40GB firmware to allow backwards compatibility in October?

[Groo The Perverted]

I've been seeing this article all over the net talking about a rumored firmware update coming in October for the 40GB PS3 that will allow it to play PS2 games.

While I hope this is true, I'm not sure whether it's a pipe dream or not. I've read before that Sony came out and said they were completely phasing out the B/C in all models and that they viewed the consumer who would get a PS3 as a completely different consumer than would get the PS2 and that they had no plans to stop making the PS2s.

So through THAT logic it doesn't make sense for a firmware update that would allow us to play PS2 games on the PS3.

That being said, this is allegedly coming from a Sony Importer or something.

Here's the piece I saw:

That's right, this little rumor has popped up again. I'm not going to brush this off though, after Bioshock is finally receiving a confirmed PS3 release, it is hard to tell what may or may not happen with the system.

Sony has been semi-wishy washy about the backwards compatibility on the PS3 for awhile now. First it was there, then it wasn't then it was half there and frankly, I'm getting tired of trying to remember what has what where. Who is on first, what? Anyway, It is being speculated that the 40GB Playstation 3 is getting backwards compatibility in the October update.

According to German game site InPlayStation, an October firmware update for the PS3 will bring full b/c for PS2 games. Now, Sony has said they plan to make PS2 games downloadable on the Network at some point, so perhaps this is a very plausible rumor.

Yea, I know, lets take this with a grain of salt. I know the PS3 is a powerful system and all, but considering that the best full software emulation on PCs can only pull between 5~12 FPS on a good day, I'm a little wary that the PS3 can do it. Maybe they've written some massive multi-threaded emulation behemoth, I don't know, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.

Seriously, if it is that important to you, snag a 80GB. Most of the titles you'll want to play will work and if that is not good enough, eBay a 60GB. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to return to fantasizing about the Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle.

and here's the original German article for those who speak/read German perhaps they could say what exactly the article says:

Wir haben heiße Neuigkeiten für euch! In einem Gespräch zwischen uns und einem Sony Importhändler aus den USA, welcher nach Deutschland importiert, haben wir erfahren, dass die 40GB Variante der PS3 im Oktober abwärtskompatibel zu PS2 Spielen werden soll. Das ganze soll via eines Firmware Updates von statten gehen.

So fügte unser Kontaktmann scherzend hinzu, dass er nun schleunigst alle 60GB Modelle, welche er noch auf Vorrat habe, loswerden müsse, da sie nach Veröffentlichung der Firmware einen spürbaren Wertverlust erleiden würden. Dies klingt durchaus plausibel, da viele zum um einiges teureren 60GB Modell nur aufgrund der Abwärtskompatibilität greifen, was bei gleicher Funktionalität des 40GB Modells dann hinfällig werden würde.

Auf die Frage hin, wie dies von technischer Seite aussehen wird, wurde uns versichert, dass dies "zu 100% durch Software Emulation" geschehen soll. Laut des Händlers sei die Firmware für den Oktober geplant, zu hundert Prozent könne er dies aber nicht zusichern.

Wir können ebenfalls keine Garantie für die Richtigkeit dieser Meldung geben, die Tatsache jedoch, dass Sony unlängst ankündigte, auch PS2 Spiele über das PSN vertreiben zu wollen, macht diesen Schritt doch sehr wahrscheinlich.

Wir halten euch bei neuen Informationen auf dem Laufenden.

[groovyone]

This rumor just keeps popping up.

[xtop]

sony has said they're taking bc out of the ps3's, yes, but they're referring more to the hardware inside the ps3 imo.

i've been saying all along we'll see ps2 downloads, so every ps3 is gonna have bc at some point. anytime soon? doubt it. but the more microsoft releases their xbox games (assuming they're even making money on them) the more pressure sony will have to do the same.

edit: actually..the article refers to sony saying they'll release ps2 games, they never claimed that did they?

[chnandler_bong]

This continues to boggle my mind, as gin-soaked and rotten as it is. I would never think of having both my PS2 and my PS3 under the same TV. The only reason I still have my PS2 is because my nephew plays it on the TV in the guest bedroom when he is here.

I can see M$ capitalizing on this by saying, "At least we are BC with most of our games."

