AfterDawn: Tech news

PlayStation 3 backwards compatibility is "not coming back," ever

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 22 Aug 2009 2:59 User comments (54)

PlayStation 3 backwards compatibility is "not coming back," ever According to an interview with Arstechnica, Sony’s Director of hardware marketing John Koller has made it clear that PlayStation 3 backwards compatibility will not be coming back to the console, ever.
The original PS3 models supported PS2 games, using certain hardware, and European consoles supported the games via software emulation. Later versions, such as the 40GB model in North America, removed BWC.

Says Koller: "It's not coming back, so let me put that on the table...It's not as big as a purchase intent driver as you may be hearing," he says. "We've got such a substantial lineup of titles on the PS3; most people are buying the PS3 for PS3 games. They've buying it for PS3 games and Blu-ray movies."



"That won't be returning,"
he concludes.

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54 user comments

122.8.2009 15:31

If ps3 games are so popular why exactly are they still selling new ps2 systems and games?

222.8.2009 15:54

Quote:
They've buying it
Why kind of hell grammar is that?

322.8.2009 16:10

It's Sony grammar. And if sony can't see the benefit of only having to have one system out at a time, then whatever. Thats the attractiveness of having backwards compatibility; is that for when I feel like playing my PS2 games, I don't have to worry about waisting another spot on my power bar, and hooking up another system to the back or front end of my TV.

422.8.2009 16:20

makes sense to me. why give their customers the ability to play their collection of already bought and paid for games, when you can charge them again through PSN ?

522.8.2009 16:49

Originally posted by Mysttic:
It's Sony grammar. I don't have to worry about waisting another spot on my power bar, and hooking up another system to the back or front end of my TV.
Multi port AV Selector switch solves 1st issue as for the power bar get a bigger one :p

622.8.2009 17:51

Sony is pissing off the wrong people...the consumers. Most if not all gamers own ps2 games, why would you not use that as a selling point??? And for the morons at sony who think we don't want it, explain why the backwards compatible units are selling on ebay for more than a new unit.

722.8.2009 17:57

Nice to know Sony care about their customers.

822.8.2009 18:17
pphoenix
Inactive

Originally posted by imnomyth:
Sony is pissing off the wrong people...the consumers. Most if not all gamers own ps2 games, why would you not use that as a selling point??? And for the morons at sony who think we don't want it, explain why the backwards compatible units are selling on ebay for more than a new unit.

Quote:
The Sony exec is confident that because the console has a “substantial” line-up of gaming titles and Blu-ray support, no one wants to play old PS2 games. ®

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/08/21/...t_dead/



why would you want to play them old PS2 titles when you can purchase them all over again via the PSN store, as they are a whole new experience via PSN!


he goes on to tell ars that

Originally posted by John Koller:
"It's not coming back, so let me put that on the table," Koller says with an air of finality. But it's all people ever talk about!

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/...aystation-3.ars

sry i thought you just said!

Originally posted by John Koller:
The option just isn’t as big a “purchase intent driver” as you would think
It's just all people talk about, but it doesn't matter, as we don't listen!

922.8.2009 18:48

Quote:
If ps3 games are so popular why exactly are they still selling new ps2 systems and games?
Answer to your question is sony consoles are no longer the gamers first choice console. PS2 was so popular because you could hack and play back up games and you could play ps1 games and they had the lions share of games on the ps2.Now the xbox360 has taken over that role of the ps2 and almost matches the PS3.I believe PS3 offers a better online service than the xbox360 but it still sells less than the 360 because the 360 offers more of a simular role to the PS2. I think this is one of Sony's main reasons to still keeping the PS2 alive.In business sence its sony's way of trying to keep the bucks comming in due to PS3 not reaching the sales they fought it would.
This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 22 Aug 2009 @ 6:50

1022.8.2009 18:54

between sony not letting people play games theyve purchased on theyre last console (notably the most played console in history) and nintendo saying clearly a few months ago that nex generation Wii will be a full entertatinment system package with HD etc (but telling us to snuff it for 3 more years "because the wii is sdoing well now as it is) not to mention them dong the exact same thing with the DSi,launchin it in japan 6 months earlier becuz "the DS lite is doing well as it is") and xbox owners with fail rate of over 50% having to buy all all stuff they bought with points over theyre console ALL OVER again when/if they get a new/refurbished (refurbished=another word for will break down sooner than new one) system just because the one they paid on died because of internal hardware design flaw, im getting really pissed with all 3 companies..i mean ive heard of "everything has its cons and pros" but this is just ridiculous. no matter which console u choose u will get screwed eventually its just a matter of time really. i weep for the future of console gaming..

