We’re treating this one strictly as hearsay for the moment, but we thought you’d like to hear about it anyway. According to French site JV247 (translated by TheSixthAxis), Sony almost added PlayStation 2 backwards compatibility to a recent PlayStation 3 firmware update, but changed its mind at the last minute.
The topic arose in an off-record conversation with a French videogame publisher. JV247 was also told that Sony would update PS3s with the functionality if it decides to sell PS2 games on the PlayStation Store.
Backwards compatibility – or rather, the lack thereof – has proven an especially nagging thorn in PS3’s side: any positive announcements on this front would build many bridges among embittered PS2 owners who haven’t made the leap to current generation. We’ve contacted Sony for comment.