Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida confirmed this earlier today when speaking to Endgadget. While the PS4 will have limited backwards compatibility via the console's cloud-streaming services, it won't transfer your game data and thus you won't be able to transfer your library of PSN games.
Update Submission updated to link to an article that actually properly quotes Yoshida on the topic at hand.
0°
10°
20°
10°
Ad 
30°
... and should make a huge dent in the confidence people have in digital-only purchases... :(
Yet another reason why I might leave Xbox and Playstation and go for a 'Steambox' next gen. At least with Steam you'll be pretty much guaranteed that your games will still be playable 15-20 years from now.
Steambox... that's the wild-card.
If we become vocal about this I'm sure they will reconsider and add it in. Hopefully by launch.
Just remember, we can be vocal, without whining and swearing (not saying you two were, just people in general). I highly doubt this will be true, as PSN is a massive part of the Sony platform, and they surely wouldn't abandon old games.
They will listen, I'm sure. Also, before any Xbox fans come in here, just remember, if Sony do this, you can bet your bottom dollar that MS will implement this as well. Let's be mature about this and let our voices be heard.
Would love for them to find a way, though. Gaikai could be what they need to make things work.
Also, with the new Xbox relying on essentially the same processor, don't expect it to have any backwards compatibility either. The difference being, Microsoft didn't buy Gaikai last year.
Don't cry doom yet folks, there's plenty of ways to get around this.
Thats really sucks. But its still to early to say. Maybe they will figure it out someway later.
i mean hell i just bought the crystal white limited edition of the ps3 and believe me im keeping that thing just paid $300 for it it has the 500g hard drive that is almost full already with downloads im just keeping it to still be able to play the games i want you cant make everyone happy. me personaly im completely fine with it because that means more power for next gen games i really want a next gen feel to my games. anyway with what the ps4 is packed with should last at least 15yrs of live if the ps3 could last this long no telling how long the ps4 will last and way in the future when the ps5 comes out it will just be a upgraded version of ps4 so there should be no reason why it wont have backwards compatable with ps4 games.
Backwards compatibility only matters at the beginning of the life cycle of the new console. When consoles first release there are not enough new games on the new console to cover all the genres. So people have to rely on old games.
LOL, dat beats dem consoles any day of da week!
And you can bet MS WON'T do this. They understand that Box Live accounts should be uniform across all platforms.
'That comment getting more than 1 agree reflects everything that is wrong with the N4g "community"'
This mirrors the time when Sony introduced "Online Passes" to curb used game sales, there wasn't very much of a peep at all from fans and that basically became the industry standard.
I think it is fine that the technology makes it difficult to transfer over, but at least consumers should have access to it over Gakai if the title is available over the cloud.
... won't last forever, cause it's disc-based. Sadly.
We all wish our consoles would have eternal lifes, and the NES certainly seems like it comes close, but for the last few generations, it's a given that our consoles will die on us.
Which is why so many of us really want proper backwards compatibility.
Luckily I don't have a very big PS3 library so I will be trading in my PS3 and all my games for a PS4 if I choose to get one...which after seeing last nights unveiling most likely will happen so long as last nights unveiling wasn't just another over promising and under delivering conference that Sony is so well known for.
I like the idea of streaming Sony PS1 to PS3 games since I am a huge fan of Jet Moto. Having the PS4 will allow me the great games of the past sony console generations.
I just got unlimited internet so the issues of going over a set limitation is no longer an issue for me. Constant streaming HERE I COME.
"so long as last nights unveiling wasn't just another over promising and under delivering conference that Sony is so well known for."
You mean Microsoft's conference's right? http://thebitfix.com/wp-con...
Last time I checked, most of Sony's conferences during E3, and Gamescom over the past few years have been very satisfying. Unless you are talking about their reveal of the PS3 which happened like 8 years ago? LMAO @ "ANOTHER" and "Sony is so well known for". XD
Then it's about not being able to emulate the cell, not the medium.
it cost under 20$(as low as 12$) to repair ps3 slims with brand new lens off ebay with all parts included tool,lens etc.
A healthy regimen of keeping your ps3 dust free and changing thermal paste every 6+ years ps3 could last as long as you have the know how of maintaining it.
besides ps3 isn't going anywhere soon until ps5 is almost announced lol
"Sorry your games is not compatible with this version of Steam. To solve this problem you will have to repurchase all your games over again"
Hate to be the guy who purchase 5-10+ or more games. Hopefully they can transfer your purchase. I swear this feel like the PSV-PSP bc all over again.
