The PS4 Might Never Have True Backwards Compatibility: Here's Why and What Sony Could Do

Microsoft announced backwards compatibility for the Xbox One at its E3 press conference, and preview members are already enjoying it with a number of Xbox 360 of games.

The PS4 might never have the same feature, and this article explains why and what Sony could do to work around the issue.

[BitbyDeath]

BC is great when you start a new gen but who has time to play old games now when there are a ton of new games waiting to be played?

[Lucreto]

It would have been great a year ago but it is not needed now. It's a nice feature but completely irrelevant at this stage.

[donthate]

That would seem like a service like PS Now that only offers older games as irrelevant?

No?

Personally, I like to play some of the older games that do not have an equivalent new one yet.

[NeoGamer232]

Last generation saw 275,000,000 consoles sold between 360, Wii and PS3. This generation only 40,000,000 have been sold so far.

While BC means nothing to early adopters who are willing to spend $400 on a new console, BC is important to some people who are waiting for the console prices to drop and want to play their existing game library while next gen games are just coming out at $60 per game.

[kneon]

It's not completely irrelevant, but it is far less important than it would have been at launch. There are just too many games coming out now to bother with those old games.

[Nirvana31591]

I have a PS3 sitting next to my PS4 if I want to play old games. Besides Microsoft tried BC with the 360 and failed because most publishers didn't want their games to be compatible. I don't see it being any different this time

[Cupid_Viper_3]

I will never truly understand how a community can simultaneously decry remakes/remasters while making Halo MCC one the XBOX One's highest selling games.

I will also never understand how Phil Spencer can say that they will not charge gamers for games they already own, announce BC and Gears of War ultimate edition at the same conference.

It's almost twilight zone-ish...

[Lng101010]

@NeoGamer232: "While BC means nothing to early adopters who are willing to spend $400 on a new console, BC is important to some people who are waiting for the console prices to drop and want to play their existing game library while next gen games are just coming out at $60 per game."

What are you talking about? If they're waiting for current gen console prices to drop, why does BC matter?

[ELE_Victim]

Nirvana - how did BC on the 360 fail, when at the end roughly 450 titles, including most of the biggest games, were backwards compatible?

[catinthehat]

Sony cares about it's gamers that's why we get remasters instead of just playing in drab last gen graphics

[WelkinCole]

@donthate

PS Now is a streaming service. That it streams old games for now is because it is a new service. PS4 games will find their way to it eventually.

PS now is for those that want to stream games and eventually play them on their TV's, tablets etc.

BC is for those that want to play their old game collection on their new consoles.

Two completely different things.

[MysticStrummer]

@Neo - What you said there makes very little sense.

OT - I couldn't care less and the same goes for every single gamer I personally know. We all thought BC was a great idea when PS2 did it but never used the feature. By the time PS3 released with BC it wasn't a big deal anymore so the fact that PS4 doesn't have it is equally meaningless.

[Yetter]

Then why so many remasters on the schedule for all companies??

[stragomccloud]

That's justifying losing the ability to play older games, which is allowing companies to stop supporting their older products. Way to give Sony a pass to rape its customers. I always like being able to play older games without hooking up another system. That's one of the benefits of PC gaming.

[bloop]

For someone that didn't have PS+ last gen I for one would love BC on the ps4. There's a few games I missed out on last gen that have been free on the PS3 on + but I gave my PS3 away when I got the ps4. I wish I could play those games on the ps4.

[pyroxxx]

Totally agree,.. last gen I only used my PS3 fat with BC compatibility twice during entire generation (and even then ICO and GOW got remastered for PS3) ,..

I get it for Souls games,.. but then again DS2 got remastered as well,..And PS4 has Bloodborne anyway,..

[morganfell]

@donthate,

If you want to play those older games go ahead. Did you not own them already? Then they aren't free. Did you toss out the original console? That's on you. Did you come here just to find fault with Sony? Yeah.

[subtenko]

What.....heres what sony could do? We been known what they have done and what they are doing... They had full BS on OG ps3, limited (like xbox) on neo ps3, and PS now (more selection) than xbox its a service but Im not playing old games most of the time on my ps4...if ya really dont have an older ps system, go on ebay...buy it for $20...u want it that bad...

[4Sh0w]

This is n4g.

-You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that Xbox fanboys will swear BC is a huge game changer because they are gonna start playing tons of old 360 games with many next gen releases coming= nah, if you're that into 360 games you have a 360 hooked up right now..*I will give 'em points though because being able to consolidate on 1 system is highly convenient.

-You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that because ps4 does NOT have BC a lot of Sony fanboys are going to swear it's irrelevant= yeah OK, same folks jumping for joy for Uncharted Collection, I'd buy some of my favorite games remastered too(MCC) but it still points to wanting to play old games again.

-The TRUTH is almost always somewhere in the middle: BC is important because even hardcore gamers like to re-play a few old games every now&then (I rarely want to but some games are special) and if you do NOT NEED your old system to do so that's even better. As for the average gamer its very important to folks like late adopters, budget conscious gamers, & casual gamers, because they CAN SAVE MONEY with a trade in, while they continue playing many last gen favorites along with 1 or 2 next gen games they upgraded for and *slowly they can cross over as their next gen library grows.

-lol, but yeah this is n4g, where the denial is half the fun.

[Hereiamhereibe2]

For real, backwards compatability is a complete waste of time. Especially considering PS4s amazing library. Besides most people still have there PS3 anyways.

[reallyNow]

@donthate

BC != PS Now. The main reason being PS Now is playable on things that aren't a playstation 4. PS TV, PS4, PS3, other TVs. It's like comparing netflix to a VCR/DVD combo box.

[BG11579]

The Xbone doesn't have true Backwards compatibility.
It's emulating the 360. You cannot play all the games from the 360 natively on the Xbone.

[BattleAxe]

Exactly, who has time to play the Uncharted Trilogy or God of War 3 Remastered when you've got games like Killzone Shadow Fall and Infamous Second Sun.

[Software_Lover]

Touche'

[Eonjay]

Surly not me... I still have get past the Master Chief Collection and Gears Ultimate Edition.

[BitbyDeath]

The 2 PS4 games you mentioned are quite old now, but if you didn't get a PS4 at launch then I could see your point.

[StormLegend]

The people that never had a PS3 does, but not for the one's like me, who played those on PS3.

I buy new systems to play new games! the only remaster I've bought was the Last of Us. I regretted not paying for it last gen. It had slipped by me...

Me and many other's are buying new games this fall.

We don't need BC anymore. It's not even that big of a deal.. Most of you guys still have your last gen consoles.

[WelkinCole]

The 40% of PS4 owners that don't have PS3.

Hardcore fans of those franchise that want upgraded graphics on the PS4.

Not hard to understand yes?.

[MysticStrummer]

Remastered games as compared to the older versions. Not the same thing at all.

