Does PS4 Need Backwards Compatibility?

Backwards compatibility has been announced for the Xbox One but what does that mean for the PS4's future with no backwards compatibility on the horizon?

[yarbie1000]

It doesn't need it. But is it nice to have?

[JoGam]

Exactly. Let me be honest I had the first PS3. Its was $600. I never used the backwards compatible feature at all and i had tons of ps2 games. Its a great feature that is rarely used. I dont even think i'll rent a game from PSNow.

[Genuine-User]

It's a feature not many will use. And emulating the cell processor must be a nightmare.

[SniperControl]

Sony need to incorporate a price with-in the PS+ sub, say an extra £10 - £15 a month to have full access to the service, if you dont want PS now, just sign up to the normal PS+ sub

I'am currently on the UK beta for PS Now and have refused to buy any games, prices are just damn high, hopefully the other gamers on the beta do the same, that way Sony will get that we don't want to pay those prices.

[Why o why]

would love it but can do without it. Would love to replay Ni no Kuni again

[uth11]

If you own a game on the PS3, they should give you a big discount if you want to play that game through PS Now.

[4Sh0w]

My thoughts again are I think Microsoft knocked it out of the park with BC but I dont think we should beat Sony up over not having it on ps4= it was never promised.

I got NO problem with Sony saying "hey BC on ps4 is impossible or extremely too difficult/expensive because ps3 and ps4 hardware are totally different, so psnow is all we will be offering"= Thats fine, I only hate the double talking, downplaying, and then saying stuff like EA Access isnt worthwhile but psnow is.

I dont think ps4 needs BC, its sold record numbers so far without it, that said I think BC is important to a large segment of gamers.

[Death]

Both the 360 and PS3 use PowerPC based processors. The Xbox One and PS4 use x86 based APU's. It's not the hardware preventing Sony from enabling b/c, it's the fact they would rather charge people to play older games thru PSNow. PS4 demand is high and Sony doesn't need to do anything for their customers. Microsoft is seeing much less demand and has to work at increasing sales. This is why we see so much on the Xbox One and relatively less on PS4 as far as features go.

[kayoss]

I agree. I have never used my PS3 backward compatibility. Its nice to have and very conveinent but lots of people are too busy playing new games to be playing old games.

[UKmilitia]

i thought i wanted backwards compatable fetaure,but i have been in the ps now beta for a few months and have tried a game for a few minutes and then thats it.
its nice ot have i suppose but if it takes away budget for future things then i would rather be without it and them focus on something better.

PSNOW is a big waste of money imo and 2 days ago i noticed the rentals in beta went from free o £4.99 for 3 days rental.
screw that and i deleted it instantly.

MS giving it for free if you have disc and your digital bought games downloadable is a brilliant move which i applaud and its a big up yours to psnow(which with new pricing Sony deserve imo).

i think if they monitored the amount of use the service has i cant see it worth the money they invested.
people need to move on now and im so hyped for games coming out in next 6 months i aint looking back for anything.

PSNOW IS NOT GOODS VALUE FOR GAMERS AND IM ANNOYED SONY THINK IT IS.

WHATS MORE ANNOYING FOR ME AS A PS4 OWNER AND LOVER IS THE FACT SONY SAY PSNOW IS VALUE YET EA ACCESS ISNT??

I WANT TO VOTE WITH MY WALLET AND I WANT EA ACCESS!!!!!!

[dcbronco]

If so many playstation fans think BC is so unimportant did Sony make a mistake buying Gaikai? Is this the last Playstation console? You have to assume Sony spent that huge amount of money for something. If fans don't care about old games Playstation Now will never be able to price the service reasonable enough to attract a large user base.

If you plan to run it as it originally was and stream full games does that eliminate the need for a next Playstation. If not, and you make another Playstation, do you have to make a two tier solution with a arcade and streaming only version. But that would undercut the full version and the R&D resources you can throw at it.

Do you turn Gaikai into a cloud compute system to extend the life of PS4 or supplement PS5 as a cheaper streaming/cloud system. What am I talking about? Playstation fans don't believe in magic.

