Sony Patents Emotion Engine Emulation Technology For Cell Processors

PlayStation 2's use the emotion engine as a processor, which was removed from PS3s to save money. This killed off PS2 backwards compatibility, but Sony has a new software solution.

A patent filed by Sony has a method for the cell processor to emulate the emotion engine which can bring PS2 backwards compatibility to all PS3s.

[ajay_solidsnake]

Hell YEAH !!!!

[Parapraxis]

What I said.
This is fantastic to see. I was always pretty sure they'd make proper PS2 emulation, but it has taken some time. Hopefully it's implementation is not too far down the line. =)

[Chris399]

It looks legit though.

And... awesome, of course! This is the natural order of things though, in migrating PS2 users to the PS3. Furthermore, PS2 games stored directly on my HD would be a dream come true. (Because if they're emulating the PS2, expect the same service as with PS1 legacy titles.)

[darthv72]

Explain this to me. There hasn't been an EE chip in the PS3 since the original 60 and 20gb sku's. So what is driving the bc in the 80gb ones? I know there wasnt any bc in the early 40's and later 80gb models but wasnt software driving the early 80gb (motorstorm, mgs4) or was there still some type of chip emu just not the likes of the EE?

My 80gb is a motorstorm with software b/c. Is this a new or old article???

Please clarify.

[Ldubbz]

from wikipedia:

the North American 80 GB model also excludes the PlayStation 2 "Emotion Engine" CPU chip. However, it still keeps the "Graphics Synthesizer" GPU. Due to elimination of the "Emotion Engine", the level of compatibility was reduced

Would be nice if they implement this...I still gotta finish SotC

EDIT: So not only must they emulate the CPU (Emotion Engine), they have to also emulate the GPU. With the 80GB models, they are already emulating the EE. Unfortunately nowhere in here do they state anything about emulating the GPU.

[Carl1412]

Sony ALREADY emulate the EE chip. They took out the EE for the European 60GB versions and emulated it, leaving only the GS in there. It's the GS they need to learn to emulate

[PirateThom]

The ones without the Emotion Engine, still had the GSX (GPU) which allowed, and meant, the EE only had to be emulated in software.

[UnSelf]

now i can longer say i have the best version of the ps3

60 ftw no more :(

nah jus kidding LONG LIVE SONY!!!!!!!

[Carl1412]

Yes but they then removed the GS aswell, so they are completely void of PS2 hardware. They need to emulate the GS before they have any hope of implementing any PS2 compatability without the hardware in there

[leila01]

I'll buy another PS3 if true.

[phosphor112]

Who called it? I called it. So did other Sony fanboys, cuz they know it was all a business thing when they took out BC. It's common sense.

[CadDad]

I'm still glad they might put this in all PS3's. There are a lot of PS2 games that are really well made games that new generations of PS3 players should play if they have the notion.

Options never hurt.

-CadDad

[sonarus]

My guess is PS2 games on PSN

[WhittO]

Maybe, since this will be totally software emulation, we can remain signed into the PSN and can use the in-game XMB ?

[Rainstorm81]

Phase out the PS2 SKU!!!!!!

Focus on PS3 and PSP. i was just talking about this in an earlier thread. third parties will support ps2 forever. Hopefully this will bridge the gap for PS2 owners to get a PS3.

Next Price Drop and PS2 games on PSN - checkmate

Edit @ sloth
i agree

[sloth4urluv]

A feature that should have been included from the start.
I always saw the initial hardware solution as ultra lame, its not like they didnt have proper amount of time to plan for this. If some kid can reverse engineer a game and write interpriter for a PC in his free time, that the developer of the hardware with plenty resources at its disposal is unable to do so in a timely manner.

Im thankfull that its finally comming, but this a feature that should have been implimented at launch.

[xwabbit]

Always have said that they would release an emulator l8r in the future :P

[Traveler]

This is fantastic news. My PS3 already has BC but I know that there are lots of PS3 gamers out there who have more recent PS3 models and would love to have PS2 backwards compatibility. I use my PS3 to play lots of great PS2 games like Shadow of the Colossus, Metal Gear Solid 3, God of War, Tenchu, Resident Evil 4 and Okami.