[UltraNova]

@ welkin

How exactly are those 40% ps4 new comers entitled to BC?

Isn't it unfair for former ps3 owners who actually paid full price for those ps3 games for those newcomers to pay 5-10 bucks for used ps3 gamers?

I say PS NOW is perfect for those ps4 newcomers, since it without BC I paid far less for my ps4 than I would normally and I kept my ps3 because I would hate it if I was stuck playing BC games at 10fps! And lets face it not all publishers will agree with MS decision.

[REDDURT]

Unlike the Xbox 360 the ps3 still has games coming out so I keep mine.

[BattleAxe]

Well I believe that Xbox 360 did get Titanfall and will soon be getting Rise of the Tomb Raider, among others. Will you be buying the new Tomb Raider game this holiday season?

[REDDURT]

Didn't buy the last one got it free thanx to ps plus. Enjoy it will buy the real version on ps4.

[brainfart]

The(real version )as you said would actually be on pc!!! Play above 1080 @ 60 fps and up:-)

[kaizokuspy]

@battle axe

Tomb raider and titan fall comparison is irrelevant. The ps3 still gets exclusive jrpg and other games that aren't coming to ps4 or xbox one, or any other console or pc. That's the point of keeping a ps3 still. If you want an xbox one or for anyone that matter, just save your money from January until novemeber bc your games don't come out until then anyways. Jesus, I only fan boy bitch, not because I hate xbox one, but because of all the potential new players who could be enjoying a better experience and customer satisfaction on ps4. Ms is doing all they can to catch up to sony but there's nothing impressive about the one anymore. Ps4 does just about everything the xbox one does but better.

Voice command for your console?
gimmicky kinect $150
ps headset out the box. $0

Suspend/resume? Shareplay? Flashsales? Ps plus discounts? Built in rewards program? Deals like, spend $100 get $15 added to your account? Al a Carte tv subscription service? Listens to its base by up votes and down votes in community ideas? Morpheus VR is coming, not some occulus rift that requires your xbox and pc to stream games to it and not true vr? Doesn't waste time with BC bc it is a niche and when consumers make the leap, they want 60 fps. You going to play 360 bf4 on Xbox one? Or buy the new? Whatever you do, whatever console or pc you decide. It's time to let 7 year old games die, unless they get remastered with 60 fps, achievements/trophies and bonus content. I complain at those with your thought process because you are delusional if you think any business practice ms has tried to build the past 3 years has been good for gamers. Poor Phil spencer has been working his juts off. Announces BC and shows hololens which will be a wasted venture bc VR is the next step not hololens. You and other xbox gamers are getting shafted and you are too delusional to see it. You scream at me fanboy, and all I want to do is save many gamers like you from hindering your hobby and keeping you from experiencing the best.

/rant

[gfk342]

BC is great if it works properly too.

As it stand now, BC from MS still needs a lot of work seeing DF's analysis.

http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...

No one wants to have BC palying last gen games in low 10s (as it runs Mass Effect on X1).

Even if payable, at least PS NOW keeps a solid frame rate.

[Elit3Nick]

Bear in mind that this is the first public build of BC, it will improve by the time it gets out of beta

[Tony-A]

Personally, I think that was a great announcement made by MS. To be honest, it seemed like the biggest thing they had at E3, which is saying something considering no one seems to be talking about their current gen games instead.

It's a shame, but it shows you how nostalgia can sometimes overshadow new ideas. A case made clear during Sony's conference as well, where the 3 biggest of the 15,000 surprises they had were older titles gamers we're begging to see in a new light.

BC is nice, but PSNow will do fine (as soon as PS1 and PS2 games are available).

[ELE_Victim]

Nice trilling there. If there's a spot in Mass Effect that momentarily drops to low fps in the BETA stages of BC, that immediately means the whole game runs like that? Gotta love people doing their hardest to downplay MS..

[Kiwi66]

You do know that its only in beta so there will be early issues but hey lets just trash something for the sake of it plus i find it funny how ps only gamers are happy to pay to play old ps3 games and yet they downplay something that is free

[Kingoftherodeo]

at least one of them is free,works and in beta

[Retroman]

@ gfk342

what the HELL is "palying and payable " was you loaded on beer typing haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa . or did you forget how to spell "PLAYING" "PLAYABLE"

[Davi123]

I really don't understand the point of PS Now is considered BC! PS Now are only getting old games, but Sony didn't make it having in mind BC. It isn't obvious yet to everyone if you have in consideration that PS Now is for working in smart tvs, tablets, etc, that this service is for the casual market?

[OldDude]

@GT67

The word is were, not was. If you're going to insult someone at least try to hold up your own end.

[smalltowngamer503]

Wow, does everyone really only ever play a game once and never go back to them? Or do playstation fans just never go back to play them. What's with all the excitement for FF7 if you don't like to play old games?

[Cupid_Viper_3]

I think most PlayStation fans still have working PS3s, so going back involves simply pressing the input button on the TV's remote.

[BitbyDeath]

Which are you referring?
The FF7 Remake (announced at E3 2015) is exciting because it is being remade with new everything.

The FF7 remaster (announced at PSX 2014) is not as exciting as it is just an upscaled version of the same game we have all played ported from PC.

[kneon]

The old PS3 games that I go back and play could be counted on one hand, with fingers left over. I'm too busy with new games.

[GravelerMagnitude9]

There are factors that determine if someone would be willing to play a game they have beaten over again.

1.There may not be time to if that person has to go to work everyday.

2. there are other games that a person haven't beaten yet.

3.Some feel accomplished enough after 1 playthrough.

FF7 is being remade not remastered. Built from ground up. So its not an old game.

Nothing is wrong with playing old games, but your main purpose for buying an xbox one, ps4, or pc is for the games coming out later.

[meatnormous]

I still have my ps1, ps2, ps3. I have an XBONE but my 360 died quite awhile ago. I was happy to hear of BC for 360 games because of one game that cannot be played anywhere else,Ace Combat 6 fires of liberation. I have all my old consoles cause BC isn't the same as playing it on its original console. I was a huge socom fan and trying to play socom 2 on ps3 was not fun. FF5 doesn't work well on my ps2. I hope the BC on the XBONE works out so I don't have to buy a 360 to enjoy the one game I loved for the system.

[starchild]

@Cupid_Viper_3

This might make sense to a hardcore Sony fan that probably only has a Ps3 and PS4 hooked up to their TV, but a lot of gamers have multiple consoles of different brands. I have a gaming PC, PS4 and PS3 hooked up to my TV. Until about 9 months ago I also owned a 360 (I still have some Xbox 360 games though). Having the devices I have hooked up is already cluttered enough. I wouldn't want it any more cluttered. The fact I can get an Xbox One and play my 360 games on it is an attractive proposition for sure. I don't know why some people are trying to downplay it.