BC was Microsoft's"this is how you share games with your friends on PlayStation" moment. Though the Family Share plan was far better than handing games to someone next to you. I could hand a game to my "cousin" a thousand miles away. But the real question isn't whether Playstation needs BC. It's whether Sony still needs Gaikai.

Cloud compute will advance far faster than game streaming. Here's why. Business. Right now companies spend billions trying to keep up their internal infrastructure and keeping it current. It is cheaper to offload computing needs to the cloud only when needed as opposed to having personnel maintaining equipment that often is more than needed. Microsoft,Google, Apple and Amazon are all fighting for 100's of billions in potential revenue. Other companies too.

Sony and OnLive are fighting for a few hundred million potential. Compute will have tens of billions in r&d spent on it. Sony and OnLive will spend less than 100 million and that is probably generous. And though streaming games will piggyback on compute advancements, it is only useful to a small part of the population and will quickly become obsolete. Except for movies and music.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Agreed. Its nice to have, but its not a deal breaker. Simply keep your past systems or just buy on used.

PS Now doesn't give you ALL games released, you need to always have an internet connection. Even MS BC is limited to who will support it. Only real way of playing all your favorites is pretty simple, keep your old systems or buy one used. Whats sad, is its clearly the most obvious answer that gets a solution to the problem pretty fast vs lets wait to see whats added on PS Now or lets wait to see what publishers if ever ok certain titles.

....just buy it used and be done with it lol. I'm pretty sure folks who bought PS4's and XONE's wanted PS4 and XONE for PS4 and XONE games.

@DCbrounco- "If so many playstation fans think BC is so unimportant did Sony make a mistake buying Gaikai?"

Not really..PS Now is not a solution to BC and has nothing to do with BC, you don't put in your PS games and PS Now just start running lol.

PS Now works on PS3 too along with other devices....what does that have to do with PS4 BC?

[Army_of_Darkness]

Not gonna lie, but I'm too accustomed too playing Remastered ps3 games @1080p/ 60pfs on my ps4 only now.
As for the non remastered ps3 games, well I still play them on my ps3 console so psnow or backwards compat. doesn't concern or interest me.
My ps3 is also backwards compatib. and I used it only twice.
Current Gen games FTW :-)

[dcbronco]

Edmix if it's not about BC what is it about. You can still buy a ps2 or 3. Though Sony fans seem to have moved on. If it's about playing on other devices, it looks like Microsoft is doing that for free too with universal apps. Sony fans don't believe in cloud compute. It looks like Gaikai was just a bad acquisition right now. Unless they go cloud compute with it Microsoft undercuts the value of any planned service with offering the same thing for free.

[paradigmfellow]

Agree

[d_g]

yeah it would be very nice

there will be no 60$ remasters

[Letthewookiewin]

I can't wait to play the Uncharted collection in 1080p 60Fps. Also I love my Master Cheif collection that was remastered and updated to 1080p 60fps it's a much better experience that offered a new visual experience for old games. I only buy the remasters that mean something to me. Speaking with your wallet is important.

[4Sh0w]

Letthewookiewin, I totally agree.

[UKmilitia]

i would rather have remasters of epic games than backwards compat as long as they have extra stuff in unless backwards compat could upscale etc(which it cant)

last of us awesome value
metro was awesome value
uncharted is awesome value
gears and halo look awesome value

god of war isnt that good value although i cant wait to play it,it should have more content imo.

[Pogmathoin]

The fact is, only the biggest will get remasters, so the option to be able to carry on playing the rest on one system is a win win for gamers. How people can percieve a negative is beyond me. If MS has the resources to do it, what is the problem? BC knocked it out of the park, and killed PsNow as it is right now.... again, great having competition..... it always benefits consumers..... PSN forced MS into games with gold..... win all round for everyone.... just enjoy the golden age of gaming, stick together and support the industry, not make it look juvenile...

[badboyz09]

For Major Exclusives & Call Of Duty.

[Bigpappy]

It is not needed. PS fans are happy to pay for games they already bought. They understand Sony is never going to let them do play the old games because like with EA access, it has no value (to Sony). So PSnow is a lot better option on that system than Backwards compatibility.