This is why I love Sony. They support their products and continually work to improve them.

[IdleLeeSiuLung]

Good PS2 BC support is all I ask for in my PS3 this year!!!

Good because most of the time software BC doesn't work that well with glitches and stuff. Just look at the 360 software BC on MvC2. I'm guessing the PS3 software BC is similar....

[GameGambits]

When is this going to happen? I want an official statement from Sony ASAP! I was planning to buy back a PS2 and a buncha games I missed out on this August along with a new PSP Dissidia Bundle.

I need to know if I can save the money, but really if it won't be till later in the year I'll drop the money in August lol. I can't wait much longer to try out Persona 4. Giantbomb endurance runs are making me so antsy to play day by day. :(

[ultimolu]

ZOMG! :o

I have a PS3 with backwards capability but wow... this is great news.

[randomwiz]

@bubbles

We 60gb owners still have the most ports... take that newer ps3 owners!

@raiinstorm81

taking out the ps2 would kill Sony's Playstation department... the ps2 is just warming up in countries like Brazil, and MANY other developing countries.

[Sheikh Yerbouti]

Bubbles for everybody above, on me!

[UnSelf]

im a lady.....(covers bare chest)

[meepmoopmeep]

i hope it can run off PSP like the PS1 games do now.

that would be teh awesome!

anyway, i have a 60GB PS3 so no worries for me.

[JL]

I have to admit, I never understood why BC was always made such a big deal. I rarely (if ever) go back and play old games once I've moved to the next generation. And if I do, I just use the PS2 I have sitting around to do that (actually I got rid of mine already, but that's because I didn't want to play any old games, and sis wanted the ps2). I mean I understand the benefit of it and all, just alot of times I hear it hyped like it's one of the most awesome features ever. And THAT is what I don't get, it's nice, but not THAT awesome imo (maybe that's just cause I always keep the old system til I realize I'm not playing any old games at all anymore). That being said, this is good news because evidently alot of people do want this. And this should prove to help Sony with the evident demand for this feature to be put back in. And who knows, I might even get around to going back and finally playing the old Ico games and GOW games, without having to go get another ps2 (or bothering getting that one back from my sis). I think where this will really shine is in being able to download ps2 games and it actually work now.

[Thugbot187]

Good Job Sony 3 cheers

[Traveler]

Who doesn't go back and play some of the great games on older systems? Does a game suddenly stop being good just because a new generation starts? Games like Shadow of the Colossus and God of War are timeless classics that can always be enjoyed. It's true that with all the awesome games constantly coming out on the new systems that I don't have a lot of time to play older games, but I still find the time for some games because they are just that good.

Keeping your old system is fine and dandy, but I know that a lot of us don't really have the room to have that many systems hooked up to our TVs and it is nice to have one device that can do it all. Backwards compatibility might not be essential but it is certainly a valuable feature to have.

[ThanatosDMC]

Downloadable PS2 games... HERE THEY COME!!!

I want:
1. DMC1 and DMC3
2. Suikoden 3
3. ZOE1 and ZOE2
4. I recently bought the MGS collection so yeah.

[JL]

Oh I'm not saying (and never said) going back and playing old games is a bad thing or anything like that. You're right, great games are great games no matter what the time. I even downloaded FFVII recently when they brought it out. I'm just saying I think the BC thing is blown out of proportion. Quite frankly, I don't have the time for gaming like I used to, I have a hard enough time playing the games coming out that I want to play, let alone going back and playing alot of older games. Granted I'll use this BC feature to go back and play SOTC and GOW (since I never played them). I'm just saying BC is given an importance above most features, which I don't agree with personally. There are many more features that I would rather have and would put above BC. I never said it was a bad thing at all. It definitely has it's advantages, just don't personally think it should have an importance over things that it gets importance over. I didn't mean to say that I disagreed with BC if that's how you took it. Think you just misunderstood what I was saying. In fact I pretty much agree with everything you said almost spot on.

