The Importance of backwards compatibilty on PS4 and its possible effect on 4K remakes

With the announcement of next generation PlayStation looming on the horizon. One question is on my mind will the next PlayStation be Backwards compatible? Sony-gamer.com truly hope this happens and while this may not be a big feature for a new console like it was in past generations. Sony-gamer.com would love to see it return and feel as though now backwards compatibility is more important than ever.

[MDC31]

sounds expensive. hope i wont have to get a third job then

[jimbobwahey]

Backwards compatibility with the PS3 is a major factor in whether I buy a PS3 at launch or not, and I'd be willing to fork over extra cash if it was a feature reserved solely for a 'premium' edition of the console that was more expensive.

If the PS4 is not backwards compatible though? I'll wait for a price drop, since there's far too many PS3 games to play and having multiple consoles by the same manufacturer under the TV is just silly.

I think backwards compatibility should be a standard feature for new consoles from now on anyways, since launch periods (and the first year in general) always see a shortage of games (nevermind games that are actually good) and backwards compatibility alleviates this issue.

[decrypt]

Backward compatibility is the reason why you should look to buy all your multiplats on PC. That is in case you want a reliable way of making a library.

On console every gen you will be uncertain of whats going to happen. I personally have over 150games on Steam and hundreds of other old games dating all the way to the Dos days. I dont have a fear in the world that my games wont work when the next gen of games arrive.

Hence the answer is simple want to make a gaming library, PC is where that is at. Consoles just arent ment for that kinda stuff, unless u want to keep buying old consoles and go through the hassle of maintaining them.

edit: infact these last few weeks i been playing some of Nes and Snes games on my PC(using a DS3 controller ;-). You dont get to see those sort of gems on any platform any more. Heck i could playing games from PS1, PS2, or any other console (aside the PS3 or Xbox 360) for that matter.

[r21]

Oh man I've been seeing you in most ps3 articles bashing Sony or in Nintendo pretending to love your ps3 and praising nintendo. Entertaining little troll, arent you?

[MAJ0R]

Have a sense of humor. There's no reason to find the poking at fun moments of E3 2006 offensive, especially over an inanimate object.

[Irishguy95]

There's no reason to find comments on an inanimate object offensive at all.

[360ICE]

@Irishguy95
I think there are some inanimate objects that are usually considered offensive to joke about. I'm not going to mention them, because I don't want to offend anyone.

Oh, WTH.
Tumors, aborted fetuses, dead bodies, world trade centers, the Quran, the Bible, other holy books, medical journals and last but not least Michael Jackson.

So yeah.

[HarryMasonHerpderp]

I'm pretty sure they will use their cloud streaming service they recently bought to play PS1,PS2 and PS3 games.
I don't think it will actually be in the hardware.

[FXGAMESKILLEEN]

lol Did you read it?

[19993568]

@ FXGAMESKILLEEN
Are you talking to MDC31?
If you are, then no, he didn't read the article.
He's just a troll who is in every Sony related article bashing and trolling.
Look at his comment history; he seems more pathetic with every comment you read.

[rodiabloalmeida]

I'm definitely NOT buying any 4K remake anytime soon. I don't feel any need for this. It's a waste of money IMHO.

[DeadlyFire]

4K games haha. Not gonna happen.

PC games struggle with 4k. Not a chance in hell a console can do it on gimped hardware half the power of PC standard.

Movie playback and output maybe, but games will be 1080p all this generation. Next generation after PS4/XB3/WiiU we might see a transition to 4K/2160p.

[spoonard]

Backwards compatibility doesn't matter to me so much. I don't find it difficult to throw a game into my PS3 and play it. I have HDMI switches so all I gotta do is grab a controller, flip a switch and i'm ready to go.

[TheLyonKing]

I would gladly pay more for a ps4 BC I miss my phat ps3 which had BC :(

[Double_O_Revan]

I would too. I hate needing multiple systems. It's would be so great to have one playstation to play Everything.

[JellyJelly]

When was 4K confirmed? In fact, when was anything at all about the PS4 or Xbox 720 confirmed? Are we treating fantasy rumors as fact all of a sudden?

There is no incentive for console manufacturers to go 4K yet. Look at the install base of televisions. Do you know anyone who owns a 4K television? I don't. Sure, it would be sweet as a future feature but in reality it would make more sense, to everyone, if they make 1080p the new standard.

[DeadlyFire]

1080 is the new standard for next generation. 4k movie playback at some point might be possible, but not for any game development as PC hardware can't do it with a decent framerate.

