340°

Do We Still Need Backwards Compatibility?

Adam Guy wrote: "Back in 2006 when we first got our hands on the shiny new Playstation 3 Sony released two models, one premium model and one basic. The basic model missed out on WiFi, it had a smaller hard drive, and it didn’t have a multi card reader like the premium did. But other than that the two models were actually very similar. They both had 4 USB ports compared to the 2 you get on all models now and, crucially, in the US both of the launch versions had PS2 backward compatibility. This means that at the time Sony thought backward compatibly was important enough to even fit on the base model."

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playeraffinity.com
Sidology5678d ago

So, when I click on the link, all I get is a blank page.

CobraKai5678d ago

Really? Try again cuz when I did it, it was fine.

AAACE55678d ago

I've always thought backwards compatibility was a joke! Mainly for people who have a hard time letting go! Games play best on their original console, so just keep the original console if you like the games that much!

I rarely go back to a previous console because by the time the new ones come out, I am pretty bored with all the games from the past.

BattleAxe5678d ago

At first when the PS3 library was lacking it was good to have so I could continue to play Socom: Combined Assault, but now theres no need.

Sidology5678d ago

Yeeeeep. Still nothing.

Army_of_Darkness5678d ago

But used it only once to see if it worked... Anyways, we got some pretty awesome PS3 exclusives eh! :)

ReservoirDog3165678d ago

To tell you the truth, I'm currently replaying MGS3 (see bio). Still really good!

I'm glad I have a 60GB PS3. I respect the classics while enjoying the new wave of stuff. Nothing wrong with that.

Also I'm broke currently so it's nice to have a huge list of games to replay till I can scrape up enough for Kane and Lynch 2 and stuff.

DaReapa5678d ago

Same here. Lately I've been playing MGS3:Sub and Ace Combat 5 (got the urge upon hearing the announcent of the new AC game) on the 60 Gig - even though I still own a PS2 phatty.

0mega45678d ago

ive got the old ps2 if i want to play some classics.

but hey if they ever updated it with bc i wouldnt argue

commodore645678d ago (Edited 5678d ago )

Well, I have a ps3 slim, so no ps2 backwards compatibility for me.
:(

It is kind of disappointing, as Sony did promise ps2 b/c for all of its users back when the ps3 launched.
http://www.videogamesblogge...

AS for the people who say they don't need b/c, nor want it, I beg to differ. We DO need it.
Psychonauts, for example, is a fabulous game that I would love to play on the ps3 via b/c.
Funnily enough, I can play Psychonauts on the 360 via b/c.

It can only do everything?

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 5678d ago
Gray-Fox5678d ago

TBH.... (In regards to PS3 B/C) I bought my PS3 to play PS3 games and not PS2 games. If it costs less for no B/C I'll take that route.

Genesis55678d ago (Edited 5678d ago )

I have a 60 gig launch and I rarely play PS2 games on it. I have to many of this gens games to play. I still pop in a PS2 game once in a while on my old CRT TV that I have a PS2 hooked up to. At the time of launch of the PS3 it was more important than it is now.

gtamike5678d ago (Edited 5678d ago )

Well I have upgraded 60GB ver to 320GB :)
Also still got my PS2 console.

UnSelf5678d ago

NEED? no

it'll be nice to have though

mastiffchild5678d ago

Meh. You wouldn't use it and you're still better off using your PS2 on a CRT than stretching it on a 60gig PS3 anyway. I genuinely haven't used my PS3 to play a PS2 game since I played a bit of Persona4 on it however long ago that was released!

At first I played the odd bit of SoTC now and then but, seriously, when they were looking for things to cut to bring the price down BC was one of the least used features-what were they meant to do? People buy a PS3 to play PS3 games and the same for the 360-how many of us EVER play an Xbox game on it these days? Since Halo2 servers went dead I suspect virtually no one just the same as with those of us owning a BC PS3.
#
The other side of it is if you want to play PS2 games buy a sodding PS2. i got a used slim the other week when my camping console died for twenty sheets with about twenty games and a few other bits and bobs thrown in ffs. Also, there's too many current gen games to play at home so the ONLY time I play PS2 games is at a festival or when I've gone camping and taken the PS2 with me.