"Backwards compatibility might not be essential but it is certainly a valuable feature to have."
That quote right there, in fact, sums it up for me perfectly. Definitely has value, but it's not essential. And that's the only thing I was getting at. Alot of people make it out to be that it's essential that all systems have it, which just isn't so, it's not THAT important. That's my only qualm. But it definitely has it's benefits, of which I plan to utilize to some degree. Like playing SOTC and GOW (since I haven't played those like I said). Because like you said, I just can't be bothered with having a ps2 hooked up here too with everything else that I have hooked up. I also wouldn't mind downloading Crash Team Racing (ever since I saw they had it on the Japan store). Me and friends used to have lots of fun with that being the center of the party (and Mario Kart too), which is why I'm also excited for ModNation Racer--but I'm getting a bit off topic now.

Edit: Good call Prototype. I had been wanting to try Persona 4 too.

It sucks when I have to b*tch about Sony having too many good products/games that I can't keep up with lol

[blackpanther25]

funny how you skipped DMC2. lol everyone knows that one sucked. So you should get ready for DMC5 cause DMC4 was ok(unless u actually liked it)

[Prototype]

This is good news; now I can at least buy a newer PS3 model with confidence knowing I don't have to buy an extra PS2 just to play certain games I'm looking at (Persona 4 currently) since I have the origional 60 GB model with a 500 GB HDD installed.

PSN -> Nitrojin

[Ilikegames76]

and give more support to remote play on the PSP. Imagine being able to play all the PS2 games on the PSP.

[Tsar4ever01]

AT 1st, I thought this is just like the PAL versions of the PS3 with the limited BC, But THIS must be something entirely different. I wonder which version of the PS2's gonna be emulated. Will it be the 30000/50000 series or the PS2 slim 70000/90000 series?

Man I'm getting SPUN-UP for some more deep info about this!!!

[ThanatosDMC]

The only thing i liked in DMC2 was the last boss for Dante and Bloody Palace.

Everything else especially Lucia sucked. Her voice makes me want to punch babies. (yeah, it's that bad)

[Mr Remington]

This is bulls***. I payed extra for my backwards compatibility.

[Syronicus]

If true and for certain, a true jump into a great number of consoles sold. I know many people that want the PS3 but do not want to have two consoles on their entertainment center. Having BC would make amny folks I know happy.

[cl63AMG]

Dewd maybe this is FW 3.0's big thing?

[Liquid_Ocelot]

just found this around...

http://appft1.uspto.gov/net...

[mfwahwah]

@1.15

It's not that they didn't have the emulation ready years ago. It's just that the PS2 is STILL A MONEY MAKER. It was a business decision, not a technical difficulty. I thought every body and their moms knew this.

I can't wait for this though, I knew this day would come.

[sloth4urluv]

Really?
If that is the case then why did they bother to include backwards compatibility hardware in the early models?

I guess adding extra hardware cost to the PS3 helps MAKE money and is cheaper than just software, everybody and there mom knows that...

[EpicGamerSwordsman]

This is great news, considering my bro owns a 40gb ps3 model, i just have one question, will it support online?, Because i've been looking into playing SOCOM II Again :)

[Cajun Chicken]

Ooh!

[saint_john_paul_ii]

its coming, its just when. No PS2 games on the PS store is a missed opportunity. not to mention a Huge opportunity if it was at the store. just look at sales of MGS1 and FFVII on the store.

It would be awesome if we get this at the end of the year.

[Cajun Chicken]

I agree. Finally I might be able to play the old R&Cs on my EU 60 gigger.

[saint_john_paul_ii]

Next time when they Introduce the PS4, they have to go through Software emulation for BC for PS3/PS2 games. PS1 software emulation BTW has been around for a while since the PS2 days.

[iamtehpwn]

with PCSX2.
One of the most beautiful games EVER.
Very few graphical errors
1280x1080 full speed 60fps

[sloth4urluv]

Exactly, you can do so much more with software emulation.