[Tony-A]

Nice stealth troll, bro.

PS Now isn't a better option for PS4 owners like myself. Technology like this is obviously possible on the system since PS3 emulation is happening right now with PS Now. Hell, you can even see the XMB from there. The fact that this isn't a big thought in Sony's mind right now gets me really angry

But with that said, it's also completely useless to me now. To get into the next generation, I - along with many others - have already sold my previous generation hardware and software. Backwards compatibility at this point only serves those who were financially prepared to buy an 8th generation system without giving up their 7th Gen gear.

In that regard, since I no longer own a PS3 and 360 or its games, PS Now becomes a better option. Paying $45 every 3 months to play games I used to own sucks, but it's a more convenient option considering it's all right there for me. I can also try out games I've never owned before for no added cost, which is nice.

It's like movies. I could just get a Blu-Ray player that also play DVDs so my older catalog is still relevant..... but then there's netflix.

Makes sense?

[Death]

@Tony

Paying to rent the games you owned after selling them for pennies on the dollar doesn't make much cents.

[ger2396]

I think your missing the point of ps now. It's targeted towards people who now have access to ps now via any streaming device that's not a console. For gamers like myself, ps now is not a necessity nor b/c on ps4. The majority of gamers hold on to their last gen console, therefore eliminating any need for b/c. Ps now along with b/c on the Xbox 1, is a nice option for those who choose to use it.

[Tony-A]

@Death

It does when you have no other option, which is my point. I just said it sucks, but if I had enough of an incentive to pay the equivalent of 3.5 games a year on a service that can give me PS3 and eventually PS2/PS1 games on almost any platform that's capable, it works itself out.

We're talking about a feature that is far from a system seller. It's a novelty that serves as an added bonus and lessens the blow of having to dump 10 years of investment into something new.

[Letthewookiewin]

I really don't care to have BC. I barely have time to play all the new games that come out.

[Tyre]

For an insignificant feature Sony puts a lot of effort in providing us with the Sony back-catalog: PS1 games on PS/PS2 store...PS1 BC on PS2/PS3 and they removed PS2 hardware BC(because of expenditure), but later added PS2 Backwards Compatibility via emulation in a PS store purchase. Sony cares a lot about their BC, so much that they offer it now via PSnow, they CAN make an emulator also with recompiling to x86 (commercial purpose)(Cell is a PowerPC just like the Xbox360 CPU)..the PS3 differs as much from the x86 architecture (XB1 & PS4) as the Xbox360. They could also offer us a disc-based entry to PSnow, if you have the retail disc or bought the PS3 digital version, previous purchase gives you entry-right, stream that game without a fee. That would be the same as the MS offering BC for already purchased games. Why not? People who didn't buy it before will have to purchase(commercial value), but for Playstation gamers it will be a service. I think it's wonderful that MS has done this, besides the difference between PS2 and PS3 games/XBoriginal and XB360 is that we now have Trophies/Achievements and it is mighty cool that the validity of those Throphies/Achievements remain intact, we will always be able to get that special Throphies/Achievement via BC, it makes a huge difference. BC is also a given on PC. I'm still able to play that game from '96 for example. It keeps the value of your purchase in check...less like junk food more like culture/art/ disposable (surplus value).

[medman]

I get how people want backward compatibility, but I don't know many people who actually use it. Personally, I want new great games and experiences to play, not to go back and re-play games I've already played multiple times.

I still own a 360 and ps3, with a large library of games for both of them, and the only games I have returned to play in the last two years is the Uncharted trilogy. That's not suggesting in future years I won't replay the original Gears, or Mass Effect, or Bioshock, for example. But I've played hundreds of hours with those games already, and the more time that goes by, the more I want those games to live as the masterpieces they were in my memory. Going back to them and playing them will only show the flaws, the clunky mechanics, the old gamepad inadequecies, the now by comparison unimpressive visuals, etc. etc. etc. In fact, I have a rather sizable backlog of new current gen games to work through, much less looking backwards.