I know that to a bunch of people BC doesn't matter at all, but I'm (obviously) one of those that LUVS BC and cherish my (now repaired) 60 GB model.

[Groo The Perverted]

Originally Posted by chuckuykendall

I know that to a bunch of people BC doesn't matter at all, but I'm (obviously) one of those that LUVS BC and cherish my (now repaired) 60 GB model.

And to me it's not that big a deal, I just wanna play God of War and maybe one day pick back up and try again at God of War II

[XundeadhunterX]

I have a feeling once the PS2 stops making new games SONY will start focus on the PS3; it makes perfect sence since SONY is making bank on the PS2 while they lose money on the PS3. But a firmare update allowing BC to the 40GIG, 80GIGv2, 160GIG (alledged non BC) and charge like 29.99 or somthing for it to help make up the price. I know my roomate who was sold a 40 GIG with a memory card adapter and even the dumb$hit BB employee said it has BC said he would pay for BC

[xtop]

Originally Posted by XundeadhunterX

I have a feeling once the PS2 stops making new games SONY will start focus on the PS3; it makes perfect sence

of course it makes perfect sense, when there are no more ps2 games, why wouldn't they focus on the ps3

but sony needs to hop to while the ps2 has a strong following. i wouldn't mind downloading a few games to be honest

[Turnda643]

regardless of what comes to us PS3 owners in the future ............ iam just glad i have a PS3 that can get a internet downloadable update to add new features to my system.

[sg2386]

I don't think its possible to make the 40GB play PS2 games, it doesn't have the PS2 GPU and CPU.

The 60GB and 20GB had both and the 80GB (MGS bundle) only has the CPU and not the GPU so BC is software emulated rather than hardware emulated.

The 40GB has none, so i don't think its possible via firmware.

[chnandler_bong]

Originally Posted by XundeadhunterX

I have a feeling once the PS2 stops making new games SONY will start focus on the PS3; it makes perfect sence since SONY is making bank on the PS2 while they lose money on the PS3. But a firmare update allowing BC to the 40GIG, 80GIGv2, 160GIG (alledged non BC) and charge like 29.99 or somthing for it to help make up the price. I know my roomate who was sold a 40 GIG with a memory card adapter and even the dumb$hit BB employee said it has BC said he would pay for BC

If it comes down to it, I would gladly pay for such a feature.

[xtop]

Originally Posted by sg2386

I don't think its possible to make the 40GB play PS2 games, it doesn't have the PS2 GPU and CPU.

The 60GB and 20GB had both and the 80GB (MGS bundle) only has the CPU and not the GPU so BC is software emulated rather than hardware emulated.

The 40GB has none, so i don't think its possible via firmware.

obviously an emulator would be needed, which i'm sure the ps3 would have no problem handling.

and the 80 is still part hardware emulated

[groovyone]

I thought I'd play my old PS2 games on my PS3, but I haven't. I played FFXII for a little while, and the PS2 Burnout games, but haven't in probably a year.

[WriteSimply]

BC on PS3-lite? Sure but not in October. PS2 hardware is still selling well so why fix something that is not broken? SCE also wants to sell MORE PS3 games instead of encouraging PS2 game sales.


fuad

[Icemage]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

BC on PS3-lite? Sure but not in October. PS2 hardware is still selling well so why fix something that is not broken? SCE also wants to sell MORE PS3 games instead of encouraging PS2 game sales.


fuad

True, but a PS2 compatible firmware would make it an easier transition for PS2 owners who haven't taken the next generation plunge yet (or are bored of their Wii if they own one). Anything that pushes more PS3 hardware is good for them right now. While I'm sure they like selling PS2 hardware, they most certainly would prefer selling PS3s.

[bhampton]

Hey,

I don't think BC on 40GB is going to happen.

The thing that may happen which has been mentioned already is some PS2 games may be released on PS Store that run on 40Gb. (The games will be re-coded somewhat to run on PS3 hardware.)

-Brian

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by Icemage

True, but a PS2 compatible firmware would make it an easier transition for PS2 owners who haven't taken the next generation plunge yet (or are bored of their Wii if they own one). Anything that pushes more PS3 hardware is good for them right now. While I'm sure they like selling PS2 hardware, they most certainly would prefer selling PS3s.