@ Bit by death

Yeah, but it's still fundamentally the same game, right? I mean, that's what console fanboys always say when they want to downplay the superior graphics on PC for multiplats. "It might look and run better but it's still basically the same game", they say.

FFVII might be remade with more up to date graphics, but it's fundamentally going to be the same game. Otherwise what's the point? Fanboys of that game will riot if the devs mess with the core experience too much. And why even call it Final Fantasy VII if it changes into something else?

[BitbyDeath]

@starchild, the main story should remain intact but I wouldn't be surprised if they made a few new additions or changes to parts of it. A remaster wouldn't have this luxury.

[Cupid_Viper_3]

@ Starchild

I can't speak for everyone and claim that no one is trying to downplay it. There are clearly those who will and have tried to. On that same token, I'm not sure why some are overplaying it, claiming it to be a game changer, etc. In my opinion, it is nothing more than "nice option" and mainly because of convenience.

To me a bigger deal than BC is the fact that PS4 has 100 more games out than the XBOX One in the same time frame. That is not a good trend, and BC doesn't solve that issue.

Shareplay is another thing that is head and shoulders above BC for me. I can play games I don't own and make up my mind about if it is worth my money or not. I can participate and play a friend's game without owning or having to shell out a single coin for the game. BC doesn't answer that.

I Have already used shareplay way more than I have used BC for the past 2 generations combined (PS2 and PS3). I don't own NBA 2K15, but I play it fairly regularly with a buddy of mine. I own Fifa 15 and he doesn't and we get to share that quite often too. And we do the same thing for a bunch of other smaller titles that he wants me to try, and vice versa.

BC is a very nice feature to have, there's no denying that. The same way one can't deny that the perfect timing for this feature would have been November 2013, at launch. Generally, console adoption is slowest during the first year on the market. Unless you have a runaway successes like the PS4 or the Wii.

At this point, you could question if Microsoft are desperate to stop 360 owners from going to the PS4. Because it appears that not enough of them are sold on the XBOX One. You can argue that if Xbox One has already seen a $150 price drop, plus Halo, Forza, Call of Duty, Assassin's Creed, BF4, Destiny, and a few more heavy hitters which were really popular on the Xbox 360, then what are those Xbox 360 owners waiting for? Because every month, Sony is taking in 1 million new gamers, while Xbox is bringing about a quarter of that number.

I doubt there are a lot of Xbox 360 owners that are waiting for "Xbox 360 games" to make jump on the XBox One.

[kaizokuspy]

@smalltown ff7 is getting a remake. Reimagined, different battle system, changes to the story etc. Ps4 is getting the ff7hd pc port supposedly this winter as well as the remake in the future.

[PlayableGamez]

So by your logic, PS Now is render useless on PS4?

[BitbyDeath]

In future PSNow is said to get brand new PS4 games on it but til then point still stands, why play old games when you bought a new console and have a zillion new games that you could otherwise play?

[joab777]

We don't need it. Yeah, we would love to say it's possible, or on a random night be able to have some nostalgic moment, but I'd rather Sony do something else. Put the time into Now. Or remake Demon Souls. I have my PS3 and 360 anyway b/c they do more than play games. If ya feel ya have to do something, give PS+ owners 1 Now game a month to play, or a discount on PSN downloads etc.

[pompombrum]

Memories? I still have my original copies of FF Anthology - 9 on my PS1 and still keep my slimline PS2 under my tv. I don't think it seems like a big thing but for people who like to replay older games from time to time, it's a convenient option as it saves space on needing both consoles, just like how I only need my PS2 for both my PS1 and PS2 collection.

[themonado]

It's a good feature to have when you're waiting for the games you want

[Clover904]

Especially now, with all of these huge open-world games. Just this year we have Bloodborne, The Witcher 3, Arkham Knight, Metal Gear Solid V, Fallout 4, Persona 5 (okay, P5 isn't open-world, but it's still going to be huge)

[PersonMan]

I don't like any of those games you listed.

[medman]

@bitbydeath
You're not lying...I've still got my ps3 and 360, and the only time they get booted up is when I watch netflix, a blu ray, or the espn xbox app...my backlog of current gen games is already pretty long, and getting longer with each month that goes by due to psplus download titles. I haven't bought an xbone yet, and I'm not sure if I will, but for me, backwards compatibility is an absolute non-factor, and most of my friends are in the same boat I am. In fact, I can't think of any console I've ever bought where I didn't move on from the last gen pretty quickly...it's nice to think of going back and playing old games, but personally I don't know many people who do.

[Lennoxb63]

Its not that being able to play older games is a big deal. Having the OPTION to is the big deal. You may not play your older games but there are lots of people that still do. Nobody can ignore that fact.

[Spotie]

lmfao. If being able to play the older games isn't a big deal, nor is having the option. Being a good feature to have doesn't make it a big deal. Power windows are great on a new car, but they're not a big deal. The option of having power windows is no bigger.

Can't believe people agreed with that nonsense.

Oh, and I play my older games. Still have my PS3, my PS2, my SNES, right along with a 360 and a PS4, a 3DS, and a Vita. BC is nice, but most people would have kept their old hardware- especially if they still have the games- so BC suddenly showing up some two years after the new generation of consoles release is FAR from a big deal.

[andibandit]

@spotie

"Still have my PS3, my PS2, my SNES, right along with a 360 and a PS4, a 3DS, and a Vita. BC is nice"

Seriously if i had that shit out, I think i would still be single.

[magiciandude]

@Hicken

Coming from the same individual who defends remasters and PSNow...

It's one of the most requested features among Xbox One owners. "FAR from a big deal." You're laughably inconsistent with everything. Whenever Sony does something, it's a big deal. Whenever MS does something similar, you go straight to downplay everything about it.

[Lennoxb63]

.

[Letthewookiewin]

Honestly Bitby, I don't have time to play old games. I already have a backlog I'm never going to get to. Ya it's nice it's there but it's not so people need to move on. And the rumors coming in about X1's ability to run old games decently isn't a good sign already.

[nitus10]

Well I am going to agree and disagree on this one. Some so called old games are classics and still fun to play although that is being subjective. Having BC at the start of the new gen is IMHO a great means of getting people to purchase your new console since they can carry over their old last gen games. This was my main reason for purchasing a PS2 and later the BC PS3.

Yes there are a ton of new games for the PS4 but IMHO there are so many that are just a regurgitation of the original game. Where is the new IP? that to me is more important.

I have a BC PS3 and some of the so called old PS2 games are really fun to play and there is nothing like them for the later consoles. Even for the PS3 there are still new games coming out for it and there are hundreds of games in many genres that are still fun (again subjective).

As for the PS4 I don't see enough games that I would like that would give me a reason to buy it. I won't deny that there are some games that I would like to play on the PS4 but I still have a backlog of games that I am still playing on the PS3.