[Death]

"Going back to them and playing them will only show the flaws, the clunky mechanics, the old gamepad inadequecies, the now by comparison unimpressive visuals, etc. etc. etc"

That applies to most indie games and look at how well they do.

It's funny how so many say they would rather have new games than have the ability to play the games they already bought. I was under the impression you could have both. Sony offers both, but you have to pay to play the games you already own on your new console. Microsoft is allowing it for free.

How is this optional feature even debated? If you don't want it you don't have to use it. If you would like to play Xbox 360 games on your Xbox One with your Xbox 360 friends or Xbox One friends you can.

[MysticStrummer]

"I don't know many people who actually use it"

Yup. When I heard PS2 was backwards compatible I thought it was a great idea… and never used it. None of my friends did either, to my knowledge.

When I heard PS3 was backwards compatible I thought it was a great idea… and never used it. None of my friends did either, to my knowledge.

I have no interest in PS Now unless it offers PS4 games. For me and those I personally know, no, PS4 doesn't need BC.

[Lon3wolf]

Yep agreed, never needed always nice I was going to put :D

[someOnecalled]

i hope ps5 dont have BC. PS fans dont need or want it

[Sharingan_no_Kakashi]

People always talk about it but few ever really use it. I'd rather a console manufacturer focus on new experiences. I rarely play through games more than once anyway. Unless you know it's a new ps3 exclusive game coming out and i want to play it on my ps4 that's the only way I could see myself wanting BC. Like the Kingdom Hearts HD collection. But that rarely happens.

[Death]

I would rather have the manufacturer focus on new games and experiences and allow me to play my existing library on my new console. Why do you feel the need to choose when you already have both?

Sony didn't focus on new games first. They pretty much focused on PSNow and other subscription services while relying on third parties for content. You would have a point if Sony were tearing it up with new first party developed games while Microsoft dropped development.

[Lon3wolf]

I would play Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey in a heartbeat on my One, not sure of the chances of those titles getting BC treatment due to the number of discs each of those has.

[Summons75]

Now it does or at minimum free usage of PSnow IF you have the game disc.

[MasterCornholio]

I don't feel that it needs it because it isn't a system selling feature. However it's still nice to have but in the PS4s case it would be extremely difficult to incorporate given the major differences between the PS4 and the PS3.

The holidays will prove me right like always.

[Davi123]

If Sony decides implement BC in PS4, i hope isn't like MS! If Sony don't want to take the risk of putting emulators on PS4, because of piracy. I hope they do at least a service like Share Play that give to us the opportunity to play all CDs (PS1), all DVDs (PS2) and all Blu-ray's (PS3)!

[Malacath]

Why not MS method of backwards compatibility?

The emulation is excellent. Some games perform better on the x1 than they did on the 360.

I would much rather emulation than ps now.

Also whats having an emulator on the console got to do with piracy?

[Davi123]

MS not will put on the XBone a emulator of XB360, is because of this that you can't play all, just 18 games now. And i didn't speak about PS Now. What i said is: i liked that Sony do something like Share Play, a service that allows you to use play all the discs (PS1/2/3) in PS4!

[Death]

Aren't the Holidays the time we see more games released on the Xbox One and increased sales too? What exactly do the Holidays prove you right about? The existence of Santa?

The PS3 and Xbox 360 were both PowerPC or RISC based systems while the PS4 and Xbox One are both x86 based. Other than the fact you are confused by Sony's BS marketing campaign for the "Cell", why do you believe there is a bigger difference?

[Davi123]

I you sould get facts first my friend!

http://scitech.blogs.cnn.co...

[ff7100]

It's something that would be great feature to have but, its not a neccessary thing to do, besides emulating CELL would be close to impossible either way.

[Death]

CELL is a modified PowerPC processor. Microsoft's "XENON" processor found in the Xbox 360 is also a modified PowerPC based processor. Microsoft found a way to emulate their PowerPC based game console on the Xbox One. The PS4 which is "superior" could surely do the same thing, couldn't it? The only reason they don't is because they would rather charge for it with PSNow. It's the same value equation that keeps you from being intelligent enough to decide if EA Access is a good deal.