1122.8.2009 20:44

Originally posted by BTFan:
Quote:
They've buying it
Why kind of hell grammar is that?
Me laugh at irony yes.

1222.8.2009 20:49

Some one should explain this to the people at my local "Game Crazy"...I heard the girl behind the counter try to get a customer to per order one of these monster boxes by tell him they would be back wards compatible.

1322.8.2009 21:09

My PS3 is backwards compatible and it sucks. Why would want it?
the graphics are so grainy, or pixelated you can hardly enjoy it.

Trust me he's right, BWC is a waste, just play ps1 & 2 games on the PS2.

1422.8.2009 21:31

The whole BC issue is BS. I have two PS3's...an original 60GB and a 40GB. I've yet to play a single PS2 game on my PS3... My PS2, and all of its games are collecting dust somewhere.

1522.8.2009 22:02

get rid of blu ray and sell it for 150

1622.8.2009 22:37

The only ps2 title that comes to mind that I would really want backwards compatablilty would be SOCOM 2. I just noticed that. No other game worth playing on the ps3 from the ps2.

1722.8.2009 23:14

Originally posted by TBandit:
The only ps2 title that comes to mind that I would really want backwards compatablilty would be SOCOM 2. I just noticed that. No other game worth playing on the ps3 from the ps2.
God it is good to see a real SOCOM fan. SOCOM 2 was the best. I don't understand why the bothered patenting the ability to emulate the Emotion Engine withe the Cell Processor if they had no intent of ever putting it in. Sony a wise move for you would to be discontinue the PS2 now and bring back backwards compatibility to the PS3. Continue to make PS2 format software forcing the consumer that might have bought a ps2 to buy a ps3. Everyone is happy. The people that want BC, you for boosting sales numbers, and the entire generation that might have never got to experience the ps3.

1822.8.2009 23:23

I remember when the 80GB consoles came out that had the EE removed, I was like "Oh sh!ts, better get me a 60GB quick!" Went and spent the extra money for it (console was cheaper then 80GB, but the 80GB came with Motorstorm which I bought separately) and the only PS2 game I've ever played on it was GTA:SA. Even with that one game it still isn't worth it because I can't use my Action Replay on the PS3, and the button cheats are just too long lol

I'm sure most people here crying about it are thinking they just can't live without it like I did, but once you actually have it, it just doesn't matter. I'm sure most of you would face that too...

1923.8.2009 00:19

i knew that BS3 BC diagram looked iffy. i did say it wouldn't work.

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 23 Aug 2009 @ 12:19

2023.8.2009 02:42

Here's an idea for Sony. Stop bloating the prices just because it says "Sony" on the front. Also, Stop relying on the customer base you built from the PS2, after all you just removed BWC so there goes all the loyalty built up from the PS2 generation.

Don't get me wrong, if I go out to a store to buy absolutely anything that Sony makes. . . I'll buy the Sony version BUT even I went and bought the Xbox 360. Until the prices drop to at least the xbox prices or they start listening to the consumers (you know, us! the people you're trying to sell to), I'll just have to deal the RROD prone, 54.2% failing white brick.

2123.8.2009 03:15

Originally posted by pereirab:
Here's an idea for Sony. Stop bloating the prices just because it says "Sony" on the front. Also, Stop relying on the customer base you built from the PS2, after all you just removed BWC so there goes all the loyalty built up from the PS2 generation.

Don't get me wrong, if I go out to a store to buy absolutely anything that Sony makes. . . I'll buy the Sony version BUT even I went and bought the Xbox 360. Until the prices drop to at least the xbox prices or they start listening to the consumers (you know, us! the people you're trying to sell to), I'll just have to deal the RROD prone, 54.2% failing white brick.
Well for what the console is, I really don't think $300 is "bloating", especially if you get a phat PS3 for the Linux. I mean basically, for $250 on a 360 and then adding LIVE, all there really is to do with it is play games... At least for me, then the PS3 I use for everything and then some. Only thing my 360 can do that my PS3 can't is play copied games, other then that I find it rather useless and annoying...