Even if the games native resolution is alot lower you can force it to render (not upscale) in a higher resolution and also apply other filters such as Aniscopic Filtering and Anti Aliasing.

[iamtehpwn]

Final Fantasy X looks a brand new game because I have x16 AA, the best texture filtering, and all the settings up on Max.

I want to try more games with it, It's absolutely great.
PS3's software emulation should offer these features.

[rob6021]

You have to admit the recent rush of PSone games on the PSstore might just be out of word of PS2 titles becoming available in the near future. I already have a BW compatible system, I'm really hoping they can do something interesting like double the resolution.

[SpoonyRedMage]

Isn't the PS3 easily capable of emulating the PS2 anyway, surprised it took this long but yeh definately good news.

[AznSniper]

Obviously, they are waiting until the end of the PS2's selling life, and then they will implement it. It's still selling.

[saint_john_paul_ii]

Back when the PS3 launched, it included PS2 hardware on it as well, which were the CPU(Emotion Engine) and GPU(Graphics Synthesizer). They removed it for costs, thus the reason why the PS3 cant play PS2 games.

It is capable of emulating PS2 games via software, but they need to come up with the code to allow to emulate on the Cell on the Cell/RSX.

[sorceror171]

This patent doesn't talk about emulating the "Graphics Synthesizer", the GPU in the PS2. And that's hard to emulate - it had *massive* bandwidth straight to RAM, but only 4MB on board. So most games streamed textures and vertexes and so forth to it from system RAM. That's hard to emulate - indeed, it's close to the speed of the PS3's bandwith. Add in overhead for emulation, and it's very hard to get it working in realtime.

Not impossible, but hard. Unfortunately, I don't see how this patent helps that. Maybe Sony's solved it... but we'll have to wait and see.

[ChickeyCantor]

Spoony,
You need to write an interpreter for the emotion engine. That might take some time...however this isn't done by some hombrewers, so its surprise it took this long.

[Mikelarry]

always get excited when i hear news about bc coming to all ps3 and i wish this one will hold true. i mean its not too much to ask so that i can get my SSX tricky on.

[redsquad]

Glad I never chucked out all those old PS2 games.

[Spawnofgods333]

looks like sony is finally ready to kill off the ps2

[thebudgetgamer]

looks like sony is finally ready to retire the ps2.

:)

[heyheyhey]

nope, that sucker will keep selling well into the 22nd century IMO.. could reach 2014

[-MD-]

The 22nd century is 2101–2200 FYI.

2014 is still in the 21st century. century = 100 not 10

I want to preserve the luls. Actual quote from heyheyhey - "nope, that sucker will keep selling well into the 22nd century IMO.. could reach 2014"

[thebudgetgamer]

http://www.destructoid.com/...

:)

[PirateThom]

I knew it was coming, I'm hoping this system allows for a decent percentage of the PS2 library to be played, similar to the partial PS2 hardware PS3s.

[Johnny Rotten]

now is this going to be an emulation for users to play their already owned PS2 games or will it be for future PS2 games that end up on the PS store?

[SevWolf]

Either way, ill be happy, cause there are a lot if the oldies on the PS2 that I havent tried which are pretty hard to find, hopefully if it is throught the PS Store they'll put these great ones

[man0fsteel]

Y E S!

[Sir Ken_Kutaragi]

I still play PS2(+PS1)games on my PS3;)

PS1 games + PS2 games are part of PlayStation's History!!!;)

[Obama]

Same here, I am still playing the ps2 games persona 3.

By the way, the 360 is also the "hottest" in the xbox's history

[-MD-]

I agree the 360 is pretty sexy.