[magiciandude]

Other than PS1 and PS2 games, there isn't much Sony can do apart from what's happening now: remasters and PSNow. That, and keep supporting the PS3 until the PS5 is announced, hopefully, with BC for PS3 and PS4 titles.

BC is among the most requested of features, and for many gamers it is the most important feature besides playing Xbox One games. Xbox One is great for a media center, but BC is for gaming. That's why is still great regardless how old the games are. The free Xbox 360 games included with major AAA releases will give the PS4 a run for its money here in the US, Canada, UK, and some other parts of the world.

PSNow only works in areas with a good enough internet connection, and why would anyone think Sony is willing to let you stream games for free even if you bought it digitally? Let's keep it real...

[Paulino30]

Keyword "waiting". I have time now. Especially when the only new triple A release is batman

[Conzul]

Why keep reading old books when there are new ones being written? Boy, I feel so stupid.

[FACTUAL evidence]

Lol smh. All these people saying we don't need/have time for BC are the same people who bought ps1 classics lol. Sony fans really start to annoy me when it comes to features they don't have. You never really need it or want it when it's not on a sony console. Perfect example, party chat on ps3. Party chat was an entirely ridiculous idea when it wasn't on a sony platform. If sony would of announced this it would of been the best e3 in the last 10 years. Just saying though, BC is always welcomed. It's funny i'm playing deadspace 2 on my ps3 too atm. Would be nice playing it on my ps4, but meh, who plays games from last gen anyways?

[OCEANGROWNKUSH]

PS4 wont be backwards compatible because the cell architecture is radically different, and far more complex than the x86 architecture they used for the ps4. Lets take a look historically at backwards compatibility...

PS1 games are supported by the PS2/PS3/PSP/Vita. Take a look at the specs of the PS1 they are extremely low and was emulated even back in the 90's with Bleem.

PS2 games are supported by 2 early models of the PS3. The first model was hardware based with the PS2's emotion engine inside the console, compatibility was generally good with some games having some technical issues. This naturally was part of what made the PS3 so damn expensive at launch, and so to cut costs Sony scrapped the hardware emulation for software emulation which brings us to the second model. The second model that supported PS2 games did so via software emulation, unlike the first model many games had a number of technical issues and so Sony scrapped it altogether.

PS3 games cannot be emulated on a PS4. Its pretty simple if powerhouse PC's cannot emulate the complexity of the PS3 what makes you think the PS4 which is essentially a mid range PC would be able to? Sure Sony knows the ins and outs of the PS3, but that doesnt make the PS4 any more powerful. This in my opinion is a non issue, the only people this truly affects are those who cannot afford the price tag of next gen and need to trade in their PS3.

I personally have my original PS3 and PS4 hooked up side by side, and with those 2 machines i can play 99.9% of the games released in Playstation's 20 year history.

[SeanScythe]

MS adding BC to the X1 means only one thing. They are about to stop production of the 360. Unlike sony where they still support and produce the PS3, MS is going to stop selling them and to make the remaining games have value they will allow you to play them on X1.

[GameForever]

They certainly dropped the Xbox 1 like a cold potato when the Xbox 360 was released.

[GameForever]

PS4 gamer's, BC is nice feature for free.

Xbox One gamer's, BC is nice but not as big a deal as you want to believe.

If the PS4 has the games someone want to play their not going to say but Xbox One has BC I better get that. Most people won't even bother with it, I've never bought a console because it has BC. I've owned all of them.

[RedSoakedSponge]

EXACTLY. maybe if we got it when we had that next gen game drought. but now theres loads of stuff to play!

[frostypants]

Here's the thing: they DID NOT announce backwards compatibility for the One. Why do people keep saying this? They announced a software emulator, not unlike console emulators you might see for the PC, for which they will release downloadable versions of SOME 360 games. It's not the same thing as BC at all. Let's hold judgement until we see what games come over and how well they run.

[Kidmyst]

Exactly, when the PS3 first came out I had a Phat 60Gb and played FF12 for a while but once the games grew I only played PS3 games, was hard enough to keep up. Now with PS4 my Son plays my PS3 and I moved it to a different TV.

[Lucreto]

I would like to see something like PlayStation TV but for BC.

A hardware device that has the PS1, PS2 and PS3 technology in it to run the old disc based games and a HDD to play the digital versions of the games.

Then you can stream it to the PS4, connect it by USB stick or through HDMI on the TV.

[joab777]

It's called Now. Thats why they won't do it. But I get what you mean. Would you sell your PS1, PS2, and PS3 for a machine that plays those games. It would be very hard to make such a machine, and I dunno if anyone would buy it. Also, it would go against their Now intentions.

[nitus10]

Actually it would be fairly easy for Sony to provide software emulation for PS1 and PS2 games on the PS4 since that has already been done for the PC. Implementing software compatibility for PS3 games well that is not going to be easy unless you are getting the digital download and for some PS3 games they are many Giga Bytes.

Even if BC was implemented for PS1 and PS2 games how many people still have their original game disks?

[REDDURT]

I don't care anymore maybe 2 years ago. Keep your old consoles.

[AutoCad]

So everyone that was on PS NOW hype train now thinks xbox bc is trash..funny how things work..and to prove my point look at the disagrees ill get.

[HawaiianDreads]

I don't think anyone think it's trash, it's just not that big of a deal now since we're moving 2 years into the consoles life cycle. At this time people are looking forward to new games. Is it a nice feature to have? Most definitely, but is it a big deal like everyone is making it out to be? Not really in my opinion, because if it was such a big deal why wasn't everyone praising the Wii-U for having it at the beginning?

[joab777]

Wrong. I just think Sony should remain invested in Now, working to bring down the price and keep adding games. As mobiles get better, I can't wait to have a mobile Now app. It's future is very bright, and much more than 1 gen BC.

[JohnWayne_]

PS NOW is not just a BC service like all the xbots keep saying, it is more like Netflix but instead of movies its games. I want to know does this new xbox BC allow to play your old games on just a tv with out a console because playstation now does. Samsung already has a deal with sony to have the ps now app loaded on some of there smart TV's. PS now will also be on tablets and other supported devices, so I don't see why it is brought into this discussion everytime xbot fans want to praise this BC. Also its already been stated by MS that not all games will be supported and it is up to the developers to allow games to be made BC. Also think about all the games that weren't digitally supported last gen, now who is going to spend money on let say two to four year old games to convert them over to digital downloads, MS I think not and I doubt any devs are going to give up the time and resources to do that.

[frostypants]

Can I call both trash? Well, not trash, just pointless unless you still played those games and your old systems broke. Though I guess it's nice for One/PS4 owners to have the chance to play last-gen games if they don't own those consoles (I assume the One thing will let you pay for the download if you don't have the disc). Also, the Xbox One thing isn't actual BC, it's a software emulator that you need to download the games for.

