Backwards Compatibility May Return To The PlayStation 3
Granted, this is nothing more than personal speculation, but we are using history as a foundation for this hypothesis so it's not merely wishful thinking.
When the PlayStation 3 launched back in 2006, it held the disagreeable price tag of $599. Perhaps some weren't aware at the time, but the inclusion of a special graphics synthesizer chip, which allowed for nigh-on full backwards compatibility for PS2 software, contributed to the exorbitant retail price. It wasn't long - a matter of months, really - before Sony decided to remove the chip from new PS3 models and embrace emulation for PS2 software; something Microsoft does with the Xbox 360 concerning original Xbox games. This meant that rather than 98-99% b/c for the PS3, we had about 75-80% b/c, although gamers were thankful to find that most all popular PS2 titles were included in the "compatible" list. Then, Sony abandoned even that, and the PS3 would only play PS1 games and zero PS2 games. For those of you with relatively large PS2 libraries who had sacrificed the PS2 when they purchased a PS3, this came as a significant blow.
Now that you're aware of the history, let's switch gears for a second: at the start of this generation, Sony would often say that force feedback in controllers was a "last-gen feature," which is why they didn't include it in the original PS3 controller, the Sixaxis. But the fan outcry was big, and Sony eventually responded with the Dual Shock 3. Switching back to the hardware, Sony has said we shouldn't expect a price drop any time soon, although many analysts and game journalists say we should anticipate a cut this holiday season. In the meantime, Sony has issued several press releases outlining the reasons why the PS3 is worth the money; why it offers more than the competition. However, two things appear to be happening: 1. people really are clamoring for PS2 backwards compatibility to return (PS1 b/c never went away), and 2. everyone really needs a price drop. Rumors of a Blu-Ray-less PS3 have shifted around a bit, but that doesn't even make any sense.
Furthermore, the economy really won't allow for a price cut right now. Sony just managed to drop the production costs down to around $440 per machine, and they can continue to lower that number. They can do this because the cost to manufacture many of the individual parts for the machine has been slashed; new technology costs less and less as time goes on, remember? Therefore, perhaps it would be possible to assume that bringing full b/c back wouldn't cost nearly as much as before...? And if you're not going to drop the price, perhaps bringing back a beloved feature amongst long-time PlayStation fans might further prove the machine is worth the price of admission. "No, you don't need that PS2 - which still costs $129, by the way - because your PS3 will play all your PS2 games you still enjoy!" As the cost of producing the console continues to fall, Sony remains insistent that a price cut isn't coming, but for what may come as a minimal price to them and at no additional charge to you, they can really cater to their avid followers.
It's just something to consider. Backwards compatibility really may be a feature that simply won't ever return, but you never know... Nuttier things have been known to happen.
3/8/2009 Ben Dutka
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Comments (67 posts)
CH1N00K
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 8:12:46 AM
LimitedVertigo
Sunday, March 08, 2009 @ 10:53:58 PM
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FFXIIIon360
Sunday, March 08, 2009 @ 11:04:01 PM
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coverton341
Sunday, March 08, 2009 @ 11:11:35 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, March 08, 2009 @ 11:15:07 PM
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PS2 may still be selling, but if all the Sony development studios are working on titles for PS3 then it is an investment that is worthwhile because it allows people to stick with their old library, and allows for the sale of the old system on ebay or something so that they can catch up, and then be engrossed in the available software for PS3.
In short, at some point they will have to see the PS2 is dragging them down more than helping them along, but people still want their old games to work.
Aftab
Sunday, March 08, 2009 @ 11:41:56 PM
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Last edited by Aftab on 3/8/2009 11:42:32 PM
Aftab
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 12:11:14 AM
Neurotoxiny
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 12:00:50 AM
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Sony would probably get a large sales spike if they had a new model that supported PS2/PS1 games.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 12:25:30 AM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 12:27:03 AM
LimitedVertigo
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 12:32:00 AM
blitz30952
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 2:18:23 AM
WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 12:26:10 AM
Reply
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 12:31:48 AM
LimitedVertigo
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 12:36:49 AM
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 12:53:21 AM
Phoelix
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 12:37:47 AM
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The B/C is gone for a reason--cost. I'm not so sure that Sony will bring it back; I mean, consider how visually stunning some of the next gen titles are, why would people even bother with the downgraded graphics of last gen? (I'm definitely NOT saying that old games are bad. New ones just have more technology behind them) They are probably betting that by the time they actually can afford to put B/C back that people will have quieted down about it anyway.
I certainly wish that Sony could afford a price drop and the inclusion of PS2 hardware, but I don't think they can afford to do it.
LimitedVertigo
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 12:47:03 AM
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firehahahahaha
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 12:47:56 AM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 2:58:23 AM
wano
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 4:59:28 AM
wano
Wednesday, March 11, 2009 @ 5:57:44 PM
I wouldnt say "impossible", Unless you think that all 360 games and all cross platform games are not next gen (who knows, that might be the case in a few years time)
Dont get me wrong, I completely agree that the future of next gen games is deffinately not on DVD9 media. The games coming out over the next few years will more than likely demand a lot more space.
Last edited by wano on 3/11/2009 6:01:45 PM
englishgolfer
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 2:06:51 AM
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Fenrir
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 4:06:03 AM
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KevinCairo
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 4:06:11 AM
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KevinCairo
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 4:14:51 AM
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Ultimadream
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 4:15:01 AM
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wano
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 5:04:44 AM
ed_winchester
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 7:22:33 AM
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Diggity Dan
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 7:49:46 AM
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LimitedVertigo
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 9:38:18 AM
Geobaldi
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 6:36:06 PM
N a S a H
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 8:40:57 AM
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and another thing, if all these people wanted to play PS2 games so much why did they sell their PS2's in the first place? or do they just want to do it all in the same system for convienience sake.
maxpontiac
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 9:06:21 AM
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- Introduce backward compatibility on the PS3.
- Stop production of the PS2.
- Lower the price of the PS3 by $100 USD.
- Advertise, advertise, advertise.
With the amazing line up of exclusive titles this year, the pieces are in place for Sony to have an excellent year.
Last edited by maxpontiac on 3/9/2009 9:06:57 AM
Diggity Dan
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 9:32:15 AM
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Exactly... I never got the whole b/c thing. If it slashes $25 or $50 off the pricetag, b/c shouldnt be on the PS3.
SaladFingers
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 10:37:45 AM
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CH1N00K
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 10:54:49 AM
SaladFingers
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 11:58:09 AM
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 12:58:13 PM
Phoelix
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 6:22:00 PM
Better yet, someone types in "Playstation 3" into Google News and gets this story.
If you put "Editorial: [the rest of the title]" it'd be quite clear.
GHill4Life
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 11:32:35 AM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 3:52:41 PM
bxshotboi
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 12:21:03 PM
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Zemus101
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 1:26:40 PM
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Last edited by Zemus101 on 3/9/2009 1:27:43 PM
NoSmokingBandit
Monday, March 09, 2009 @ 3:16:01 PM
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If they bring back the ps2 emulator then they will work on optimizing it and slimming down the code. They might then try to make it work on the psp2 so we can download ps2 games from psn and play them on our psp2's. I have the motorstorm bundle, so i already have the ps2 emu, but sony sould really focus on how to use it outside of the ps3.
BikerSaint
Tuesday, March 10, 2009 @ 4:38:04 AM
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BikerSaint
Tuesday, March 10, 2009 @ 4:43:51 AM
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Dingodial
Tuesday, March 10, 2009 @ 9:36:35 PM
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