.
"The 40GB model, to be launched in Europe on 10th October, is a new model and is not equipped with any of the semi conductors from the PS2, and backwards compatibility would therefore have to be achieved by software emulation alone. The sheer numbers of PS2 titles available, together with the increased complexity of using a software only solution for each and every title means that to ensure accurate software emulation for the majority would be technically challenging, time consuming and costly. As we have mentioned on several occasions, our engineering resources are now focused on developing new and innovative features and services for the PS3 and, as a result the 40GB model does not have backwards compatibility with PS2 titles.
Lastly, Sharples reminded gamers that they could still purchase the 60GB model, which comes complete with full PlayStation and PlayStation 2 backwards compatibility. However, as reported yesterday, it is worth remembering that this is for a limited period only until the model is sold out.
"The current PS3 system software and future updates will continue to support backwards compatibility for the current 60GB and 80GB models.
"Keen gamers in Europe, for whom backwards compatibility is important, can still purchase the existing 60GB PS3 Starter Pack which contains an extra SIXAXIS controller, two first party titles and has extensive backwards compatibility with PS2 titles."
Comments
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humanputting
- 4:18am BST - October 9th, 2007
- 2
i dont know anyone that has a huge collection of ps2 games that they frequently go back to playing (besides me) all to busy playing awesome ps3 games. i can honostly understand why people are whining but they should just grab a nice cup of joe and look at it from sony's view.
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The Cleaner
- 5:26am BST - October 9th, 2007
- 3
Someone was suggesting on this forum that people should start to look at the PC for PS2 emulation. While we are at it, should we just use torrents to source any future PS2 games? It makes sense not to spend any money on PS2 games since it is a dead end right?
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Ryoma
- 5:36am BST - October 9th, 2007
- 4
i got about 15 ps2 games and my ps2 is a bit messed up, it takes 5-10min to load the game and then on some of my games like Getaway Black Monday is freezes, i would not buy this 40gb cos i still want to get a few ps2 games that i missed like star oceon which i new nothin about before, ill get the 60gb if it hasnt sold out when i get my 350GBP which will take awhile
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The Cleaner
- 5:40am BST - October 9th, 2007
- 6
Ryoma - Dont buy Star Ocean then - get emulation. I guess you Google "Star Ocean Torrent" then download - thats it. Sony is already basicly saying PS2 is over and there is no reason to support backward compatibility. If so - it would be silly to spend any money on PS2 stuff now. Sony are only really interested in PS3 games and while your waiting for good titles to show up you should not play games but instead you must enjoy Bluray movies. Thats what you really want to do - its just that you have not realised it yet. You want Bluray movies OK?
P.S Star Ocean: Till the End of Time is good by the way. It was released about 3 or 4 years ago and its a game I'll play through more than twice. I liked it as much as Dark Cloud & Dark Chronicle.
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richkaos |
richkaos- 6:54am BST - October 9th, 2007
- 7
Again this is a nice to have, I too still have my PS2 which I have now put back in its box and assigned to the loft. But since ive had my PS3 (since uk launch) I have only played GTA san adreas a couple of times, other than that its been PS3 games all the way. So i can understand why they are droping it.
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SolsticeZero |
SolsticeZero- 7:34am BST - October 9th, 2007
- 8
Not a problem for me. I bought my PS3 to play PS3 games and Blu-Rays. If I wanted to play PS2 games, I'd use my PS2. The only place I think people are losing out just a little bit is the fact that Final Fantasy XII looks beautiful upscaled to 1080p with the smoothing on.
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sony1978a |
Aked- 7:39am BST - October 9th, 2007
- 9
to me i dont care cus i have the 60 PS3 version and updated it to 160 gig :)
from day one wich costed me 1000$ Aus.Any way i have few PS1 and PS2 games but belive me i only plaed god of war 2 ones sens i got my PS3 on lunch day.so i thing its no big deal.we need more PS3 to be sold so that SONY can get back on track.ones thats done then they will bring out the 160 gig version with the 90mm chips or the 60mm ones what ever :)
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nuffmon |
Nuffmon- 8:20am BST - October 9th, 2007
- 10
No problem for as i have the 60GB already but i still think it is a mistake. I play GT4 all the time and GT5 isn't going to happen any time soon (prologue doesn't count). On top of that, i only want one console next my TV so i'd rather not have and PS2 and none wireless controls thank you. As i say, no problem for me but there must be many thinking the same.
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The Cleaner
- 10:18am BST - October 9th, 2007
- 11
I guess the strategy is to really cut off the PS2 user base as Sony doesnt need them. They can all go buy a Wii for all we care. Sony isnt interested in any old games - it's actually good that Fatal Frame, Ace Combat, Devil May Cry are on Xbox 360 because Sony is not interested in that sort of stuff. Who cares that Assasins Creed broke their exclusive and Epic are breaking the UT3 release. Who cares that the latest Burnout series wont be on PS3 at all. PS3 users love Bluray movies and thats all they need. A few games from time to time sure but not so much that we have no time to watch Bluray movies. Its all about Bluray - thats it. Lovely.
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Supra2JZGTE
- 11:46am BST - October 9th, 2007
- 12
This is HUGE! Im lucky I got the unit I wanted, I wanted a unit that did everything (PS1,2,and 3) in one unit hooked via HDMI to my system. Oh well, should have, would have, could have.
-dad
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chilledbreeze7
- 11:50am BST - October 9th, 2007
- 14
When I went from PS1 to PS2 I found that I never played PS1 ever again, I just couldn't go back, to the inferior graphics. Its the same with the PS3, I haven't played any old PS2 games on my PS3 apart from one, and that was the brilliant God of War 2 which came out at exactly the same time as the PS3, back in late March, early April. People will just have to spend an extra 50GBP to get the 60GB PS3 if they want to play PS2 games which is not that much extra. Otherwise use your PS2!!!
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The Cleaner
- 12:10pm BST - October 9th, 2007
- 15
Klonere - You are right - Burnout Paradise is on both PS3 as well as xbox360 I was thinking of this game I saw the a few weeks back at my mates place its called "Flatout" it looks like Burnout. My mistake.
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Scarecrowi |
Ifrit99- 12:22pm BST - October 9th, 2007
- 16
If you have a ps2 it's all good.
I don't know why people whine so much 'bout backwards comp.
If you do want it buy the 60GB/80GB
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naked snaked
- 10:46am BST - October 10th, 2007
- 21
I was still waiting for prices to come down to buy my 60gb PS3, I guess I'll just have to buy one now. I want the the full specs. no 40gb for me.
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