2223.8.2009 07:51

Quote:
Originally posted by pereirab:
Here's an idea for Sony. Stop bloating the prices just because it says "Sony" on the front. Also, Stop relying on the customer base you built from the PS2, after all you just removed BWC so there goes all the loyalty built up from the PS2 generation.

Don't get me wrong, if I go out to a store to buy absolutely anything that Sony makes. . . I'll buy the Sony version BUT even I went and bought the Xbox 360. Until the prices drop to at least the xbox prices or they start listening to the consumers (you know, us! the people you're trying to sell to), I'll just have to deal the RROD prone, 54.2% failing white brick.
Well for what the console is, I really don't think $300 is "bloating", especially if you get a phat PS3 for the Linux. I mean basically, for $250 on a 360 and then adding LIVE, all there really is to do with it is play games... At least for me, then the PS3 I use for everything and then some. Only thing my 360 can do that my PS3 can't is play copied games, other then that I find it rather useless and annoying...
I have both a 360 and PS3 and have found that the 360 is my primary choice for games. This is because of two main reasons: 1, xbox live is IMO, the best place to play online (much more people have headsets), and 2, I'm not a big fan of the PS3 controller. But however, I use my PS3 more than my 360, I feel it has many more features (such as streaming x264 content). As for backwards compatibility, I'm not that bothered at all. The only game that I would be interested in playing again would be Resident Evil 4.

2323.8.2009 13:27

The object for Sony here is so easy & obvious to spot.

If you liked a PS2 game just hold on & wait.
If it was a popular one you'll see it on PS3 soon enough.

They'll get you to buy it all over again on PSN.
Enjoy.

2423.8.2009 17:55

Quote:
Originally posted by pereirab:
Here's an idea for Sony. Stop bloating the prices just because it says "Sony" on the front. Also, Stop relying on the customer base you built from the PS2, after all you just removed BWC so there goes all the loyalty built up from the PS2 generation.

Don't get me wrong, if I go out to a store to buy absolutely anything that Sony makes. . . I'll buy the Sony version BUT even I went and bought the Xbox 360. Until the prices drop to at least the xbox prices or they start listening to the consumers (you know, us! the people you're trying to sell to), I'll just have to deal the RROD prone, 54.2% failing white brick.
Well for what the console is, I really don't think $300 is "bloating", especially if you get a phat PS3 for the Linux. I mean basically, for $250 on a 360 and then adding LIVE, all there really is to do with it is play games... At least for me, then the PS3 I use for everything and then some. Only thing my 360 can do that my PS3 can't is play copied games, other then that I find it rather useless and annoying...
I see what you're saying but unfortunately for us New Zealanders the lowest price i can find at the moment is $550! The 360 is selling for $300! It's all good foryou Americans but we won't see the price drop till early next year. . . Being in a small country really does have massive disadvantages.

Plus With project Natal coming out I'm really not looking to switch anytime soon.

2523.8.2009 21:37

giving people what they want is a ridiculous business model

2623.8.2009 21:54

Quote:
The original PS3 models supported PS2 games, using certain hardware, and European consoles supported the games via software emulation. Later versions, such as the 40GB model in North America, removed BWC.
I can understand that more hardware makes ps3 more expensive, but i
i just cant understand why software emulation costs to them more? especially when they already have it, ready and fully functional.
Why is it so hard to just include the same software to the new models?
I have the EU 60gb with the software emulation BWC and works just fine.

Is there any chance that the Software that emulates PS2 makes the PS3 more vanruable to crack? does anyone knows?
I really cant think of anything else.
This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 24 Aug 2009 @ 1:44

2723.8.2009 22:08

drop the price drop the price sony everyone chants...3 price drops later the list of complaints got even longer.

you DONT use it i have a launch unit i had a ps2 game in my ps3 once and was like wtf am i doing this game looks like garbage after playing ps3 games.