[WizzroSupreme]

No matter if it's a technical problem or not, Sony just doesn't need it to sell PS4s and if that's their bottom line, don't expect any different. Microsoft needed it to win over 360 gamers they lost to Sony, not vice versa.

[Software_Lover]

I like this version of BC because ALL OF MY DIGITAL GAMES will also be included. I will not have to rebuy or pay to play anything that I already have.

Even if I never touch those games again, the option is always there to just start up Mass Effect, will all the functionality of the X1, and have a great time.

[deadpoolio316]

I think you mean some...They can say all, all they want the fact is not everyone is going to give them permission...Some publishers might have remasters planned i.e. the people voting for games like Arkham Asylum or City there is already a remaster planned for the end of this year, some publishers may have lost the license and its not in their power to give permission, maybe they went out of business and some of them MS just will not care about.....

[TheKingslayer]

True...

[SoapShoes]

I wouldn't mind PS1/PS2 native support. Don't care for PS3 although it would be nice if possible.

[nitus10]

The trouble with PS1 support is that while it is possible is that not many people have original PS1 game disks anymore. Also a PS1 game even with smoothing on (all PS3's can play PS1 games) appears to be fairly grainy on large screen HDTV's. I normally recommend a small screen HDTV when playing PS1 games.

As for PS2 games. On a BC PS3 most PS2 games display like up-scaled DVD's some great some not so great but all playable.

I definitely agree with you on the PS3 comment since most people who want to play PS3 games are going to hang onto their PS3's and a new PS3 is fairly cheap.

[jay2]

Not needing BC is BS, I still play not only PS3/xbox 360 games, but PS2 and today I even played the Wii. It's a shame cost ruined it for ps3 bc. Sony made CELL, the architgecher of the chip is the issue here, its fully bispoke and different like this artile said. the cell 2 would be the only way of BC in PS4. can something else be done? of cause, they have-ish, NOW. they need to drop this, if you have a SAVE then just have it free, and yes have a disc requirment in it. PS NOW is stupid if I was sony i'd do the above. letting you buy the games digitally.

[Tony-A]

I literally have no idea what you just said.

[Bigpappy]

He said "PS NOW is stupid" and "Not needing BC is BS". Hope that helps.

[Crummybear]

Kinda pointless when everything relevant has already been remastered for current gen. The only thing I really missed in the transition was South Park and now they have the sequel coming. If anything, I see adding backwards comparability at this stage as a complete insult. If they had the technology, it should have existed at launch. But then all those remasters would have never sold....

[smalltowngamer503]

Not everyone wants to rebuy games they already own

[SoapShoes]

If they already own them, they have the system to play it on. Mere convenience is all it is.

[nucky64]

I've moved on - give me new games now.

[PaleMoonDeath]

Just over 100 million haven't, why the hell are you people fighting backwards compatibility? that's an insane feature to have, and I want it for my PS4, PS1 and PS2 games at the very least.

[Xb1ps4]

They are fighting it because it's not on the ps4.. It's obvious, a lot of playstation gamers don't go back to the older games..

[nucky64]

I'm not fighting it - I don't need it. it can be added or not for all I care. I'd rather have NEW games made for the NEW hardware. I didn't pay 269 dollars for a shiny, new ps4 to play ps3 games. I don't own any ps3 games any more I sold the few I had when I sold my ps3.

[jjb1981]

You don't need to be a preview member. Watch someone stream the game through xbox one twitch app and then view in store to download and install. But only if you've purchased it already digitally. I've done so and it works.

[PaleMoonDeath]

Those of you saying "Why would you play this when this new games out?" well, it's nice to have the option, it would push PS3 players to move onto the PS4.

Edit: At the very least, Sony could make PS1 and PS2 games backwards compatable.

[Majin-vegeta]

I buy new consoles to play new games not old games.If I wanna play past gen games all i have to do is simply press a button and bam I'm playing last gen games.Then again I have a job and im able to keep all my consoles without selling them.

[Bzone24]

I don't really understand why it bothers you people so much. I for one haven't made the jump to next gen yet. Still have tons of games I haven't completed. Now I'm going to make the leap because of BC. Just because it's the Sony fanboy agenda right now to downplay this as much as possible, doesn't mean it isn't wanted. It's only not wanted by the people that can't have it.

[PhucSeeker]

Yes, old gens and a powerful pc should last you like 1-2 years until awesome exclusive games rolling out. Right now, Bloodborne is the only exclusive worth upgrading (for me anyway).

[Maxor]

Why bother with backward compatibility when you can crank out remastered at retail prices and rape the user base with a streaming fee to play games they already own?

[RoseSapphire]

Or since you own games from the previous generation you could just use the system as well?

[Bolts]

MS should do a video on how to play last gen games on the PC. Double click executable, play at 4k.

Drop mic.

[Software_Lover]

lol

[Gardenia]

I have a PS4 and I still use my PS3 as well. I don't understand why anyone who has PS3 games, thus also a PS3, needs backwards compatibility. There are things I'd rather have, like PS1 classics on the PS4

[Xb1ps4]

I guess you like and have all the room to have your 360 ps3 ps4 and xb1 hooked up... Oh wait... You only game on playstation, I guess you don't have that problem

Stop trying to down play a great feature just because you only have two consoles..

[PhucSeeker]

Who said anything about needing BC while having the old gen ? There's people who (for their own reasons) own only one console. And they will replace their old-gen console with new-gen one. My friends are like that. They're not crazy about gaming but love it all the same. So when all the new-gen games don't interest them, isn't it nice be able to play the digital games they bought in a sale years ago?

Also original xbox BC for xbone would be awesome as i don't have the console growing up. And it's a bitch to find in my country.

[RoseSapphire]

Backwards compatibility is a luxury and a wonderful one when it's available BUT it's not a necessity. Unless a particular system has more than one model available, such as one with BC and one without, then it does not influence my purchase of the system.

No one busts into your home to take away your old system when you buy a new one and the small inconvenience of having more than one system hooked up or having to hook a system up once in a while to play my older game is just that - a small inconvenience.

I would love to see all systems have full backwards compatibility with every generation of their hardware but it's unrealistic, unnecessary, and is a business cost best avoided.

[DaGodKing]

you guys are weird as hell... is just better to have BC on one console..

when there is the inevitable drought you can go back an buys games you have played from last gen for very cheap..

im sure ya haven't played everything.. shit i have 105 ps3 (disc based games) and still havent played all the games i want to...

and for you folks that say remasters are good for people that havent played them...if the ps4 had BC they could just buy them and problem solved..

also i understand about the cell and all that...but what about Ps1/2..

[mixelon]

I'll eat my hat if ps4 ever gets true BC.. It's one thing emulating the 360, with its comparitively straightforward architecture, it's a whole other kettle of fish emulating all those SPUs and other weird stuff going on in the PS3.

