All Channels
Popular
730°

Why PS3 Emulation Is So Hard Even After 15 Years

As we learned earlier in the year, the PS4 won’t be feature any backwards compatibility outside of the PS4. While a disappointment to many, some had wondered why it was that some PCs were capable of running emulations such as RPCS3 yet a next-gen console such as the PS5 isn’t. Well, for those who aren’t very technical, a new video by Modern Vintage Gamer breaks down the very reasons as to why it’s not easy to emulate the PS3, with professional input from a former member of Sony’s own ICE team.

VenomUK2057d ago

Call me an optimist but I don't necessarily think this is the end of the PS1, PS2, PS3 backwards compatibility dream! The reality is Sony has a 110+ million install base of PS4 owners so it was paramount to carry them over to the new generation so that's why it has invested in getting this working. But what Sony will discover through the player use metrics is just how much PS5 owners use PS4 games. It will see how valuable this is and may then look to conceivably expand compatibility to the older generations. No guarantees but at the start of the new generation when next-gen game releases are limited Sony is going to be shocked and delighted at how popular backwards compatibility and BC with boost mode on PS5 is.

Rude-ro2057d ago

Sony has offered bc on all consoles in one way or another except to the PS4.
Sony are tech engineers.
The base is not concerned with backwards compatibility.
Is it/would it be cool? Sure.
Would it generate a lot of revenue? No.
It is niche. Known through sonys long run in console gaming and offering bc.

Sony pushes boundaries and tries to push things forward.
Cameras, tvs, stereos, batteries, etc etc etc..
They win some and lose some, but they are not about being stagnant and slapping a price on old and calling it “new”.

They gave up the fight per the direction of the ps3s architecture because no American tech company would ever allow the hardware to change that could effect software.
Microsoft, google, etc. all put up that fight.
Especially in the ps3 erA where Microsoft was loosing major ground/trust per insecure os builds and the like,

So now, Sony is focusing on what they do best... game coding.

They may not be allowed to “rewrite” computer hardware... but they sure as hell know how to pierce together the puzzle to make THE best game engines per their consoles.

darthv722057d ago

PS1 and PS2 'digital' bc is already a possibility. They just need to enable the feature. Many PS2 digital games have even been given trophies but at their core they are still the PS2 version, just running through specific emulation on the PS4 (and soon PS5). Disc based BC may be a bit harder as I believe theere is no CD diode on the optical drive of the PS4 (and subsequent PS5) so no CD media support. That eliminates 100% of the PS1 library and about 30% of the PS2 library.

PS3 discs would be supported if Sony were to add in a Zen compatible version of RPCS3 to their system. Then it would open the door for much more BC titles (both disc and digital). Maybe even get the emulation to utilize some of the SPU of the Tempest processor.

Shane Kim2057d ago (Edited 2057d ago )

Ps4 had no ps3 bc yet it's the most sold console. So much that MS haven't even showed figures for years. It's the second most sold console of all time. It's a nice feature but not one that sells consoles.

2056d ago
INMATEofARKHAM2056d ago (Edited 2056d ago )

> Call me an optimist but I don't necessarily think this is the end of the PS1, PS2, PS3 backwards compatibility dream!

I think that's an honest assessment... I doubt we'll ever see offical support, obviously, but fans of emulation will always tinker and there's not much that cannot be solved with more processing power.

(Obviously, I'm talking about PCs here and not a consoles)

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 2056d ago
2056d ago
Knightofelemia2056d ago

Unless you can't read yes I meant the Cell processor and just in case you're thinking of the villain from DBZ no I did mean him even though he is one of my faves.

cell9892055d ago

I heard my name and I just couldn’t help my self lol

ApocalypseShadow2057d ago

To this day, I still wonder what games would have looked like with all 8 SPEs working together. System only allowed 7 as 1 was redundant. And, one 1 was used as well for features. Bringing it down to 6 SPEs.

Just think of Killzone or Motorstorm with all 8 SPEs running. Mouth just waters and flies open. ..Ptuh Ptuh...lol. Got mud in my mouth. *Lunatics unite!!*

Mithan2057d ago

One could also say "what would it have looked like if they had a more traditional cpu, with the same power?".

ApocalypseShadow2057d ago (Edited 2057d ago )

Traditional CPUs weren't putting out the same power. Remember? They we're hitting Moore's Law.

Only thing wrong with Cell was that Sony didn't teach PC developer's early on on how to program for it.