2823.8.2009 22:31

Originally posted by Tecbot:
drop the price drop the price sony everyone chants...3 price drops later the list of complaints got even longer.

you DONT use it i have a launch unit i had a ps2 game in my ps3 once and was like wtf am i doing this game looks like garbage after playing ps3 games.
a good majority of ps2 games look like crap on the ps3. as it still makes an Emulated GPU call.

2923.8.2009 23:44

Originally posted by jookycola:
My PS3 is backwards compatible and it sucks. Why would want it?
the graphics are so grainy, or pixelated you can hardly enjoy it.

Trust me he's right, BWC is a waste, just play ps1 & 2 games on the PS2.
Good point. I dont have a PS3 yet but plan to buy one in this coming holiday season. I have seen a few ps2 games on ps3 and they do look horrible. Why? If the PS3 cant display the games as the PS2 did then is that really far to call it backwards compatability. I mean God of war for PS2 really have some impressive graphics, especially when you consider that they are not even in HD and those nice graphics would be a waste on the PS3 using BWC.

Is there a way to adjust the picture on PS3 for BWC games to make them look nice and crisp again?

3024.8.2009 00:08

Lots of factors play into PS2 games appearance on PS3. ALL my PS2 games look amazing because I have...

An LCD TV that scales and smoothes correctly (older LCDs don't)
A 60gb PS3 with Emotion chip
The upscaling settings set optimally

I prefer my PS2 games on my PS3, though I will play them on my PS2 here and there as well. I would be pissed if my PS3 died since I would have to pay a premium ebay price for another one with the emotion engine chip in it.

If your games look bad, it's your PS3, TV, or settings.

3124.8.2009 00:33

No surprise, but still dissapointing...and they still have not released GT4 on PSN, so the only way I can play it is if I go out and buy yet another PS2.

3224.8.2009 03:37

This completely contradicts a Patent they filed back over 3 months ago that will allow BWC(Back words Compatibility)for PS1 and PS2 games THIS IS WHY NINTENDO AND MICROSOFT ROCKS better then Sony these days,The companies exept Sony, listen to their customers hell even Saga they even put a poll for what game with a select number of games, first e sent to XBL first. The Clear winner was Earthworm Jim...you see I just don't get why companies go after people who make ROMS for Emulation a ROM for a game comes out instantly or in PSP case ISO's and CSO(I think) and the companies go after those makers...yet when a company does this BS which is wrong especially how one does hack consoles to play any game possible you'd think Companies would do the exact same thing instead of whine to ROM or ISO/CSO creators for Emulation BUUUUUUUUT NOOOOOOOOO Sony has to be complete idiots and do this crap..they are really starting to piss me off

3324.8.2009 04:02

For me, backwards compatibility is a bit overrated. It's worth it in the first year of a console's life cycle since there aren't many new games out for the system then, but after a while it wears out its welcome.

I played PS1 games on my PS2 for the first year, then never again
I played PS2 games on my PS3 (60GB launch) for the first year, then never again. Even though my PS3 has full BC, I never use it anymore.

I have too many PS3 games to finish so I don't have time at all anymore to go back to PS2 games. But that's just my opinion...

3424.8.2009 05:26

Originally posted by Tristan_2:
THIS IS WHY NINTENDO AND MICROSOFT ROCKS better then Sony these days
Does the wii play n64 games now?(Legal Carts, not roms)
Does the xbox run windows games yet?

They all screw over their old customers...PS2 just had such great backwards compatability that everyone expects it from the PS3. I'd be rather suprised to see xbox360 compatability on the xbox720.

3524.8.2009 08:16

Quote:
Originally posted by Tristan_2:
THIS IS WHY NINTENDO AND MICROSOFT ROCKS better then Sony these days
Does the wii play n64 games now?(Legal Carts, not roms)
Does the xbox run windows games yet?