So, need? Definitely not. would it be nice? I guess it MIGHT but you wouldn't use it enough to merit it returning. the time we will NEED the return of that amazing library should come when PSP2 finally arrives too-it's a massive possible weapon for Sony to use in the portable arena and I fully expect a PSN full of discount downloadable PS2 titles when their next handheld is launched. Portable that library is still AMAZING but on PS3? Not so much with the console itself now in full swing. i'm genuinely amazed we still have this bloody discussion these days.

UnSelf5678d ago

doesnt really affect me personally. i have a 60 gig

Mahr5678d ago

"The other side of it is if you want to play PS2 games buy a sodding PS2"

This would be a valid line of argument if the *entire focus* of the system were not consolidating living-room entertainmnet features into one convenient monolithic entity.

People saying things like 'I don't want to play PS2' games are really missing the point, as individual preferences are neither here nor there when it comes to whether or not the market regards PS2 functionality as an important factor. The fact of the matter is that literally every Nielsen press release for usage has featured the PS2 in the number one or two spot. More than the Wii, more than the PS3, PS2 games get *the* most play time in the industry next to the 360.

http://gamerant.com/nielsen...

You cannot simply write that off as 'I don't personally care about that, it is not worth caring about, stop whining'.

And incidentally, if you have to resort to 'If you want feature X, buy another product', then you are going against Sony's own marketing strategy. 'It only does everything', remember?

What next, 'You don't NEED to watch Bluray if you want one buy a sodding Bluray player'?

XactGamer5678d ago (Edited 5678d ago )

The only people who don't like backwards compatibility are the people who can't get it. The Wii has it in a way, the Xbox has it, and the PC will always have it and the early PS3's have it. Watch the only people here that will complain about it are PS3 owners who were unfortunate enough to get models that don't support BC. Seriously read up and down this thread it's so obvious it's like a slap of reality to the face.

I enjoy classic games and I have a launch PS3 and still enjoy the old games.

Proxy5678d ago

Hackers have achieved what Sony hasn't been able to, some good PS2 emulators for PC.* Sony designed the PS2 and PS3, you'd think they'd be able to figure out emulation of their own hardware better than a bunch of hackers.

It's got to be one of 3:
1) Sony really can't design a software emulator.
2) Teh power of teh cell isn't enough for PS2 emulation.
3) Sony wants to deliberately hold back features in hope of make more money.

* - Granted the PS2 emulators on PC do have their flaws, but most games are playable and can be finished. Again, compare to Sony's non-existent software emulation.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 5678d ago
CobraKai5678d ago

I'd rather have those awesome HD rereleases than Backwards Compatiblity. And yes I do have a BC PS3

boodybandit5678d ago

I have a BC PS3 as well and the only game I ever used it for was God of War 2.

Rumor5678d ago

i would go through 5 more playthroughs of kingdom hearts 2 with a b/c ps3.

ever beat the whole story with just a kingdom key?? me niether, but its a freaking task i will complete!!

Theonik5678d ago

If only the PS3's emulation were decent there would be no need for them.

NarooN5678d ago

The problem with that is

1) Waiting for devs to actually develop the remakes
2) No guarantee whatsoever that the games you like will be remastered
3) With BC or PC emulation, I can play any game I want right away

PS2 had no problem with PS1 emulation. The only reason PS2 Hardware-based emu was removed was to cut costs, and that was two years ago, and they've only JUST RECENTLY started making a profit off the PS3.

Godmars2905678d ago

Yes. For the old, 3rd party titles that have little to no chance of seeing a collected edition, at the very least it would be something nice if only so some could retire their PS2s.