I think it'd be pretty foolish to even attempt it. Sony shouldn't waste time on something that's so unlikely to work and that would be a huge time sink and commitment to upkeep.

[FallenAngel1984]

The high sales of Virtual Console titles, PlayStation Classics, remakes, and remasters prove no matter how advanced consoles get that people will always want to play their old games on modern platforms.

Backwards compatibility was a very valued feature on GBC, PS2, GBA, DS, 360, PS3, Wii, 3DS, Vita and Wii U. Its nice to hear that X1 is continuing the traditional method to some extent. Streaming old titles just doesn't have the same feel. Sony won't even let PS1 games be downloadable for PS4.

[deathtok]

"most probably"

Ugh.

[SatanicEyeJesus]

BC at this point of the generation says to me: "hey fools, we don't have cool games for you, so please, play the old ones you have until we figure something out to compete."

[Provolone24]

Sony won't integrate backcompat on PS4 for a very simple reason many are overlooking: they want to continue selling PS3s.

They were still manufacturing and selling PS2s up until 2013. I imagine they're striving for a similar lifespan with the PS3.

It's slightly inconvenient for PS4 owners, but it's smart from a business standpoint.

What kind of irks me is, considering Microsoft is doing it and didn't even have blu-ray last gen, that really gives Sony no excuse. But it's all about the money, especially in Sony's case because of the situation of their company as a whole.

I wouldn't hold your breath to see backcompat on PS4 unless Xbox One sales literally surpass Sony's.

[b1nary_B0SS]

PS Now has nothing to do with backwards compatibility nor will it in the future. It is a part of Ken Kutaragi’s once stated over-arching network vision for PSN and CELL Broadband Engine based servers to stream games across the network to various devices regardless of the manufacturer.

10/25/2001 - Ken Kutaragi: http://www.theguardian.com/...
In the future, broadband will connect all appliances - console, TV, phone, PC, everything. Then exclusivity means nothing.

4/9/2001 - Ken Kutaragi: http://techon.nikkeibp.co.j...
Exactly. CELL will transform the fundamentals of the network topology… Each CELL would be the broadband network itself.

* CELL cluster server - 10/28/2005 - Nikkei Electronics: http://techon.nikkeibp.co.j...
Kutaragi proposed a cluster server using the Cell as a future server environment. A rack design combining 16 units, each of which consists of eight 2.5 GHz Cell microprocessors…
* PlayStation Network/Gaikai - 1/17/2014 - Eurogamer: http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...
Sony's engineers were able to mitigate both issues by shrinking the equivalent of eight PS3s onto a single motherboard, housed in a slimline server cabinet.

5/26/2012 - Eurogamer: http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...
However, what many people forget is that PlayStation 3 already streams gameplay over IP and, in some respects, cloud is a natural extension of that… the fundamental technology is already there… A single SPU is capable of encoding 720p at 30FPS at 5mbps… So, custom PS3 datacenter servers need not be that expensive…

9/17/2014 - David Perry: http://www.gameinformer.com...
To be sitting on top of a real data center is fantastic for development… Just to be very clear, we only do two things for Sony…Remote play…and then of course the cloud stuff, which was all network based.

9/1/2000 - Ken Kutaragi: https://forum.beyond3d.com/...
PS3 will totally disappear as a console, as a shape.

1/2/2015 - Samsung: http://www.samsung.com/de/n...
The PlayStation Now cloud-streaming game service available in North America offers PlayStation gaming on Samsung Smart TVs with no PlayStation console needed. With PlayStation Now on Samsung Smart TVs, users can play hundreds of PlayStation 3 games simply by pairing their TVs with DUALSHOCK4 controllers.

[Azzanation]

The gamers not interested in BC clearly show they dont love there old games or that there games have no replay value. Not everyone wants to have there previous console plugged in, like myself I have no room. 1 console that can play 2 generations of games is better then 1 console that can only play 1 generation of games.

BC shouldn't be an issue because its free but if gamers want to pay a rental service which I think is the stupidest idea iv heard of then go for it. Its your cash.

[PSdePHANSforz]

I'm really enjoying these grapes, even if they are a bit sour.

[MCTJim]

I have the solution...give the PS Now service for free!

[TheKingslayer]

Retro Gaming is dope...

[DragonbornZ]

It's shocking how many people are now trying to rationalize their "undesire" for backwards compatibility.

I never owned a ps3, so if Sony could allow me to play their ps3 games on the Ps4 that'd be killer man.

[Paleblood]

PS4 does not need BC.

BC is a good to have feature for when you are starting a new gen. If xbox users are more interested in playing old games than their current games offerering well, that is something to worry about.

I didn't bought a new next gen console to play old games, if it let me, ok, if not, I don't care. My main focus right now is all the amazing games coming on this gen, not last gen.

[DragonbornZ]

It's always about revisiting. You know how many people haven't played the Bioshock Series? Red Dead? Mass Effect? Fallout? 10s of millions. What about these people? This is awesome for them. There's tons of fantastic games from last gen.
I haven't played the Witcher Series except for 3. Haven't played Spec ops the line, Skyrim, Bioshock 1,2, Souls Series, Dragons Doma, and tons of other great games from last gen. If they're added to BC then I'll be able to play the on my X1 with all the features the X1 has, and if any have mp components I'll be able to play online with the 360 players. I love me some MW2 and Black Ops 2 multiplayer. If added to BC those games and many other mp games could see a rise in population.
I'm still looking forward to the rare collection, Halo 5, and Tomb Raider, battlefront, Uncharted Collection, fallout 4, etc this year (gat damn too many games), but this is really awesome.
N sh*t man I didn't own a ps3 last gen so if I could play the games I missed on my PS4 without having to buy a ps3, that'd be sweeet.

[MasterofMagnetism]

It's a nice feature to have but not that big a deal for me personally. Had a PS3 with BC and I think I only used it for 2 or 3 games.

[Tumaras]

There are maybe 4 PS3 games I'd ever think about going back and playing, and all 4 of them either have remastered PS4 versions out now or have PS4 versions announced as coming soon. Last of Us, God of War 3, Heavy Rain, and Beyond: Two Souls.

As for Xbone bc, remember back when PS3 first came out and had PS2 bc, but then people were disappointed when they found out it was only for a fairly short list of ~100 games? Xbox 360 had over 1100 games released on disc, and MSFT is only supporting 100 to start. So less than 1 out of 10 will be supported. It will just be a never-ending stream of people complaining/begging for their favorite game to be added to the list, just like it was with ps3->ps2 bc.

[Chumdiddy]

The 60gb launch PS3 actually had the PS2 hardware in it. I have one & had zero issues but it was limited. For those that used it more I'd never heard any issues with the 60gb launch system. The others emulated most or all of the PS2 and had issues with some games, IIRC.

I could be a bit off but I think the 60gb had no issues b/c it had a PS2 essentially built in it. I think the others emulated the EE or other chip.

