About Backwards Compatibility

[solinent]

Well, we know that Europe is getting B/C through software. We all knew that a version of the PS3 would come like this eventually, but none expected it so early.

Now, some of you may know that I'm from Canada. That means that this doesn't affect me. So why am I creating this topic?

1. Will Sony allow for backwards compatibility via software on the US PS3's as an option rather than hardware b/c? If so, then will you be able to switch (like for example, if MGS3 supports B/C through software since it's so popular , will we be able to switch between hardware and software B/C for games that may be more obscure/older?
2. If North American PS3's don't get it at all, then when do you guys think we will get it?

Remember, this thread is for North American owners of the PS3. Also, remember that B/C with software can give advantages such as anti-aliasing, higher resolution (720p or even 1080p if they can perfect it good enough).

Discuss the chances and just general B/C through software on North American PS3's.

[GamerG]

I dont know but my advice is that if you are in North America and are delaying your PS3 purchase for a while dont.. get one now while you get 98% BC

[nzitser]

1. I'm guessing that they will for the sake of saving money and hopefully lowering the price in the future. I'm not sure if they'll be able to do that but they could probably find a way.
2. probably by christmas 07. i'm guessing there's gonna be a pricedrop towards the holiday season and Sony will take the EE out (if not before)

[solinent]

I dont know but my advice is that if you are in North America and are delaying your PS3 purchase for a while dont.. get one now while you get 98% BC

Yeah that's a good decision. Better to have the PS2 hardware than not. Unless Sony doesn't give b/c option for us (as they'll eventually get a really high percentage of games to work, and in better quality).

[mgillespie]

I would expect to see a similar cost reduced PS3 in the NTSC regions within a few months anyway...

[solinent]

I would expect to see a similar cost reduced PS3 in the NTSC regions within a few months anyway...

Yeah, but this thread is about discussing existing PS3's. Like the 1million of us who already have a ps3?

[dacalo]

It won't matter whether you purchase now or later with revision. I recall from a Gamespot interview a few months ago that eventually all BC will be done via software emulation in the future.

What does this mean for current owners? Sony will eventually deactivate EE+GS chip in current systems via firmware once emulation is comparable to hardware BC. This will be done in order to make ALL PS3s consistent and equal.

It's not like Europe will be getting 20% BC. It's more like 80%, and target is upwards of 90% in the future.

[FrostyCass]

[quote=solinent;1120245]Well, we know that Europe is getting B/C through software. We all knew that a version of the PS3 would come like this eventually, but none expected it so early.

Now, some of you may know that I'm from Canada. That means that this doesn't affect me. So why am I creating this topic?

1. Will Sony allow for backwards compatibility via software on the US PS3's as an option rather than hardware b/c? If so, then will you be able to switch (like for example, if MGS3 supports B/C through software since it's so popular , will we be able to switch between hardware and software B/C for games that may be more obscure/older?
2. If North American PS3's don't get it at all, then when do you guys think we will get it?

1- I think Sony will not have an option from hardware or software for NA. I also think giving us the option of switching back and forth will just annoy EU consumer considering the fact that they didnt get the option either.

2-I think Sony will make an annoucement that they will be weeding out the chipset version and implementing the software version of the PS3 after they workout the bugs that will/might occur with EU launch. This will is also coinside with the fact that they said in the release, more PS3 focus so don't be surprised PS2 focus will be dropped in the very near future like this one or early nexted...

But hey i could be wrong.

[charmingcharlie]

This issue is more than just BC for a lot of people. Look Pal users DO NOT want special treatment, we don't want extra things over the US or Jap market. All we want is to be treated EXACTLY the same as the US/Jap market. I do not think it is a great deal to expect that the launch console for europe should have the exact same features as the US/Jap version. What happens after that is another matter.

However Sony and a lot of people on these boards don't see that. It makes me laugh how everyone had a really good laugh at Microsoft when there was a RUMOUR of a revised Xbox 360 with HDMI. I remember the comments were along the lines of "pfft an upgrade after only a year how pathetic". But here we are now, Sony are bringing in a major revision (yes yanking chips out is a major revision) less than four months after it's launch and it downgrades the BC performance. But hey that is okay isn't it cos it's Sony right

[HAYLOALDAILO]

It matters to me since I just sold my old PS2 a kept a lot of my games. Had to keep my original XBOX since most games dont work on my XBOX360.

[grangerfx]

I am probably wierd but I would actually prefer less backward compatibility via software with HD scaling over far greater backward compatibility in hardware without scaling. Hopefully this is not a choice we will have to make and Sony will allow those of us with the original consoles to run the software emulator and they won't take away the our existing bacwards compatibility either.

[Staticneuron]

The funny thing is. I still have my PS2 hooked up to the screen. Seriously, why put wear and tear on the PS3 if you still have your PS2 around? Maybe if my PS3 upscaled games but it does not. I have no qualms about not using my PS3 for gaming because my Wii and 360 is getting scant attention now in the face of my unfinished yet awesome PS2 titles.

[solinent]

[QUOTE=FrostyCass;1120310]

Well, we know that Europe is getting B/C through software. We all knew that a version of the PS3 would come like this eventually, but none expected it so early.