Optical_Matrix5678d ago

Nope. I have a perfectly healthy EU PS2 and a perfectly healthy Japanese PS2. Don't need B/C.

Chris3995678d ago

as there was a dearth of JRPGs till about 2008 on the system and I still had my PS2 backlog to play through.

Funny thing is, I stopped playing PS2 titles anyhow and branched out to try different genres. When the Slim was re;eased, I traded in my 60 gig and haven't looked back since. I do like this trend of re-mastering old PS2 titles though.

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90°

PS5 Sales Pass 92.2 Million Units, Beating Nintendo Switch 2 in the Holiday Quarter

Sony announced its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2025, alongside the traditional update on PS5 shipments.

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simulationdaily.com
24d ago Replies(5)
italiangamer24d ago

Sony and Nintendo are both thriving and I'm happy, thank goodness for them or otherwise the whole gaming industry would be in shambles if they only had PC to rely on!

dveio24d ago

• Total G&NS revenue: 10.5 billion USD
• Operating profit: 900 million USD
• Hardware sales: 8M units shipped
• Software sales: 97M units
• PSN MAU: 132M

vs. Xbox:

• Total gaming revenue: 5.96 billion USD
• nothing else gets reported

__y2jb24d ago

Xbox operating costs are without a doubt eye wateringly high, way way way higher than Sony. GP is costing them an absolute fortune to operate.

Tapani23d ago

That is a very solid operating profit. It's not net, obviously, but still a very healthy amount of cash you make after cost of debt and taxes (+ other expenses), and can invest into R&D and future endeavours. And give back to your shareholders or buy back shares.

DivineHand12524d ago

It would be in Sony's beat interest to not rush next generation. Let 2029 or 2030 be the start of next generation. There is clearly plenty of demand for the PS5 and gamers are not asking for more at this time.

S2Killinit24d ago

Yup especially with the price of tech going up. They already have the PRO to hold them over.

__y2jb24d ago (Edited 24d ago )

Exactly this. Let Xbox wither on the vine for a couple more years and there will be nothing left.

fr0sty23d ago

I fully agree for 2 reasons:

1. Microsoft seems to be in a hurry to release the new Xbox, if they do at all... AMD speculates a 2027 release. This will hurt them in the long run, because:

2. Datacenters are buying up ALL the RAM, and some RAM manufacturers have stopped making RAM for consumer products entirely, while the other remaining ones are scared to ramp up their production capacity to make more RAM because they're worried this whole AI thing is a bubble that is about to pop, and they don't want to be caught holding the bag when it does pop. So, for now, it costs $300-400 for 32GB of DDR5. That's the MSRP for some entire consoles.

If Microsoft drops the new Xbox now, it's going to cost them a fortune. If Sony holds their cards a moment and lets PS5 cook for a while, as it's showing no signs whatsoever of slowing down in sales, then by the time PS6 is ready to drop, RAM prices should have stabilized, allowing Sony to devote much more of their budget towards making PS6's CPU and GPU more powerful, in addition to the tech itself maturing and the available CPU and GPU parts being much more powerful for the same price point than they would be if released today. So, we'd get a super powerful PS6 in say, 2029, that won't have to cost $700-800. They speculate, based on the current specs, that the new Xbox will cost north of $1,000, and that was before the RAM shortage came into the picture. It's definitely going to be even higher now that RAM costs so much.

MS will be shooting themselves in the foot (again) if they try to drop a new Xbox now, and Sony would be wise to capitalize on that mistake by holding their cards a while longer, raking in more of those PS5 profits, and then dropping a new console as soon as the hardware market stabilizes from this AI datacenter BS.

darthv7223d ago

7 years is a hurry...? Its the same amount of time between XBO and series. The same amount of time between PS3 to PS4 and PS4 to PS5. The 360 was 8 years between it and XBO.