Actual quote from heyheyhey - "nope, that sucker will keep selling well into the 22nd century IMO.. could reach 2014"

[evilmonkey501]

The cell processor is powerful enough to run ps2 games. The emulation is already in place and has been for some time. This feature will become available when Sony officially stops supporting the ps2. Seeing as how the ps2 still sells so well, this could be a while off. However, it WILL happen. All that needs to take place is that one firmware update. I have seen it personally and it works well. Upscaled and smoothed out , you've never seen a ps2 game look so good. Rumor has it that this will be introduced with the GOD OF WAR 3 COLLECTORS EDITION.
It might contain 1 and 2 plus 3 in all its ps3 glory.I Hope this is true as gow 2 is the only ps2 game out that I never got a chance to play. I would definitely spend the $90 US ON THIS BUNDLE. I might be wrong, but its unlikely. I know for a fact that this will only be released when Sony really lets the ps2 burn out, and it might be soon too realizing that Sony is releasing the ability to make homebrew and games for the ps2 for third world countries like India, russia and the rest of Eurasia. This will probably happen within 18 months or less.I guarantee it.

[ravinash]

I'm just thinking about all the games that can then come out on the playstation network.
With less work to do to get the game running on the PS3, they can just role out the PS1 & PS2 games at will.

[JockamoTwo]

...the problem with having a PS2 emulator run successfully on most high end PCs is that the graphics card bottle-necked and couldn't withstand a high amount of processing. The fact that the PS3 has suffered from that same issue, as stated by devs, leads me to believe that it will take a lot if ingenuity to successfully emulate a PS2 game.

Hope they can pull it off...

[TheBand1t]

I've been playing PS2 games since 2006, though it's nice to see people will be getting it in some shape or form.

[ElementX]

LOL, adding something that should've been there from the start... just like rumble

*EDIT* @ below
Sony said rumble wasn't next-gen. I'm not referring to any potential legal situation.

*EDIT EDIT*
I never owned PS2. I want to see what all the fuss is about Ico and Shadow of the Colossus. I played some of God of War, though on my old roommate's PS2

[Carl1412]

It was in there at the start ;)

[thebudgetgamer]

what would you have them do, delay the ps3 till they could use rumble again?

:)

[Oner]

Never owned a PS2 and played only a few titles on a roommates?!?! Yet people are supposed to take what you say about games and consoles seriously? Absolutely Amazing....

[ElementX]

I owned a Sega Master System, NES, Sega Genesis, 3D0, Playstation, Xbox, PS3, 360, Wii, DS, and PSP. Only have a PS3 now. During the time of the PS2 I played PC games.

[Oner]

Oh okay! That's a better repertoire. My apologies for the harsh reply (I think I may have actually confused you with someone else).

[ElementX]

It's ok. No hard feelings.

[PiTCHBLaCK]

It still is the time of the PS2.

[Oner]

NP, cool.

[doctorstrange]

but remember how long ago the patents for the sony motion control where leaked, this may take some time to come into fruition

[a_squirrel]

sony files patent for a new motion Sensing Device
FP 936 days 14 hours ago | Pub 936d 14h ago

hmmm that's 936/365 = 2.5 years!!!!

but then again, that was entirely new technology which also requires games, and is a whole lot more advanced, while this isn't

[-MD-]

Please let this be a future firmware update I really really really want to play some Kingdom Hearts.

Edit: Banish the Kingdom Hearts hater that disagreed with me.

[heyheyhey]

when you DO get angry, it encourages them to disagree more and hence laugh more at your futile remarks

[-MD-]

Wait... people disagree with people to make them angry? People actually get mad over something like that?

"when you DO get angry, it encourages them to disagree more and hence laugh more at your futile remarks "

I've never been angry on this website just ashamed of certain people.

Also hey you're that guy that thinks 2014 is the 22nd century! Sup bro!

Edit: @Band1t - I thought it was a pretty neat game.

[a_squirrel]

lol....

[TheBand1t]

Kingdom Hearts was awful IMO, but I didn't disagree.

[Rainstorm81]

bubbles for the laugh

Edit @ above

Kingdom hearts was a pretty good game the whole Final fantasy meets Disney theme was surprisingly well done. Especially if you were a fan of Disney classic characters.

[2Negativecool]

Cuz it's funny

[LittleBigSackBoy]

Kingdom Hearts 2 is my favourite game of all time.

[Nikuma]

I thought KH2 was horrible compared to the first one.

[a_squirrel]

YEAH!!!!!!