If you update steam then it renders your previous version useless. Upgrading to a ps4 doesn't render your previous playstation useless. You can still play your content on the ps3.
But I do agree it sucks...
... it seems you are having a problem realising that your PS3 will one day die on you, and if you can't buy a new PS3 in the store or the PS4 doesn't offer backwards compatibility, you will have lost a complete collection of games.
"The executive also said that the company aims to offer server-side and cloud services to offer a wider library of older games, but said that's one for the "longer term."
Lets face it guys, how many of you are still holding on to that many games from older systems? An even if you are, how many of those games are you readily popping in to play today? Of course I love nostalgia but Sony is trying to bring us the future and a lot of you are trying to hold onto the past.
"... it seems you are having a problem realising that your PS3 will one day die on you, and if you can't buy a new PS3 in the store or the PS4 doesn't offer backwards compatibility, you will have lost a complete collection of games."
It hasn't happened yet though. PS2s just went out of production a few months ago, and they aren't hard to find. PS1s did years ago, but we can play PS1 games on our PS3s. Nobody's collection has been lost or useless. We have options for every platform's games.
We've never encountered a scenario like what you're suggesting before. There's no reason to assume we will with Sony's track record. Odds are the PS4 can run PS1 and PS2 games. If I remember right, they only mentioned that the PS4 won't run PS3 games natively. I don't see why the PS4 couldn't emulate PS2 games the same way the PS3 did PS1 games.
The problem will likely be limited to PS3 games, only because the systems are so different. But who says we won't be able to play the PS3 on PS5, when the PS3 finally gets phased out? In the meantime, we will have PS3 consoles as an option.
I say quit spending all their energy complaining and do something to make themselves more marketable and thus worth more in the matketplace.
They should keep their playstation 3 until they can afford to upgrade.
I know some only want one system in their cabinets, shelves, etc - I get that, but most complaining are probabely financially strapped.
There has been no confirmation of details. It seems unjustified to ridicule them for Sony's mistake...
Inorite?!?!?!
I can understand having to re-DOWNLOAD the game in a different format for the PS4... but if Sony thinks I'm going to re-PURCHASE the digital content again, then I really have to question whether it's worthwhile investing in a company that wants to charge me full price multiple times for one product.
At this point, I just hope this bit of news is a misunderstanding.
This is good news now this system should be 400 bucks... (better be)
If the PS3 was $100 like the the PS2 was when the the PS3 released then BC wouldn't be that big of a deal. $100 is cheap enough for most people to buy one on impulse. Even teenager with a job only needed a few weeks of saving and he could just buy a new one. But the PS3 is still $300, seven years later, at $300 buying a PS3 is still a major purchase that has to be considered and weighed against other choices.
By the way we all know that they won't re-make PS3 games to be compatible with the PS4, not even over Gaikai. Even to work on a streaming service the game would still have to be remade. They may do it for a few big ones, but not for the vast majority of games.
... and should make a huge dent in the confidence people have in digital-only purchases... :( "
I swear I can't understand some peoples way of thinking. Oh boo-hoo, I have to buy my games again. How about you get a job or something, it's not Sony's responsibility to give you free games.Every one is always saying how piracy is destroying the industry because people aren't buying games , this is pretty much the same thing. If you like a game you NEED to support the developer and buy it, plain and simple. Nobody is putting a gun to your head and saying you have to buy the games , but if you want one you have to pay.This industry is turning into a bunch of freeloaders.
It has nothing to do with digital. I still have game on steam from 8 years ago..
In this case sony is the problem.
I know disagree.
On the whole it seems sony is headed in the right direction making this platform less of an enigma architechturely, liked the event, the games didnt wow me, but again its early and Im sure E3 is going to show some innovative games/ tech.
Gaikai streaming is one possible solution
For now, just keep your ps3 to play your ps3 and psn games.
...Im almost 100% sure that's whats gonna happen, if downloading really isn't an option. I mean we have the proof of purchase on our accounts since we purchased the games from the Playstation Store. There's no reason why we'd have to re-buy them honestly lol.
It wouldnt need the cell to stream it with Gaikai lol
You wouldn't even need to download it.
Similar to how i can play Sleeping Dogs on ultra settings on my phone with OnLive.
I like Axecution's suggestion. Our games should be tied to our accounts allowing us to play them via the PS4 streaming if we have already purchased them. Otherwise Sony is at a disadvantage compared to Valve because every gen you lose your library....