[Chevalier]

" The PS4 which is "superior" could surely do the same thing, couldn't it? "

Shouldn't you know better than the software engineers? Seems that's the whole point of your Xenon PowerPC comparison? Your doing such a good job as an armchair developer maybe you can explain how easy it is to do? Please add some more tech detail too.

[Death]

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/x...

I don't need to be an engineer to see that it can be done. I downloaded the update and started using it a couple days ago. Sony's modified PowerPC chip was marketed as "The Cell". That doesn't change what it is. Both Xbox 360's Xenon and PS3's Cell are based on PowerPC architecture. Both Xbox One and PS4's architecture is based on x86 architecture.

You want tech detail? Many preview members are playing their old PowerPC based games on their new x86 based systems right now as we speak. You can talk about how impossible it is all you want, but Microsoft did it while Sony states they are content offering streaming for a fee.

I'm not sure I'm any more comfortable saying Sony isn't smart enough to figure it out as I am saying they are too greedy to do it. What I do know though is Microsoft did it and they did it for free based on feedback from the community.

[Chevalier]

Thanks for proving my point. The point is your NOT an engineer so stop pretending that everything is so easy. If it's so easy then why did it take MS a software company till now to announce this? Shouldn't 'easy' X86 architecture make this announcement 1 1/2 years too late?! If it was easy this should have been available at launch, not a year and 1/2 later announcement.

If it's so easy then why does that page you listed only shows like 20 titles. Since it's easy as press of a button for you considering your vast amounts of knowledge then how come ALL titles aren't already available? Shouldn't it have been just put on the software and presto go play ALL your games?! No? Yeah I thought so. Thanks for being a wonderful and knowledgable software 'engineer' and enlightening us all.

[Dravidian]

I can't be the only one that likes to play old games without having to rebuy them. I still play my ps2, ps1, gc, and Wii games...
And I'd play my dreamcast and NES games if they were more dependable.

[WickedLester]

Where do you find the time? I find it a challenge to find time to play the new stuff, let alone any old stuff.

[Dravidian]

Sunday-Thursday nights I usually play at least 2 hours before going to bed around 1AM.
I usually get 6-7 hours of sleep.
Daily life from 7AM-10PMish.

Friday evenings and the majority of Sat/Sun are essentially game/movie days.

Of course most things take priority over games, so if I have business to attend to I;ll put games aside in a heart beat.

[Macdaddy71]

I would not say it needs it,.. But the ps now is priced to high!!!! Look at what u can buy a use PS3 game for cheap cheap... If Sony going to have ps now they need to drop the price... Cause I will use my x1 bc way more then I will rent a game on ps4....

[RosweeSon]

Not overly put ps2 classics on vita and that'll be ps1/2 covered and then there's ps now for any remaining PS3 games your yet to play over the last 10 years! And that isn't being ported to it (ps4)
Happy to see some new and exciting games for new gen.

[wheresmymonkey]

its a feature they could easily impliment via PSnow. we all know the machine can read PS3 discs. It'll say this is a PS3 disc when you shove one in. So if it can tell you that much it wouldn't be a wild stretch for the machine to know what disc it is and then it would just be a simple case of giving you acees to the game via PSNow so long as the discs in the drive.

Reason Sony will not do this - The alternatives make them cash. this does not.

[Inzo]

Backwards compatibility is a dead end, and the Xbox fanboys will soon realise this, they will run out to get their old games just to hear a year later that it will be remastered.

[parentsbasement]

Since its not getting it , then no , it dosent need it ...defense wins championships...

[Angeljuice]

Since they are already massively outselling their rivals without it, no it isn't necessary.
Microsoft needed to do something to add value to their offering in the eyes of gamers.

The thing about b/c is it does sell consoles to owners of the previous generation, even if 95% of them never use it.

[MysticStrummer]

PS2 and PS3 had it. I never used it then, therefore I don't need it now.

[AndreR]

thats why they are making many remastered games for ps4. they dont need Backwards Compatibility. and the remastered games are looking way better . and if you ant to play old ps3 games on ps4. just get playstation now.