[jerethdagryphon]

i kind of wish ps2 had sold 8 times more units
:( would have been nice for sony to say that it sold 1 billion ps2s, and would have set the ba so high noone would beat it

[-MD-]

You will never see a console sell a billion units in your lifetime.

[-MD-]

So there are at least 2 idiots out there that think gaming will become 10 times more popular in our lifetime.

[PiTCHBLaCK]

And the world is flat. :)

[a_squirrel]

lol...

WHO IS THE IDIOT HITTING THE DISAGREE BUTTON???!?!?!

[Godmars290]

If it only applies to a new chip set/model? If not then there's going to be a ton of "old" middle units that are going create BC confusion.

[MeatAbstract]

Every PS3 being able to play PS2 games would be a dream come true. If or when this is implemented and they add PS2 games to the PSN, Sony will once again be rolling in the monies.

Also, they should add trophies to PS2 games lol.

[a_squirrel]

and now everyone needs to buy a memory card adapter :D

because we can use those ps2 gamesaves

[Karum]

I'd love some PS2 games that I maybe wasn't into back then to make their way to the PSN at some point.

I never got to play Icio or SOTC and a few other games that I can't be bothered going and hunting down.

Would be awesome if this came to fruition.

[bjornbear]

So in future, all PS3's will be PS2 BC? =O OMG FTW x 10000000000000000000000 =D!!!!!

[MriownBOTH]

it was a bad move on sonys part to take it out in the first place....

but as long as my ps3 get BC ill be happy

[Karum]

Actually from Sony's point of view it was a smart move.

They were losing money on each PS3 sold so what they did was remove BC from the PS3 which kept PS2 sales alive, they were making profit on the PS2 and PSP hardware sales and these were used to help negate the loss being made by PS3 sales and enabled them to bring the price down from a $500 and $600 price point to $100 less for each version of the PS3.

When you think about it from sony's perspective it was a smart move.

[MriownBOTH]

just hope it don't take more than a year

[Quickstrike]

Firmware 3.0 = Backwards capability update =D

[Godmars290]

If this new BC is region free.

[Phoenix20881]

I thought the 80GB could already emulate the EE. The removal of the Reality Synthesizer chip from future models is what eliminated BC in the PS3, not the EE. This patent filing is probably old, I wouldn't get your hopes up guys.

[yencid]

filed on September 19, 2008

[jack who]

kinda too late?

[Too_Hyped]

like your birth ?

[-x.Red.x-]

too late for what?

oh yea, buying xbox720 next year so it can complete with the ps3?

[Rifle-Man]

Fvck yeah!

Metal Gear Solid 2-3 and Shadow of the Colossus, here I come!

[Look_Behind]

PS3 Slim... NUFF SAID

[CobraKai]

It'd be nice if they can use the PS3 to clean up the graphics for HD in some way. My upscaled xbox games look great in HD, but my PS2 not so much.

[psiom]

Why would this need to be patented?

Who else would run PS2 emulation on cell processors?

[Godmars290]

At the very least, you could be sure that they'd patent it, then charge Sony to use it.

[JonnyBigBoss]

^

And you KNOW they would do that.

[OmegaWolf]

cool

[yencid]

http://appft.uspto.gov/neta...

and im another one that would love to play KH. :>

[blazbleu]

Hell yeah! Persona 4, here I come!!!

[ReBurn]

It would be good to see the backward compatibility come back to the PS3. I hope it happens.

[Claudinho69]

that probably means they will start selling ps2 games on the store

[JonnyBigBoss]

This + PS3 slim + price drop = consumer paradise.

[Persistantthug]

Think about it.....All Sony did was PATENT this idea/concept.

So, now, if some "regular Joe" tries to create and release some "homebrew" BC, it could now be viewed as patent infringement and/or Piracy.

This is the first thing that came to mind when I saw these patent specs.

Probably not the greatest thing for us PS3 consumers, imo.

[Nihilism]

i've been holding of getting a ps3 for this..i couldn't justify a ps3 for sony's current library, but if i can play upscald ffx etc then i'm happy

[Persistantthug]

Sony took it out for a reason....