If they do release first, and then Sony a year or two later... is it not possible for prices to come down in that time?

repsahj24d ago (Edited 24d ago )

I think Switch 2 beat PS5 during December 2025 that is why the gap decrease to 1m units. Because during black friday, I know PS5 sales is 2:1 against the Switch 2.

And I just want to add that the PlayStation 5 is currently 1.94 million units BEHIND the PlayStation 4 when you align launches. While Switch 2 is 10M ahead against the Switch 1 when you aligned covering it's first 7 months.

S2Killinit24d ago

I think you are forgetting to mention the chip shortages for PS5.

salis84424d ago (Edited 24d ago )

No one wants the Switch 2 to do badly.

PS5 being less than 2m behind PS4 is not a big deal; PS5 had to deal with COVID and ongoing supply and pricing struggles that clearly still exist today. Sales of software are incredibly strong, and the size of the community is bigger than its ever been.

PS5 is well on pace to exceed its early (2021) estimates of 110m by end of life even if that's 2027. PS5 will hit 100m before November and then sell another 6-8M in November + December.

PS5 is doing great, and so is Switch 2, it's good for everyone that they succeed, pitting the two against each other is more damaging than anything related to the sales of the two consoles individually.

repsahj24d ago

"No one wants the Switch 2 to do badly."

majority on this site tells otherwise.

Dexterio24d ago

@repsahj
Yup because they’ve been the anti consumer they are for so long and needs to be humbled 😆

CrashMania24d ago (Edited 24d ago )

I'd be lying if I said I didn't regret my purchase a bit. I mainly bought it for Mario Kart World, but I find it pales in comparison to 8. I'm annoyed that Nintendo charged money for a super barebones 'upgrade' to Jamboree, no new minigames? No new boards? Just some gimmicky low res camera mode. Oh and Midtroid Prime 4 let me down as well, yet to go back and finish it.

I don't want the Switch 2 to fail, it's contributing to a healthier console market with the death of xbox consoles. I'll get use out of mine long term, but some of Nintendo's decisions like the ones above just annoy me lol.

jznrpg23d ago

@respahj the only thing I want Nintendo to badly is the 80$ games so they lower the price.

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50°

Sony Patents AI-Generated Podcasts Using PlayStation Character Voices

A new patent registered by Sony suggests the company is exploring the idea of personalized podcasts on PS5, hosted by PlayStation characters.

Eonjay24d ago

Okay this is actually really cool too. What is being proposed here is that the AI will generate you a podcast that is focused on the games tht you play or have wihlisted. This means you always get topic relevant to your tastes. Just don't screw it up with a bunch of ads.

PapaBop24d ago

AI is very cool, it's just all the real cool stuff is being drowned out by companies exploiting it as a marketing buzzword, generative AI slop and companies using it to cut corners and save money.

Sciurus_vulgaris24d ago

This is a terrible idea. Firstly the characters voices originate from real voice work. Secondly, the ai could end up saying questionable things. Thirdly, some voice actors use their regular voice when acting.

Juancho5124d ago

I know it's cool to hate AI, but we only hate AI because of idiots that misuse it or exploit it to take away peoples jobs. THIS is a GREAT application of AI, instead of having a human being voice actor sitting there for hours talking in character while having people writing scripts or coming up with topics etc, it can all just get POOFd into thin air and you can enjoy unique and entertaining content that harms no one.

PapaBop24d ago (Edited 24d ago )

Not sure if intentionally being funny lol. isn't this like quite literally taking away people's jobs? I think SAG-AFTRA may disagree about this harming no one.,

Juancho5120d ago

The thing is that this isn't even something that's necessary to create as a job. Without AI it just wouldn't exist period, it wouldn't be worth the effort. So what I mean to say is, having AI utilize the voice actors (with their consent of course) to create unlimited "podcast-style" content is not only super lucrative (which people will call exploitation), but it creates an entire form of entertainment that requires a "Set it and forget it" mechanism where you don't have to babysit it or hire and fire or train or anything.