Now, some of you may know that I'm from Canada. That means that this doesn't affect me. So why am I creating this topic?

1. Will Sony allow for backwards compatibility via software on the US PS3's as an option rather than hardware b/c? If so, then will you be able to switch (like for example, if MGS3 supports B/C through software since it's so popular , will we be able to switch between hardware and software B/C for games that may be more obscure/older?
2. If North American PS3's don't get it at all, then when do you guys think we will get it?

1- I think Sony will not have an option from hardware or software for NA. I also think giving us the option of switching back and forth will just annoy EU consumer considering the fact that they didnt get the option either.

2-I think Sony will make an annoucement that they will be weeding out the chipset version and implementing the software version of the PS3 after they workout the bugs that will/might occur with EU launch. This will is also coinside with the fact that they said in the release, more PS3 focus so don't be surprised PS2 focus will be dropped in the very near future like this one or early nexted...

But hey i could be wrong.

The thing is, some games might not work after they do this. And we have the hardware in the PS3 to do what we want. But we'd be locked out. That'd be unfair also. I guess that's my problem.

[jXales]

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3157443

Sony says they'll continue to "assess" the PS2 library through launch, but have not revealed how many games will be emulated via software at launch. The original release, however, said a "limited range" of PS2 games, so perhaps this decision happened recently.

Seems like all the fuss of the community made them reformulate their statement a little

[Lionel Hutz]

This is a poll thread, so I voted. Along with a vote, however, comes opinion and I'm going to give it regardless if PS3/360 fans like it or not.

I am probably wierd but I would actually prefer less backward compatibility via software with HD scaling over far greater backward compatibility in hardware without scaling. Hopefully this is not a choice we will have to make and Sony will allow those of us with the original consoles to run the software emulator and they won't take away the our existing bacwards compatibility either.

To me that doesn't sound weird at all. To date, I have played a total of oh, zero, PS2 titles on my PS3. I sold my PS2 like others, but mainly because I bought a better system that will have better games, leaving no point to my PS2 or BC for that matter. In other words, I decided to sell it based on the fact I would rather play PS3 games than PS2 ones, meaning BC was not a factor in selling my PS2.

I think that BC in general is overrated. I can only imagine when the PS15 comes out. People will find a way to complain: "I paid $2000 for something that can't play a game from a century ago?" I never thought that the 360 BC issue was that important and I don't think that it should be for the PS3.

I'm sure that Sony will attempt to make the more popular games compatible first and then move onto lesser known titles over time - just have more patience (Well, try to at least considering the time for the PS3 release.). In the meantime, you can enjoy your next-gen system (the system that you've been waiting for this long). Or better yet, fire up your old system and never buy a next-gen system. You save some (okay, a lot) money and don't have to wait for the PS3.

PS No offense to anyone that likes BC. I'm just saying that there are ways around it, and complaining and b****ing on forums is not one way.

[FrostyCass]

[quote=solinent;1120375]

The thing is, some games might not work after they do this. And we have the hardware in the PS3 to do what we want. But we'd be locked out. That'd be unfair also. I guess that's my problem.

Yea unfair, but there's not much to do about unfair in an unfair world.

I dont play any PS1 games personally and I'an not sure how much do these days. The move Sony is making, makes me think that if its great by demand like FF series then it will work on the PS3. That being said I do believe with some ray of hope that the software will cover a good percentage 70-80% of games.

By the way is there a ton of PS2 games comming out this year other than the obsivous GoWII, Mercs and such that they can't emulate for the PS3 in time before it comes out?

like i said before, I can be wrong.

[AndyD]

Ill take it if it means games would be rendered at 1080 or 720p or at least with decent AA
Heres two screens of FFXII rendered at high res under software emulation on the PS3...





If other games get this kind of improvement, then I would gladly sacrifice a chuck of compatibility.

[solinent]

This is a poll thread, so I voted. Along with a vote, however, comes opinion and I'm going to give it regardless if PS3/360 fans like it or not.



To me that doesn't sound weird at all. To date, I have played a total of oh, zero, PS2 titles on my PS3. I sold my PS2 like others, but mainly because I bought a better system that will have better games, leaving no point to my PS2 or BC for that matter. In other words, I decided to sell it based on the fact I would rather play PS3 games than PS2 ones, meaning BC was not a factor in selling my PS2.

I think that BC in general is overrated. I can only imagine when the PS15 comes out. People will find a way to complain: "I paid $2000 for something that can't play a game from a century ago?" I never thought that the 360 BC issue was that important and I don't think that it should be for the PS3.

I'm sure that Sony will attempt to make the more popular games compatible first and then move onto lesser known titles over time - just have more patience (Well, try to at least considering the time for the PS3 release.). In the meantime, you can enjoy your next-gen system (the system that you've been waiting for this long). Or better yet, fire up your old system and never buy a next-gen system. You save some (okay, a lot) money and don't have to wait for the PS3.

PS No offense to anyone that likes BC. I'm just saying that there are ways around it, and complaining and b****ing on forums is not one way.

Well there's lots of good games that I weren't interested in before that I buy now, for the PS2, but play on my PS3. Such as MGS and GoW (I was into bad games, mostly, lol).

It's also fun playing games in 720p with AA. It gives games a whole new sense.