Then again I purchased all the games like ICO/SotC, God of Wars, GTAs, DMCs, MGSs back on the PS2 and didn't get free versions when they were re-released on the PS3 so if they do new versions with updated graphics then i see no harm in having to repurchase those. I myself do not repurchase games i already own on older consoles tho.
My suggestion to fellow PS3 gamers: Buy an external harddrive and backup all of your data. I bought both a 1TB external and a 1TB internal for $70 each last Black Friday. Transferring everything over was a breeze.
Luckily only 11/62 of the games i've purchased were over PSN.
Although I would also be missing a ton of DLC.
Yeah i'm not too happy that you don't get to keep your PS3 content.
They better at least transfer over our trophy accounts.
This is exactly why I purchase my stuff on disc. All this digital download crap only benefits their bottomline. It doesn't make stuff easier for us and once they shut down the old system, you lose it all. I like to go back and replay my older games.
Except, if they go the Gaikai route, then your Discs would be useless and your dowloads would still work :p
...so technically, downloads could a lot actually be better in this case.
If i could download all my PS2 games on my PS3 i'd be so happy xD
We'll most likely be able to stream them, but Sony better transfer those purchases rather than make us rebuy them.
You do realize the Wii is immensely weaker than the PS3/360 right? I mean, there are already some somewhat working emulators for the Wii on PC but emulating the PS3/360 is years away. It's not as easy as you think especially when it comes to the PS3's radically different architecture. The Wii U basically has a Wii built into it which is what allows it to run Wii games.
haha i totally agree with you just thought i'd share this anyway >.>
http://ps3.emulatorx.info/
BTW Zero, I know you're interested in the Sony share price, but didn't see you in the thread about the price "jumping" up since the PS4 announcement, so here's a link for your convenience: http://n4g.com/news/1178311...
Exciting times! Roll on more next gen announcements ;)
As for online purchases, that's a shame.
But I've never bought a new console to play old games.
I get bored of old games and want the next best thing.
I've played to death all my ps3 titles anyway.
But for everyone else, the problem needs solving.
Insert a ps1/ps2 disk in ps3, do you get the psn version for free?
You can use that to stream games you own.
The doom and gloom for PS4 is already picking up steam. Way to go, N4G.
so it should be safe to assume it will work with the ps4 and keep track of it all
There goes my walking dead choices, hopefully telltale will give me a way of inputting the decisions I've made for season 2.
I'm one of those people that use my older console to help pay for the next console, so its gonna suck losing those games I've paid for.
I just hope sony can recognize my purchase history and allow me to access those games again through their cloud without having to buy them again. Unless access to the cloud service is behind a paywall of sorts, then I will have to pay to access them.
more questions than answers i guess, time will tell, I am cautiously optimistic that sony will do good by its customers.
"Sony will only bring across games that don't guzzle the latest console's power in emulation."
They make a leap in logic here or wrote this article very poorly so as to not actually quote him on saying that PSN specifically are excluded from emulation.
i'd imagine they could get most psn games to run on it
either way my ps3 isn't going anywhere
like my xbox, ps2, gamecube, dreamcast, genesis, etc
It's been mentioned above but I really hope we get the ability to stream anything we've previously purchased via Gaikai.
We dont know how far Gaikai is in terms of achieving ps1,ps2 or even ps3 emulation. I say we wait till E3 when more info about Gaikai,PS4 and psn gets out.
Before Gaikai went down i played a demo of Witcher 2 on the service i had no lag and the visuals were mid to high settings.
If they can do that who says they cant atleast stream ps2 games? I think Sony is just very careful of not overpromising things till they know it works 100% and with good reliability.
Whew
I was afraid that this might happen. But as long as you dont get rid of your PS3 everything should be fine.
@Cocozero
"I got a feeling you will have to rebuy all your ps3 games again if you want to play them on ps4"
Cant disagree with that but the easy solution is to keep your PS3.
I can understand the non BC because of the hardware change, but not transferring peoples saves etc?
Xbox has one up on them with the cloud storage on this one, moving to new hardware should be seemless, SONY should make this a priority.
Well good for you, how about the rest of us.
well, they aren't gonna take my ps3... fair enough.
With the PS3 so the digital games made for the psn, even though the network cross platform, will simply not work. This is where the Gaikai tech will come in handy and will help to alleviate that issue. Still I plan on keeping my ps3 and I've never purchased a console solely to play last gen games. And after seeing Watchdogs, KZ:ShadowFall, inFamous:Second Son and Knack Im more thrilled about the next gen than playing Last Gen PS3 games on the console.
I simply can't wait.
I could understand disc based games, OK, but digital games!!!
Not happy!