[kingPoS]

I never sold my ps3 to buy a ps4. I just leveraged the preorder system at gamestop to make 0% interest payments over a one month period.

Or...

I don't need BC, not when I have an OG 160gb slim ps3. In fact, games like GTA5, Borderlands and even LBP3 let you carry your saves going into nextgen. How's that for forward compatibility.

Gateway MT6706 2008

[iTechHeads]

Don't care

[masterfox]

lol that BC announcement for the xbone is just like the cheap xbox 360 one, for example I was never able to play TrueCrime NewYork for on my 360 cause MS never put it on their list, so as you can see this just pure marketing BS from MS once more.

And for the PS4 I have a PS3 as well and have lots of games, but I haven't played for a while a PS3 game, in matter of fact I started playing FFVII(original disc) on my PS3 cause all this remake fuzz.

[blakstarz]

Keep your PS3 or don't consider getting rid of it...problem solved. I have the one with the PS2 chip in it, I was never even thinking of getting rid of that when PS4 was announced.

[WelkinCole]

Come next month and you will see the PS4 ahead again.

Sales will prove that BC is not a big deal to the masses.

Mark my words.

[captainexplosion]

If PS Now was $9.99 a month and included a library of practically all Sony 1st party PS1, PS2, and PS3 games and also allowed you to stream all PS3 AND PS4 games you own would be amazing. I think devs would be cool with it too. It would sell a lot of digital games. I would be re-buying a lot of digital versions of PS3 games I already own just so I could stream them away from home.

Edit: It would also be awesome if they created a computer app that allowed you to stream PS3/PS4 games to a computer with a PS4 controller.

[tweet75]

i just think it would have been cool as hell to make ps4 backwards compatibale for all 4 generations to the beginning of the playstation brand.It would be a great way to celebrate the 20th anniversary.

[mkis007]

Sony needs to allow for using our discs to get free copies of PSnow games... Only way they can fight this.

[Petebloodyonion]

BC is nothing on Xbox...
PPL don't want to play their old games...

Games published by SONY for ps4

-GOD of war remaster
-Fat princess remaster
-Dead Nation remaster
-Beyond: Two Souls remaster
-Flower: remaster
-Heavy rain remaster
-Journey Remaster
-Tearaway Unfolded
-Flow
-The last of Us Remasterd
-Uncharted the Nathan Drake collection
-The Unfinished Swan
-Ultra Street fighter 4

[sovkhan]

few games outta thousand and your point is...?

[sovkhan]

BC is no big deal; glad that it came to the xbone; but it ain't gonna change the actual trend.

[Izzy408]

Wow, some people are trying so hard to down play this. Hilarious.

If it were sony doing it, we wouldn't hear the end of it.

And people saying: "I don't care" or "it's no longer relevant." We know your full of it.

[Chumdiddy]

Didn't even see this comment before I posted. Man, it's really not a big deal anymore as a Sony guy. I have a 60gb PS3 (finally gave in after years and I'm getting it reballed) but even then I bet rarely used it to PS2 game. I have a PS2. I only used it to replay the MGS titles for smoothing, etc. That's it. All else I used my PS2.

When I had to get a new PS3 slim I thought I'd miss it but nope. Not at all. Not one bit.

I'm happy for X1 users. Really. Yet, it's nothing special. If PS4 gets it I'd want it at the end of the gen. I could see some wanting it if they didn't have a PS3 but BC is just a feature many want but rarely use. Polls have shown this. They want it but when given they don't use it. It's not cost effective but could be sin if consoles stick to avoiding proprietary hardware (The Cell, etc).

It's only a big deal to fanboys - the worst of the worst stain on the gaming community, IMO. Fanboyism needs to die a quick, painful death lol.

[Chumdiddy]

To me, BC seems like a great idea at the end of a console lifecycle. I know that sounds backward but Sony is right when they say that everyone wants it but few use it. I could see it becoming the norm as both companies continue using "off the shelf" parts as opposed to proprietary & vastly different hardware each gen. Consoles from now on are going to stick to the "basically a mid-range PC" model and that's fine!

My point is that when each gen tech is just a stronger version of the past gen we will likely see more launch BC. Until then I think the gamer has to consider cost and simply play last gen titles on their last gen console (or try to get one now that they're cheaper). For this gen I'd like Sony to add BC but I don't really care until they're ready for the next gen.

FYI, I still play more PS3 than PS4 as of right now. I bought my PS4 too early as my back catalogue of PS3 titles far surpasses my PS4. Though, I love that as I'll be able to grab the great titles if the first couple years at a discount when I catch up.

I can't wait for later this year and next year! I can see my PS3 collecting dust around September. Like last gen,v that's when I'll really dive into PS4 and rarely look back. It would be nice to have PS4 BC but I don't need it until later and I think many feel the same.

That said, good for X1 users! I prefer Sony but I owe my gaming allegiance to no company. I wish everyone would just stop this fanboy B.S. and enjoy gaming.

Fanboys only support "their system" so much because it's what they spent their money on and nobody wants to waste money (or their parent's money). It's only financial pride. Real gamers couldn't give half a rat's ass about where they have fun gaming as long as it's fun. Sadly, to many of us can only afford one gaming platform.

I'm happy for X1 gamers. I'm not defending Sony as much as stating that many don't need BC and would like it but it's not their top wish in a console these days. I'd take it but if given tomorrow is still game PS3 on PS3. I might game PS2 on PS4 but that's it. Not a huge deal to me. I basically have until September to finish my main PS3 backlog. I'm sure I'll use it again after but not for a while and only for rare nostalgia/replay of true gems.

[PsVitaBuzz]

I find it amusing the amount of fanboys who say it irrelevent....ok...so playstation now is relevant? Paying to stream games you may own with lag and sub he resolution... It's highly relevant for many who have an xbox as many had purchased a boat load of digital material...it streamlines the whole process...not all buyers prefer to buy on disc. If this was announced at Sony's conference I guarantee sony fanboys would be singing its praises....perhaps sony can start a kickstarter for bc...ya know....like the shenmue deal...lol

[Father__Merrin]

BC is ok for first year, after that yu are to busy playing new games and experiences. i will keep hold of my ps3 thanks just as i have my ps2 in case i need to play an old classic here and there

you buy a new console to play new games not old games otherwise there would be no point

[extermin8or]

I.want to point out to everyone that this BC on xbox thing is their way of stealth trialing the features they almost launched the xbox with... It's pretty clear to see and not even up for debate...

[DarXyde]

I'm over it, honestly. I think it's great the Xbox One will be getting it, as options are never bad, but I still have my PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and they still work. I get it's a whole convenience thing, but I'm not a lazy person so it really doesn't apply to me. PlayStation Now is obviously tailored towards those who've never owned a PS3, but there are still multiplatform titles available for it and I have a hard time believing non gamers are buying PSNow devices.