TLDR: Without AI this wouldn't even be considered at all, so I'd rather have this than not have it at all.

gold_drake24d ago (Edited 24d ago )

i hate this

i hate all of this. dont just use peoples voices for AI slob that u dont pay for

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80°

RAM Price Increases Could See Next-Generation Console Releases Delayed

Insider Gaming has learned that the ongoing price increases in RAM due to the rise in AI could delay the next generation of console releases.

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insider-gaming.com
61d ago
slate9161d ago

What is even the incentive of upgrading to the next-gen after this console generation we've had? Graphics are plateauing, prices at an all time high, studios skipping entire generations or simply releasing just one game for it...
Its a mess

Jin_Sakai61d ago

Been gaming all my life. This is the worst generation ever.

jznrpg60d ago

How do you gauge each generation? There has been a lot of really good games this gen. I only care about the games. First party hasn’t been the best but the generation isn’t over yet

DarXyde60d ago (Edited 60d ago )

jznrpg,

Thing is, every generation before this one has had something that defined console identity. Very little beyond bigger/more detailed games and performance modes are really there.

I feel the last generation that cared very much was gen 7; Capcom's darkest era, but I have to give them props for being really experimental at the time. We saw plenty of new games that still tried to do something new. Outside of Metaphor and Clair Obscur, this gen has been pretty forgettable if you ask me. I'm sure a lot of it is the corporatization of the industry and the creative talent has to keep making sequels and spiritual successors because the cost of development is out of control. But even then, plenty of these experiences are experiences we've had already. And the thing is. Switch 2 and PSVR2 could really be doing incredible things, but it's just not there. Xbox I just don't see the value or point anymore but that's just me.

anast60d ago

Why has is been the worst? I've been gaming all my life and this gen. has been one of the best.

Vits61d ago

Not to mention that just like this generation, the next one will also be shared between the current and next gen console at least for a couple of years. So the few titles that it will had, just like this one, will run on the console you already have.

franwex60d ago

We will be getting games on PS4, PS5, and PS6, haha.

Extermin8or3_59d ago

I think people have to remember the pandemic at start of this gen and how it effected game development. This next gen we will see the PS4 etc support dropped and truly see the full utilisation of SSD's improvements to ray and path tracing and the impact of AI upscaling etc will be where the biggest improvements will come from.

isarai_lee60d ago

My sentiments exactly, next gen has got to prove it's worth before i buy into it this time. This has been the weakest generation in my 30yrs of gaming. From the drawn out cross gen garbage, to so many games getting stuck in development hell or canceled, to the ABSURD levels of trend chasing to the point of self destruction, this gen just wasn't worth it

thorstein60d ago

I'm pretty sure I've already read a story that said Playstation is only halfway through this console's generation and that PS6 is a way off.

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darthv7260d ago

Im good with next gen being pushed back to 27/28. It feels like this gen has only just begun.

Melankolis60d ago

Covid-19 held back everything at least 2 years worth. Although many people disliked, i think only UE5 can generally distinguish this gen from the previous one.

DarXyde60d ago

UE5 is definitely impressive, but I would also give the nod to the current version of Decima, at least the way it looks for Death Stranding 2.

CornholioX60d ago

That's normal how you think. Time goes faster when you're older and i bought my PS5 since day 1 release and now it's 5 years old. I don't mind a year delay to release PS6 in holiday 2028.

DoubleYourDose60d ago

Tomorrow isn't promised to any of us.

Eonjay60d ago

I was under the impression that next gen wasn't coming till 2027.z u9gsq

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victorMaje60d ago

Regardless of RAM price increases, I strongly believe there’s still a lot of potential left for the current gen. I’d be fine with at least 3 more years.

jznrpg60d ago

Whenever it comes out is fine with me. I still have backlog for the next year at least

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