Sony wants it both ways and who could blame them. Releasing a PS2 BC firmware in October will accelerate the death of PS2 hardware sales and PS2 games, not to mention incurring the ire of PS2 developers. They'll release a BC firmware when they announce a PS4 is within 1-year from release and they have ceased producing PS2s.

There's still so much that PS3 firmware need to do for us PS3 owners like allowing Playlist for Videos! And LifeForPlaystation and PlayTV updates!

PS2 owners can transition to PS3 fairly easily with the 40GB/80GB-sans-BC. To me even that is a great deal: you get to play PS3/PS1 games and a media center that plays DVDs, CDs, digital audio files, photos and BDs.


fuad

[Icemage]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

Sony wants it both ways and who could blame them. Releasing a PS2 BC firmware in October will accelerate the death of PS2 hardware sales and PS2 games, not to mention incurring the ire of PS2 developers. They'll release a BC firmware when they announce a PS4 is within 1-year from release and they have ceased producing PS2s.

There's still so much that PS3 firmware need to do for us PS3 owners like allowing Playlist for Videos! And LifeForPlaystation and PlayTV updates!

PS2 owners can transition to PS3 fairly easily with the 40GB/80GB-sans-BC. To me even that is a great deal: you get to play PS3/PS1 games and a media center that plays DVDs, CDs, digital audio files, photos and BDs.

fuad

Uh, there's a big huge gaping hole in your logic here.

In order for PS2 users to transition to the PS3, they have to have a good reason to stay with the PlayStation brand other than nostalgia. Having backward compatibility is the KEY to retaining these people. Otherwise they have no particular reason to choose a PS3 over a Wii or an Xbox 360 since their existing software library will be equally useless on each machine.

In a very short span of time, there will be ZERO PS3 units on the market which have PS2 hardware in them.

So if these units can't be made to become backward compatible, why exactly are PS2 owners going to transition to a PS3 again (yes, I know, Blu-ray yadda yadda - these aren't early adopters we're talking about)?

[pBLU-RAYs3]

Originally Posted by Icemage

In order for PS2 users to transition to the PS3, they have to have a good reason to stay with the PlayStation brand other than nostalgia. Having backward compatibility is the KEY to retaining these people. Otherwise they have no particular reason to choose a PS3 over a Wii or an Xbox 360 since their existing software library will be equally useless on each machine.

So if these units can't be made to become backward compatible, why exactly are PS2 owners going to transition to a PS3 again (yes, I know, Blu-ray yadda yadda - these aren't early adopters we're talking about)?

I agree based on my own experience with backwards compatibility(bc). I was a Nintendo gamer all my life so a gamecube was an obvious choice. Never owned a playstation at that time. I waited until ps2 & xbox was out on the market for around 1 1/2 years. The ps2 bc was the deciding factor for me over xbox & I got to enjoy 30 or so games. That's how I became a playstation fan. This decision would be favored amongst casual gamers for the next 8 years.

[xtop]

and if bc hurt the next gen console like you're suggesting, why would they even bother doing it?

ps2 sold fine when the ps3 had bc

[mightypen]

Originally Posted by Icemage

Uh, there's a big huge gaping hole in your logic here.

In order for PS2 users to transition to the PS3, they have to have a good reason to stay with the PlayStation brand other than nostalgia. Having backward compatibility is the KEY to retaining these people. Otherwise they have no particular reason to choose a PS3 over a Wii or an Xbox 360 since their existing software library will be equally useless on each machine.

In a very short span of time, there will be ZERO PS3 units on the market which have PS2 hardware in them.

So if these units can't be made to become backward compatible, why exactly are PS2 owners going to transition to a PS3 again (yes, I know, Blu-ray yadda yadda - these aren't early adopters we're talking about)?

I agree with this. People can talk all they want about never touching their ps2 games once they got their ps3, but I think its tough to argue that they are in the same class of videogame consumers as those who bought the ps2 at 250 or 199 or even the wii at 250 and don't have the demand for high-end cutting edge graphics. I think you're far likelier to get them to jump in a bit higher this time, say 299, if their current library of ps2 greatest hits can still be used.

I guess the counter argument is that those who bought the ps2 at 199 will be quite a bit older when the ps3 hits that range (assuming it does) and perhaps will have graduated to more "refined" tastes in gaming.