They all screw over their old customers...PS2 just had such great backwards compatability that everyone expects it from the PS3. I'd be rather suprised to see xbox360 compatability on the xbox720.
Ok you did catch me off guard their but Nintendo has been doing a lot of remakes of the old N64 Carts and other franchises from other of their systems so in a sense their not really screwing their customers..Look at Chrono Trigger DS FF4 which was remade 3 times the last was on the DS..Super Mario 64 DS and of course Pokemon Heart Gold and Soul Silver comming in Japan later this year and then Spring 2010 for both Europe and America...So in a sense Nintendo doesn't screw ya over like Sony does...plus like I said their is a LOT of content availalble on both Wii/DSi's stores and on the 360's X Box live..both those companies do listen to their customers......unlike Sony these days, they just want the money and screw people in America...yes I'm definantly talking about the International Titles but that is a subject at another time

3624.8.2009 09:17

" They've buying it for PS3 games and Blu-ray movies."
Well duh but i still want to play my gazzillion PS2 games once and a while

3724.8.2009 13:29

I just wanna know howcome this and other articles posted here from time to time make you have to scroll left and right to be able to read the whole thing. Very annoying. Fortunately I was interested enough in the topic to tolerate it. This an issue for anybody else?

3824.8.2009 13:43

Quote:
I just wanna know howcome this and other articles posted here from time to time make you have to scroll left and right to be able to read the whole thing. Very annoying. Fortunately I was interested enough in the topic to tolerate it. This an issue for anybody else?
its the code command
This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 24 Aug 2009 @ 1:44

3924.8.2009 13:45

Originally posted by 5fdpfan:
I just wanna know howcome this and other articles posted here from time to time make you have to scroll left and right to be able to read the whole thing. Very annoying. Fortunately I was interested enough in the topic to tolerate it. This an issue for anybody else?
edited all the "code" commmands, please do not use that in the future for quotes, use the "quote" button.

4024.8.2009 13:46

This is BS Sony! Backwards compatibility is a HUGE plus for all systems. Even via emulation it would be better than nothing. This is corporate greed at its finest......lets sell people games and than later we will sell them a system that they will have to buy and download the same games that they already own to be played on the new system! Grrrr.......

4124.8.2009 13:55

Quote:
Originally posted by 5fdpfan:
I just wanna know howcome this and other articles posted here from time to time make you have to scroll left and right to be able to read the whole thing. Very annoying. Fortunately I was interested enough in the topic to tolerate it. This an issue for anybody else?
edited all the "code" commmands, please do not use that in the future for quotes, use the "quote" button.
thankyou i was just about to edit it.

4224.8.2009 14:27

Just because you guys are talking about Socom, just to let you know, the new Socom that has been released on playstation 3 (the one thats pretty bad), is actually done by a different company to the people that made the PS2 version, so thats why the new one isn't fantastic, but the comapyn that made the awesome PS2 version are actually behind the new MAG game on playstation 3 when it comes out, the one that uses unique server technology to supposedly host Lag free games for up to 256 player, I won't know if its any good until its out, but just to let know - thats what the team have been up to, should be good.

4324.8.2009 16:47

i hope they realize the best network game that has the best server coding is and probably always will be the original QuakeWorld...

4424.8.2009 22:45

Sony knows that people want backward compatability. If this wasn't true, then the PS3 would not be able to play PS1 games, and the whole "PS1 Classics" section of the PSN would not be there. It won't be long untill GT5 comes out...once that happens, I wouldn't even use backwards compatability. Based on my luck, backwards compatability should be announced the next day.

4525.8.2009 00:32

Doesnt matter to me what Sony suits think. PS2 emulation has come a long way and next year we'll be playing obscure ps2 titles at 1920x1200 resolution. So they can just suck it.

As for right now, Dark Cloud 2, COlossus, God of War, etc run beautifully.

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 25 Aug 2009 @ 12:33

4625.8.2009 06:10

Originally posted by windsong:
Doesnt matter to me what Sony suits think. PS2 emulation has come a long way and next year we'll be playing obscure ps2 titles at 1920x1200 resolution. So they can just suck it.

As for right now, Dark Cloud 2, COlossus, God of War, etc run beautifully.
Weren't PS2 games 4:3, not 16:10?

4725.8.2009 14:18

Originally posted by kyo28:
For me, backwards compatibility is a bit overrated. It's worth it in the first year of a console's life cycle since there aren't many new games out for the system then, but after a while it wears out its welcome.

I played PS1 games on my PS2 for the first year, then never again
I played PS2 games on my PS3 (60GB launch) for the first year, then never again. Even though my PS3 has full BC, I never use it anymore.