Funny thing about the Cell design is that today's modern chips have multiple cores. Including mobile chips. Ken K and IBM were actually correct in the direction. Just not in the execution of teaching PC developers new tricks. But they all had to learn multi core programming anyway. PC developers basically said it was too hard. Showing that they lacked advanced programming skills and needed to go back to the easy and familiar.

Now they could program easily for current gen. But things swung in the opposite direction. Gamers complained that current chips weren't powerful enough. "It's mobile chips." But hey, Sony gave ease of development. Everyone should have been happy. Now, Sony decided speed and balance while still being complex. We'll see how smart these developers are in thinking outside the HDD and old game design box.

sagapo2056d ago (Edited 2056d ago )

@Apocalypse; there’s a big difference between multicore (cell) and multiprocessor ( like today). Multicore is way more difficult to program for than a multiprocessor system. So you can’t really compare that way.
The x360 was a multi processor system; multiplatform games were easier to develop on xbox 360, so they got an edge in performance. The PS3 exclusives however showed what the cell was capable of, which was impressive to say the least, but it was hell to program for.

LucasRuinedChildhood2056d ago (Edited 2056d ago )

@Mithan @sagapo
I wouldn't bother with ApocalypseShadow. Even though you've corrected him, he will not change his opinion.

"PC developers basically said it was too hard. Showing that they lacked advanced programming skills ..."
EA: "Hey Bioware, here's Frostbite. The engine is not very well documented but you should just know how to use it anyway because you have advanced programming skills."

This is such a dumb point of view. Programming being more difficult requires more time, training and resources. He's trying to take a jab at the intelligence of "PC developers" (casual fanboyism) when he can't even pay attention to a 15 minute video. If multicore and multiprocessor systems were essentially the same, then emulating the PS3 wouldn't be as hard as it is. These developers who "lacked advanced programming skills" are to ones who made PS3 games so maybe they know something.

"Now they could program easily for current gen. But things swung in the opposite direction. Gamers complained that current chips weren't powerful enough."
Not what happened. The PS4 being easy to develop for is because of the x86 architecture. The CPU being underpowered is not the reason that it was easy to develop for (if anything, it's the opposite - it would have created more limitations and required more optimization). It was just a financial decision to keep the cost low.

"Now, Sony decided speed and balance while still being complex. We'll see how smart these developers are in thinking outside the HDD and old game design box." The PS5 is easier to do develop for than the PS4. What is this guy even talking about?

RedDevils2056d ago

I want Motorstorm on PS5 now damn it!

Cernunnos2056d ago (Edited 2056d ago )

Mostly the same, but possibly more stable frame rates. The PS3 was quite majorly bottlenecked by having very little RAM and the GPU was not the greatest.

no_more_heroes2057d ago

Because the Cell processor was a monster in all the bad ways as well as the good.

excaliburps2057d ago

Kutaragai is the one who pushed for it, no?

IanTH2056d ago

100%. I was going to add in a pithy "because of Kutaragi" in the comments because, yea, it's the Cell that's the problem..but it was a problem because of Ken lol.

PS3, if executed only on his vision, wouldn't have even had any traditional GPU at all! The Nvidia GPU got thrown in practically last minute due to (plentiful) feedback, and I just wonder if the PS3 only had SPUs to work with, how much more would the PS3 have struggled, and how would that have impacted visuals? Quite a complicated mashup, the PS3 ended up being lol.

Terry_B2057d ago

Well, we have 2020 and the first Xbox is still not emulated.

MadLad2057d ago

No real reason for it. The original Xbox was basically a PC.

Most of the games had were also on PC. It had its exclusives, but the people who work on these projects usually aim for platforms where a lot of the titles could only be had through emulation.

FreeckyCake2057d ago

Otogi, Ninja Gaiden Black, Dino Crisis, Blinx, Conquer bad fur day reloaded, Crimson Sea 1, Jet Set Radio Future and the list go on. There's a lot of reasons why OGX emulation must be stable in the near future.

MadLad2057d ago

That's still just a handful. It's a lot different than the hundreds had on the earlier Playstation/Nintendo console. Both of which have multiple, high quality emulators available by comparison.

RedDevils2056d ago

The only game I want from 360 is probably Blue dragon, everything on Xbox has no interest or a waste of time when it also on PC.

Show all comments (62)
60°

Final Fantasy X 25th Anniversary Website Launches With New Nomura Artwork and Merchandise

Square Enix launches Final Fantasy X 25th anniversary site, revealing new Nomura art, books, music releases, and merchandise.