[Zenith4k]

Yes I need it NOW!!!

[Octo1]

No but it would be nice. I had the launch PS3 back in the day and I found myself playing PS3 games and not PS2 games *shocker*. I bought a PS3 to play PS3 games. Having the option to play PS2 games was a nice feature but I found myself hardly playing any of the PS2 games that I had. I guess in the case of PS4 this question depends on a whether you have a large PS3 library.

[MakinBaconXD]

This^. Also people seem to forget that if the ps4 did have native compatibility with ps2 or 3 games by having each of the past system's chips in the ps4(plus the ps4's),the ps4 would be much more expensive than it is now,and people would still complain -.-. Would it have been nice to have BC? Yeah,but the hard reality is that we can't always get what we want.

[frankiebeans]

I would like it because my $600 ps3 died and I missed a couple ps3 games that I want to play.

[kungfuian]

Its a nice feature but its system selling potential has likely passed for most. This type of thing would have been a game changer at launch but x2 years in and its likely lost much of its impact.

[WickedLester]

I can understand why the PS4 can't do native BC with PS3 titles. The PS3 hardware was way too exotic for the PS4 to properly emulate it. However the PS4 COULD play PS1 and PS2 titles through software emulation no problem!

IMO what Sony needs to do is A.) Make PS1 and PS2 backwards compatibility available on PS4 via emulation and B.) Any PS3 titles that are on PS Now that people already own, make those games available for free streaming to those that can verify said ownership, either through disk detection or through PSN digital purchase history.

[Angeljuice]

Why take all that time and effort to produce PS1/PS2 backwards compatibility when next to nobody wants to play PS1/PS2 games anymore?

[WickedLester]

Would it REALLY take all that much effort? You can find PS1 and PS2 emulators on smartphones. I find it hard to believe that adapting any 1 of those emulators to PS4 would be much of a chore.

[TwoForce]

Well, I understand. That would be nice to have that feature. But for me, I don't feel surprise to be honest. Yes, PS now is not the system people happy about. But if I wanted to play old games on PS4, I would be happy. But at the same time, I would played the old game less than new games. In real world, we people prefer new stuff over old stuff. For example, people will play new Star War Battlefront more than the old Battlefornt games. I'm not defend or against it. But In real world, we have to accept even we like it or not. I admitted it. It's kinda sucks.

[Ristul]

I remember demanding b/c on the original Xbox 360, then I used it only once with KotOR, and never used it again. It's a nice feature, but not something I think I would use that much.

[Rookie_Monster]

It is not a question of yes or no but PS3 cell chip is a pain to emulate so it is not even an option for Sony at this point. People tend to forget that a new trend stated last gen that was missing from the PS2 era, that is many titles are digital only and are absolutely gems like Journey. EVen many have retail games that are tied to a user account. It would be nice to have all my PS3 games just be there for me to download to my PS4 and adding to my game collection on a single system. But it is what it is.

[Tdmd]

Needs? No. No console should need bc and if it does, it probably means the console is in trouble. That being said, it certainly would be nice to have.

[Inzo]

Probably the best post on this thread.

[JJShredder]

Wow, all the downplaying of this feature that should of been in both consoles in the beginning. IT'S A PRO-CONSUMER FEATURE!

You know damn-well that if Sony was the one implementing this, it would be shouted from the rooftops and called the smartest decision ever made by a company.

But hey, if you folks want to get nickel and dimed over by PSnow and have your entertainment center get crowded over by aging hardware, be my guest......smh

[kenshiro100]

No one is downplaying BC. It's a nice feature to have but its not absolutely crucial to the PS4s survival.

[stragomccloud]

Yes it does. PS1,2, and 3 backwards compatibility. There are still older games I've yet to complete, and I'd really love to unplug my PS2 and PS3.