I have too many PS3 games to finish so I don't have time at all anymore to go back to PS2 games. But that's just my opinion...
I completely agree. I have the original 60G, but I have only used it to play PS2 a few times. Why is BC such a big draw for people? It's true that many people already owned tons of PS2 games (myself included), and it will be nice to play them on PS3. But these also are the people who already have a PS2 (myself included), so why do you need it for the PS3? just to save cabinet space? your old ps2 broke? It's hardly a convincing reason.

Admittedly, BC is nice to have, but it definitely not a deal breaker.

4825.8.2009 16:55

Here's why (I keep telling people this): No more memory card swapping (It's hard to know which memory cards have those specific game saves).

But the biggest reason is this: Using the Dualshock 3 to play the games is much better than any other 3rd party wireless controller on the PS2.
I even had the Logitech controller back when I had a PS2, it still wasn't nearly as good as Sony's DS2.
Also, the games look better when you use an HDMI cable over component.

4928.8.2009 16:49

For one its for people like me who are avid collectors of some of video games finest. I have so many game consoles because they all dont feature some sort of BWC for instants I have N64,Gamecube,Wii,Xbox,Xbox 360,playstation 2, and playstation 3. I have all those game consoles and only 1 Tv how am I supposed to hook all that up at once. It doesnt really have to do with the way it looks because honestly my ps2 looks like shit on my 37in LG LCD tv and I have the component hook up so I should be getting a decent picture regardless. It has to do with just being able to pop a ps2 game into my ps3 which is always connected and play away but, nooo I have to unhook one of my other systems, find an empty power outlet thats not completely filled to the brim and hope I dont short something along the way.

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 28 Aug 2009 @ 4:50

5028.8.2009 17:59

i like having the real deal in my house, Atari 5200 looks great in hi-def im serious pong was made to stand the test of time. SMB on the NES also doesn't look half bad. Sprite based games don't really look that bad on an hdtv.

5128.8.2009 19:03

Originally posted by DXR88:
i like having the real deal in my house, Atari 5200 looks great in hi-def im serious pong was made to stand the test of time. SMB on the NES also doesn't look half bad. Sprite based games don't really look that bad on an hdtv.
Which is why I am soooo glad I have a PS3 with Linux capabilities...YDL 6.1 & The ZeroGameProject FTW!

5228.8.2009 21:47

Originally posted by Oner:
Originally posted by DXR88:
i like having the real deal in my house, Atari 5200 looks great in hi-def im serious pong was made to stand the test of time. SMB on the NES also doesn't look half bad. Sprite based games don't really look that bad on an hdtv.
Which is why I am soooo glad I have a PS3 with Linux capabilities...YDL 6.1 & The ZeroGameProject FTW!
if i play originals its with original hardware don't get me wrong emulation is great but it cant replace the original i have all the Nintendo's hardware save the wii. i have the PS1 and the PS2, Two Atari's, all the Sega consoles including the SMS. a Wonderswan color.and one NeoGeo. i only have few games for most,

you know im still looking for that land fill where they dumped thousands of Atari cartridges. cant find it any where.

5328.8.2009 22:03

I hear ya man! I will FINALLY be able to pull out/use/display all my consoles I've collected (that have been in storage for the past 4+ years) in a couple months when the townhouse I am buying/building is complete. Especially after being in a 1 bedroom apt for the same amount of time...I really can't wait! But it's not bad having to rely on emu's from either my original Xbox or my PS3/Linux combo though... ;)

5430.8.2009 10:31

Originally posted by lynandal:
Just because you guys are talking about Socom, just to let you know, the new Socom that has been released on playstation 3 (the one thats pretty bad), is actually done by a different company to the people that made the PS2 version, so thats why the new one isn't fantastic, but the comapyn that made the awesome PS2 version are actually behind the new MAG game on playstation 3 when it comes out, the one that uses unique server technology to supposedly host Lag free games for up to 256 player, I won't know if its any good until its out, but just to let know - thats what the team have been up to, should be good.
I am currently in the MAG beta on PS3 and i can say this....MAG IS WHAT SOCOM:CONFRONTATION, SHOULD HAVE BEEN AND MORE!!!

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