Probably because they know you'd buy less PS3 games if you can get cheap PS2 games both new and used.

[Covenant]

About BLOODY TIME!!

[koehler83]

Although for the sake of the majority left stranded without BC, I hope this is true; Nothing will ever replace my precious 60GB turned 300GB.

[debuchan]

with gow1 and 2 march 2010

[Grown Folks Talk]

it's easy to see that developement is finally winding down for the PS2. Still has some upper tier titles coming, but nowhere near the amount of overall games as compared to the last few years. Figured they would do this soon. Give people a reason to upgrade while slowly phasing out the old system.

[a_squirrel]

Whoa, ultimate SONY game plan

Release firmware, which allows FULL ps2 emulator emulation
Release Ps3 Slim 100gb which has Firmware Pre-Installed

Ps2 Owners convert to Ps3 slim :D

and my fellow readers.... PLEASE!!!! can I have a bubble :S ?

[Godmars290]

Why not just put out a 80GB slim with full PS2 BC? Forget that they hurt the BC, the majority of which at this point is re-sale, the profits of which they don't see dime of.

Not that BC, a few high-end new PS2 games to send the console out on, plus $300 price point might just be enough. If the marketing was done right vs a $200 360.

[Finalfantasykid]

Since PS2 and maybe PS1 games will be running on the cell, maybe some extra graphics improvements will be able to be made, like better upscaling, and maybe some AA, and better load times perhaps.

[RealtorMDandDC]

Did think off...that......but you have a great point...and do not see why this cannot work

[JJFNIGHTS80]

Man if I knew this was coming I would of got this EE with the 80GB and not get the 60GB. If this does comes out I would trade it in for that model when it comes available.

[KilZoneGeneralStrife]

Me :)

[EvilCackle]

I'm not buying a different version of a console I already own just because it can play games from another console I already own.

[dustgavin]

Then don't buy it. Yesh.

[koehler83]

If it's a firmware update, it applies to all units, whether you want it or not. All PS3 units run the same firmware. It would benefit everyone. Possibly even 60GB and 20GB owners.

[ChilliDemon]

What you say is true. However, just because all PS3's run the same firmware, it doesn't mean that the firmware can't be coded to work differently on different PS3 SKU's. Any BC contained in future firmware might only activate in new SKU's.

[JonnyBigBoss]

That's insane. Can you imagine a $299 BC PS3? That'd be the best console to date hardware wise.

[RealtorMDandDC]

but mind is already B/C..............w/160GB custom HDD....

[Stryfeno2]

Why do it now? Sony is always late for the party.

[Major_Tom]

Haha Like Xbox 360 did. Unlike Xbox's meager library, there are still unfathomable amount of ridiculously good games on the PS2 that people want to play so why not give it to them.

[Model]

you suck ass sir

[DarkBlood]

bassically since i missed the ps2 days and i was mostly with gamecube and part xbox for the remainder of its years anyways years later i got a ps3 which was like a year or 2 ago i dont remeber

anyways im just catching up on ps2 titles espically final fantasy titles i wanted to play when it first came out and of course there are titles i have to play espically after playing prequal god of war which was awsome and the gameplay was addictive

man theres soooo many titles and in a way its a good thing i miss it because now they are all cheaper

[xionpunk]

HELLS YES

I didn't feel this way in the beginning but I have come to miss BC. Since starting on FFX, it's been a pain not being able to play on my PS3. Hopefully this is real.

[majanika]

this is something i wish my ps3 had and i'm hoping i'll be able to get it on our 160gb system. Thinking that the ps2 is now in it's 10th year and originally was suppose to have a 10 year life span perhaps sony has decided to make the ps3 b/c to get those who have held off on purchasing a ps3 to hang on to there ps2's..that being said we have 2 ps2's and the ps3 hooked up. I wouldn't mind getting rid of the ps2's though if our ps3 could be b/c.