All things considered, my PS3 and Xbox 360 are still hooked up and my PS2 is within reach for when I want to go further back. Just buying games for this generation has been brutal on my hard drive, so I'm perfectly fine with keeping my storages separate. I don't have time to go back.

If it ever comes, it's welcome, but I'm not holding my breath. To say again, it's great Microsoft has it now, but it's just one of those things I don't think I will be using. I get people's need for less clutter, but I really don't mind being able to revisit those games on their native platforms. Still, options are nice.

[LoveSpuds]

I honestly dont recall seeing and real demand for backwards compatibility, it was something that would be nice but I never got the impression people were clamouring for it.

Fair play to MS, adding it is really cool but I find it quite confusing how all of a sudden, since the announcement, it is suddenly an essential function that huge sections of the XBOX community have been crying out for.

Sony dont need to add anything, the console is selling just fine and software continues to sell well demonstrating that people want to play the latest title more than replaying cames from older generations.

While some, including myself, love and replay old games, people buy new consoles to play new games.

[PsVitaBuzz]

You are right...the ps4 has loads of new games and remasters...especially in 2016...

[imheretobenice]

some fanboys just never fail to amaze me, so now BC is irrelevant? i mean really? its irrelevant says who? u? ofcourse its irrelevant cuz u as a PS fanboy are not the one getting it.BC is not something u have to pay for, its an extra feature to ur console of choice, sad thing is as long as PS fanboys support every bad move sony makes they will just keep on stepping on u, i remember when watchig E3 how people went ceazy when phill anounced BC, im just happy that BC being irrelevant is just ur opinion, a PS fanboy opinion indeed.

[Picnic]

If Playstation Now is a Backwards Compatibility in terms of streaming, then the PS4 does have a kind of Backwards Compatibility, it's just not one with discs or all games- or Naughty Dog games.

But if it can play Bioshock Infinite then it's done pretty good at offering BC in streaming.

Or is the quality not all that good?

[tjg59]

Bc is useless and so is ps now. Sony should of used that money on games.ps now is a rip off it's cheaper to buy a used PS3 and used games then rent those games at those insane prices. They should've used that money trying to get silent hills

[Picnic]

They should turn that Silent Hills PT (which, oddly, wasn't even supposed to be in the full game) in to its own game, all of it set inside that house. It doesn't have to have the Silent Hill name any more. That teaser was the selling point.

[Dewitt]

Just last year all I heard was why doesn't MS or Sony introduce BC, I want to sell my old console and move forward but what about my library of games I paid for. Now MS announces the feature everyone was clamoring for and the fanboys just downplay it like it is nothing. PS Now is a joke, paying to rent games you have already played and they wasted 300 million on this technology.

The hypocrites in this site are an absolute joke and will blindly follow whatever policies a company puts in place for them. First it was we don't want EA Access it's EA they will take games out of the vault, ect... Now BC doesn't matter cause no one wants to play old games, even though old school emulators are some of the most downloaded apps of tablets, phones, and people still collect retro games.

[DarXyde]

To be fair, there has also been a lot of downplay of Sony adding DLNA. NOW, though the console has it, the Xbox/anti-PlayStation fanboys are saying it's garbage because it runs through an app.

People were also criticizing Sony for announcing big games that won't be coming out until next year or so, yet Gears 4, full backwards compatibility, and HoloLens are still a ways off and it gets a pass from those individuals. Let's not forget how that plays into everyone calling PS4 "DelayStation" when one of the most lauded titles, Quantum Break, got delayed as well. Oh, and the suggestion that The Last Guardian is vaporware and how reintroducing it doesn't constitute a "win" at E3 (if you subscribe to the notion that one company can win E3), but I'd be interested in seeing how Phantom Dust is handled and how the crowd may react years from now. It may not be the same scenario, but who really knows. Rewinding to the PS3's pre-release, Xbox 360 gamers were very quick to criticize Sony for forcing Blu Ray on us, saying HD-DVD being optional was a decision where Microsoft was looking out for the consumer...fast forward to Xbox One's launch, Sony's guys were criticizing Microsoft for forcing Kinect on you. Microsoft has been better with choices throughout the generation so far (BC, EA Access, Pro Controller, what have you), but it's the same dance every generation from different sides.

Point is, it works both ways, really. Not saying you don't have a point, but hypocrisy is the nature of the gaming beast. We love to pit the things we're fond of against each other when they're really just meant to coexist as options. You should ask yourself if Microsoft would be pushing this hard or making these strides if Sony wasn't giving them a hard time in their best territories. Let's not make this a matter of keeping score. It's petty and it's one reason why the different gaming communities struggle to get along. Not saying you should stay silent, but you really can't change people who don't want to see things another way.

[G_V_Black]

BC would be a nice quality of life addition for sure. I completely get why long-time XBox users are excited about this feature. It would be great to pack up the PS3 and the Dualshock 3s once and for all, play my whole PS library on one machine, and free up space and an HDMI input on my receiver for something else (maybe even an XB1). A few more remasters (Red Dead Redemption comes to mind), and I will most likely stop caring about this completely.

[prof573v3]

I would love BC. Some games wont be made again I still like the buzzz games on the ps3 and ps2, Muppets party cruise and shriek super party are favourites. However my BC ps3 has died.

Having all the consoles is not the problem. Its all the controllers. I will get another PS3 as I've lots of PS3 games to play. (I mainly had xbox 360 last gen)

[corroios]

So, this means that next week, months Microsoft will have a boost in sales in millions, because what im reading since e3 is that BC is what 360 owners were waiting to buy the Xbox One? is that right?

The reality is that this is just another wait for it. This generation is all i see. How hard is to understand, besides USA and maybe UK the console is being crushed in sales. No cut price work, no HALO, even Two Forzas, no Sunset, Titanfall, Cloud, ESRam, DX12 nothing changes what the gamers want first and that is a PS4.

Is BC a cool feature, yes. A game changer not really. I think microsoft did well, but to have the effect they wanted only at launch. I dont need to put the list of games coming out and already out.

The only way that microsoft can get back in the race is by selling the console at lower price, maybe 299 or 249.

Another thing is that some gamers dont understand whats the meaning of winning E3. E3 gold is to advertise games, to hype the game they are selling, to hype the console they are selling.

You dont need to be a rocket scientist to understand who and what games were hyped to the sky... Sony was much more smart on the publicity stunt they did! Again, the PS4 is on the clouds and they didnt show other huge IP that we now are coming, because they didnt need. For me thats Scary.

[mixelon]

If the PS4 had PS1 and PS2 BC I'd be happy. PS3 is an unrealistic thing to ask. But It's more than powerful enough to do the older machines.

[MAULxx]

PS3s are readily attainable. PS3s also play PS one games.
I'll also say that emulation leaves a lot to be desired. A WHOLE LOT!