Read Full Story >>
twistedvoxel.com
-Foxtrot33d ago

Look I know VIII has its issues and all that but how on earth can the do big anniversary events with new artwork and merchandise for VII, IX and X yet VIII got sweet f*** all.

They could have given it something during its 25th anniversary yet all it got was a single Happy Anniversary post on their social media.

solideagle33d ago

they should know that we are OG fans of VIII as it sold truckload as well. not as much as VII or X. I personally didn't like IX but X and VI are my personal fav.

Shadow Hearts 2 covenant is another game I love. I hope one day someone can make remake, I would be delighted

Relientk7733d ago

Final Fantasy VIII is great and you are always the first to defend it in the comments

40°

15 Years Ago, Mortal Kombat (2011) Saved Gaming’s Biggest Fighting Franchise

A brutal reset, a smarter story, and a return to what made it great—Mortal Kombat (2011) revived the series.

Read Full Story >>
fortressofsolitude.co.za
italiangamer42d ago

"Gaming’s Biggest Fighting Franchise"

Press X to (seriously) doubt.

DarXyde40d ago

Underrated comment. I used to hate that game so much that any time my siblings asked me to play it, I just picked Hom and shut myself down mid-match.

Soy40d ago

And then MK1 killed it again.

DivineHand12540d ago (Edited 40d ago )

15 years went by so fast. I remember playing through the story mode at launch.

90°

PlayStation legend Shuhei Yoshida says Jim Ryan fired him because he didn't listen to him

Why did Sony push Shuhei Yoshida out of his role leading PlayStation's first-party games? He'd overseen some huge successes. Well, apparently, he didn't listen.

Read Full Story >>
eurogamer.net
Relientk7741d ago

Yeah I can see that for sure. Shuhei Yoshida should have been in charge not Jim Ryan.

Cacabunga41d ago

It should be free highway for him now.. but Sony are too stupid to see this, especially that moron Hulst

S2Killinit41d ago (Edited 41d ago )

Wtf why all that anger. PlayStation is dominating on every level. Besides I think there is a little more to hiring a CEO than just who is available. Its not like its a athlete your team wants to buy.

neutralgamer199241d ago

S2Killinit

live service failures, chasing trends, closing studios. yes dominating

Cacabunga41d ago

Sony is Dominating because competition is not existing. Compared to previous gens this is the poorest in terms of software offerings.

Last gen we got Uncharted 4 Lost Legacy and TLOU2 from ND alone.

This is so far a remasters gen, with no competition to lift up the quality

1nsomniac41d ago (Edited 41d ago )

..."PlayStation is dominating on every level"....

...Really???

PlayStation are soon heading into a new generation in the not to distant future. They currently have the worst customer satisfaction they've ever sustained as a company. The company is heading for a huge crash while at the same time they'll need to be planning how they are going to try and win back that favour and the build up to their new releases.

Yes financially they're winning but they're going to have to ride out this complete public corporate disaster. No one has faith in the company or the product anymore. They've damaged their public image so much this generation. Greed can kill anyone.

medman41d ago

Hulst is a disaster......

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 41d ago
blacktiger41d ago

He would've done the same thing and fire Jim Ryan and Shuhei would be the villain. Why?
Because Elite creates the narrative and distraction for gamers, users and citizens.

Outside_ofthe_Box41d ago

More confirmation that Jim Ryan is the culprit for what has happened to Sony. Hulst needs to go too. What sucks is that a lot of the good top heads at Sony are no longer there. I wish that guys that were forced out prematurely by Dumbo Jimbo like Shuhei and Layden came back.

robtion40d ago

Yep. Yoshida was responsible for bringing one of the best games of this generation to playstation (Stellar Blade). He is an actual gamer and is in touch with what gamers want (creative, fun games, not GaaS and agenda pushing). He also seems like a genuinely nice guy if you watch some interviews. Of course they got rid of him.

darthv7241d ago

Makes you wonder if MS even thought about hiring him after Phil and Sarah were leaving. He certainly couldn't make their situation any worse.

Agent7541d ago

Microflop. After Windows XP and Xbox 360, it all went floppy.

S2Killinit41d ago

Floppy 😆
No pun intended

badz14941d ago

Yoshida for President! Jim Ryan was and always be a hack! Sony should get Shu back

Lightning7741d ago

All the gamer/consumer lead heads are gone across PS and Xbox. shuhei gone phil's gone (questionable) but gone. The future of gaming is somewhat uncertain across the board.

Show all comments (30)