[kurochi]

Still kinda undecided on if PS4 should have backwards compatibility (bc). However, this does raise a good question for me. MS going ahead and announcing bc on Xbone. This tells me that they "might" start phasing out the 360 to help it's sales on the Xbone (of course not immediately, but maybe within 2-3 years?). Essentially sacrificing 360 sales to convert them to Xbone customers.
Sony on the other hand doesn't really need this as they are selling the PS4 extremely well.
The PS3 & 360 are both still selling. By announcing this move, MS has eliminated my need for the 360 which I will sell back now. It's a smart strategy by MS for trying to get the fringe/casual 360 owners to convert to Xbone. But at what cost and will it work??

[asmith2306]

Does it need it? No. Is it a nice to have? Yes.

[ScorpiusX]

We dont need that we got PSNow and it way better and great value to me abd fellow PS gamers. They van keep it ..... lol

[worldwidegaming]

PSNow = Empty your wallet...AGAIN!

[CaptainYesterday]

My PS3 won't last forever so it would be nice if I could play my big stack of PS3 games on my PS4.

[fitfox]

yes! F rebuying games

[EasilyTheBest]

Hey Microsoft, could your next big announcement be that you will soon be able to play all your PS3 games on the Xbox One.
Now that would be funny.
Oh, and the X1 isn't actually using an emulator to run the Xbox 360 games, that would never work.
The games are recompiled on a super computer, you then download the recompiled version of your original 360 game.

[MAULxx]

I like having BC. It's nice to have the option but honestly if it doesn't work with every game then its just a hassle and a headache. I just sold my PS2 system and library on eBay so I guess I don't care to go back to PS2 anymore :) If MS don't do any better with xbone BC than they did with 360 BC then its not worth much at all.
BC is very nice to have if its hardware and not emulated.
As far as PSNow goes.... Its a waste and nothing to me. I'll never use it. I'm not interested in streaming a video feed of a game. Plus, I still own and will be keeping my PS3 and games for awhile longer.

[Tyre]

For an insignificant feature Sony puts a lot of effort in providing us with the Sony back-catalog: PS1 games on PS/PS2 store...PS1 BC on PS2/PS3 and they removed PS2 hardware BC(because of expenditure), but later added PS2 Backwards Compatibility via emulation in a PS store purchase. Sony cares a lot about their BC, so much that they offer it now via PSnow, they CAN make an emulator also with recompiling to x86 (commercial purpose)(Cell is a PowerPC just like the Xbox360 CPU)..the PS3 differs as much from the x86 architecture (XB1 & PS4) as the Xbox360. They could also offer us a disc-based entry to PSnow, if you have the retail disc or bought the PS3 digital version, previous purchase gives you entry-right, stream that game without a fee. That would be the same as the MS offering BC for already purchased games. Why not? People who didn't buy it before will have to purchase(commercial value), but for Playstation gamers it will be a service. I think it's wonderful that MS has done this, besides the difference between PS2 and PS3 games/XBoriginal and XB360 is that we now have Trophies/Achievements and it is mighty cool that the validity of those Throphies/Achievements remain intact, we will always be able to get that special Throphies/Achievement via BC, it makes a huge difference. BC is also a given on PC. I'm still able to play that game from '96 for example. It keeps the value of your purchase in check...less like junk food more like culture/art/ disposable (surplus value).

[jokerisalive]

It would be nice to have it of course because it is another feature for an already great console the PS4. I commend MS for doing it and I hope Sony could do it but then again that would render PS NOW obsolete. So propably not going to happen.

[Skate-AK]

Technically it probably isn't possible. 360's architecture was a lot simpler.

[ironcrow2386]

no!! next daft question :)

[lolosgolos]

They can't, already locked in with BS now which I wonder if they can recoup there purchase price or even make the maintenance amount for it

[Izalith]

Psnow is a service and has come to some Samsung tv's, ps4 and it will expand further as a service.

Did someone said the cell is a power pc? Haha right. Cell a different beast with SPU's that need more advanced programming techniques. X architecture is much more easy, like we saw last gen when x360 runs much better on 85% of multiplatform games. So no it wont be easy for Sony to have BC.

I don't need BC. I just buying remakes/remasters with dlc, 1080p's, 60 fps's and more. Bought FFX-X2 remaster on Ps3. Played a while but now I have it on PS4.

[AstroCyborg]

oh look ign damaging controlling for sony who woulda thought