[r21]

I wouldnt sell my ps3 just for a new console. I keep my old consoles for nostalgia's sake. I agree with keeping usernames and BC. Sony better incorporate these features into the ps4 or they might loose millions of buyers.

Another great thing to have for the PS4 would be a global store. I hate getting crappy updates compared to other countries.

[bub16]

i dont understand the fuss with backwards compatibility. your just rising the price for something you already own!

[vickers500]

Make the backwards compatibility emulation based. That solves the higher price problem.

[Megaton]

People still think the PS4 will be running 4k games? It takes the best modern GPUs to run current gen games in 4k at a mere 30-ish FPS average. Unless you're expecting the PS4 to cost $1,000+, 4k gaming isn't realistic.

http://www.brightsideofnews...

[spartan_dx]

I was thinking the same but i dint even know 4k gaming was even possible already, its crazy to think the ps4 would be able to.

[nevin1]

I can gurantee PS4 will atleast play PS1 disk games. But BC for PS2/PS3 is 50/50. The rise of PS2 and PS3 games on PSN makes me believe it won't.

But at the same time, I think alot of people will just hold on to PS3. Also I think having PS1-PS3 disk games compatible on PS4 will entice buyers.

[DeadlyFire]

Well there is a chip with Cell+RSX on the same chip coming so it might be possible for them to throw that into PS4 for easy backwards compatibility. Its funny how its scheduled for 2013FY and PS4 is estimated around End 2013/Mid-2014 for release. :P

[jetpacksheep]

I heard that backwards compatibility would be difficult for Sony because they would be switching to AMD architecture in the next gen. I'm sure there was an article on this somewhere.

[rainslacker]

BC with the PS3's cell processor isn't likely due to the very different design of the cell's processes. PS1 will be software emulated like it is now, and depending on how fast the processor is PS2 BC might be emulated.

Many people are thinking that Sony will use Gakai for BC purposes, but that's just speculation.

I personally wouldn't mind if they released a premium console which had all the required hardware like the original PS3 did. Quite a few people say they'd pay extra for it.

BC on any console isn't really a given. Sony spoiled people with the PS2 having it, and the first PS3's having it, so naturally it became a God given right to have it forever and ever.

[XB1_PS4]

I wouldn't really mind if it was backwards compatible. I have all three this gen. I can play my old games by hooking my ps3 back up.

[TheKayle]

if we trust at rumors..and ps4 would be amd based i want to know how an x86 based console would "emulate" an cell based console...theres no way to do it ..if not just to put a cell processor on the board too (high expansive) so forget it

ps. For all the users that talk about "software emulator" if the ps3 could be emulated easly...we would have already tons of ps3 emulator on our loved more powerfull pcs like we have for ps1/ps2..

every game wrote for cell can run just on the cell based hardware the cell have no cores...is one big core taht crunch lots of numbers.....again FORGET to emulate it and forget to have a cell on the board (this would mean produce the cell in high volume again sony dont have this money ...guys)

[rainslacker]

I don't think the cell processor is terribly expensive for sony to put on the board, but when you talk about millions of units and only a small percentage actually fussing about it, it doesn't make economical sense to do it for all the systems. The emotion engine of the PS2 isn't easy to emulate either, and it's likely that cost very little to produce. However every little bit adds to the bottom line.

I think a premium version for those wanting it is in order and would like to see Sony pursue this to see how it goes.

HD remakes are an option if you truly love a game, however less than 1% of the games for a system are ever remade, so it's not all encompassing.

[theWB27]

Idk why people want BC so much....you're basically getting rid of an expensive piece of hardware you just bight less than ten years ago. If it still works then i want to use that hardware as long as possible....three entertainment center just has to make more room. I look at my systems like trophies....leave them out for display.

[rainslacker]

It is convenient though to have it all on one system. I still have my original PS2 and PS1, but only need to use the PS3. Also the PS3 up-scales the video and access times for older games a bit which is nice.

There is the added benefit that quite a few people would trade in their older systems to make a newer one more affordable. Not necessarily the most financially sound way to do it, but it does work for the auto industry.

[Felonycarclub8]

I hope its not BC, that way ps4 is cheaper from the start plus Sony did buy gaikai so they can do BC through the cloud. Plus I really do think Sony needs to make it easier for developers to make games easier to develop for the ps4 but still making it as powerful as they can which I think that's what they are doing and that's why I think it won't be BC

[makemyteapunk]

The PS4 will probably have it. Then when enough people are suckered into buying one, just like they were with the PS3, they will remove it.

[mamotte]

Seriously?. Powerful GPUs have problems running 4k. People have problems buying multiple monitors to play 4K.

Not bashing sony or anything, but come on. Be realist.