Backwards Compatibility: A Lost Art Form

While the PS4's backwards compatibility mess is troubling, this trend is nothing new. What happened to making systems backwards compatible? And what can Sony do to fix this problem for the PS4?

[fluffydelusions]

The problem is they went from cell -> x86. Though that isn't exactly a problem but a smart move as it's easier for developers to take advantage of. BC will not work but maybe gaikai will remedy this to some extent. Not sure, we'll see.

[JoGam]

Guys let it go, traditional backwards compatibility is gone. Get over it. Im more interested in the cloud gaming aspects of PS4. No one will be playing their old games six months to years down the line anyway. REAL TALK.

[fluffydelusions]

"No one will be playing their old games six months to years down the line anyway. REAL TALK."

That's not true at all. For instance, personally my PS3 broke last year and I've yet to replace because I'm content with PC gaming scene till next gen. I'd be lying if I were to say I'm not going to miss playing TLOU and Beyond. Definitely getting PS4 day 1 and would love to play on PS4 at some point.

[JoGam]

When i say no one i mean not enough to investin the tech . Dude I spent $599 on the PS3 day one and only used the backwards compatibility a few times. Not enough to say i got my money's worth.

[Shadow Flare]

"What happened to making systems backwards compatible?"

Gaikai? Everything, everywhere?

We don't have all the details yet, if Sony can make a system which knows which discs you've already bought, then allow you to stream them for free, there's your solution.

Having access to the entire PlayStation library and being able to stream any ps game ever on console and portable is the best backwards compatibility system we've ever had

[M2-]

lol, and if you have no internet access? Not even PSN games will be backwards compatible on the PS4 neither will saved game data.

[smashcrashbash]

That hasn't been confirmed at all.And think about it from a business perspective. If they made the PS4 backwards compatible it would take away from PS3 sales.If the PS4 could play PS3 games too. They would have hundreds of unsold PS3s.No one has an obligation to cater to the last system.I am sure they would rather concentrate on making games for the PS4 rather then trying to add hardware to play PS3 discs.It's not like tey aren't giving us any options at all

[MysticStrummer]

So you believe PS4 will be able to stream PS3 games just by putting the disc in, but you don't think it will be possible to stream PSN games that are attached to your account? That makes very little sense.

[khellendros1]

I don't understand what the big deal is. True backwards compatibility was only available for one generation. That was on the PS2. People act like it's been something we've always had.

[MysticStrummer]

A lost art form? Has BC been around long enough to use that overly dramatic phrase? Personally I never played my PS1 games once I bought a PS2, and never played my PS2 games once I bought a PS3, so I don't care.

[Pintheshadows]

I only used my fat 60gb backwards compatibilty feature once. For FF12. Honestly when I buy a new console i'm looking to play new games. If you want to carry on playing PS3 games and your PSN downloads keep your PS3. It isn't difficult. And if you want to complain about a feature that people scream for and then don't bother using keep doing it. I'll just shrug and carry on.

I got over it when my Megadrive cartridges wouldn't fit in my Saturn's disctray.

[stephmhishot]

I still have an original Phat 60 GB (well now its 750GB) PS3 and the damn thing is so sexy, I can't imagine ever trading it in towards the purchase of a PS4. BC issue solved.