[ZOMBIEMAN1]

can't say anything positive when there's a pro Sony article that has nothing to do with MS or 360 truly these men , boys whatever are a credit to there ppl . here's an idea guys if you don't like playstation why comment on articles about FW or possible PS3 getting backwards capabilities again and posting something negative like it's late for that really why ? it doesn't have anything to do with your usual Sony bashing . on a side not if PS3 gets backwards capabilities again i'll be the second console to play games from it's previous generation consoles with i believe Atari 7800 has that title as it plays Atari 2600 & 5200 games and i would love to play my PS2 games without reconnecting my PS2 to my tv

[Conan-O-Brady]

While it doesn't effect me personally , I have a launch 60 gig . my sons PS3 is a 40 gig with no bc . He has been pestering me to upgrade him to one of the 80 gig bc systems . So I hope it happens .........

[kissmeimgreek]

huh, so that retty much triples the size of the ps library. remind me to look into buying a cheaper used ps3....

[onanie]

Great news indeed. Even if it does not include the graphics synthesizer (i think what EE includes or does not include is debatable), it does confirm Sony's commitment to enable BC. Otherwise, why bother patenting it?

I also think they don't necessarily have to retire the PS2 before they enable this, as it would only increase the PS2 audience by quite a bit (PS2-less PS3 owners, lol). But i can understand why it wasn't a priority for them.

[KilZoneGeneralStrife]

Cuz I got a 80gig without BC,so Im :) I'll just wait now

[Digitaldude]

Ace, simply brilliant ill pay for it.

[Gitaroo]

it is the lack of eDram that prevent the full software emulation. EE software emulation has already been done on the older 80 gig ps3 with backward compatibility. Its nothing new. Been said many time before, if anything 360 is more suitable for a PS2 software emulation than the PS3, because it sues edram just like the PS2.

[Tsar4ever01]

Sony is the only videogame system in the history of gaming consoles that fully supported it game titles from previous generations. In fact it was the reason why MICROSOFT was forced to implement BC(*but limited) in it's x360 console, cuz at 1st they weren't doin' it. Also nintendo had to follow suit also because of the backlash microsoft got.
Sony pioneered the BC concept, And to take it out because of manufacturing cost, Was a SUPER HARD KICK right in their own ass.

But if this DO come to past, I have some worries.
How will this software firmware gonna effect the consoles of people who already have Ps2 BC?

Which of the ps2's EE/GS series gonna get emulated? 30000/50000 or Ps2 slimline 70000/90000?

What about the disc speed and texture softener for the psOne games, will that feature will be in the emulator?

[JD_Shadow]

Not to say that Sony didn't take the concept and run with it, but they didn't do BC first. The VERY first game console manufacturer that did this (as least that I can remember) was Atari. When they launched the 7800, it was able to also play the 2600 games, and the 7800 was to be the 2600's successor (and it's a shame it didn't catch on, either. It would've had a good lifespan if the circumstances were better since it was a pretty good system for its time).

[HarukoHex]

yes lets finally put the backwards cap back into the system, since our ps3 games are not selling well enough lets go back to our old games.

J.k.

good news this will have me buying another ps3 to replace my orange light one. >.> not that i don't want to replace it but i haven't really been able to pull myself away from WoW since LK. XD

[kaveti6616]

Why do they need to patent it? It's only useful and relevant to the PS3; it's not like another company can use this, since the tech requires parts of the PS3 hardware.

[HarukoHex]

you could backward engineer it to work on PC or 360, just because it has a couple different parts doesn't mean you couldn't bypass it.

[kaveti6616]

You're right. I regret posting that comment because about an hour later I remembered how emulators work on PCs. Then it's a good patent, but I'd expect some geek to try and steal the idea for his own uses.

[Mo0eY]

This will probably be apart of Sony's 3.0 update.

[devilhunterx]

or 2.9

[air1]

or 5.0

[FF7numbaone]

Problem = lack of jrpgs on ps3
Solution = BC for the massive jrpgs exclusive to ps2

[vx]

man i wana play MGS3 so badly ..hurry up SONY!!

[Godmars290]

If can this be done though an update, if this is done through a mandatory update, then what's going to be its effect on millions of older units?

[sam2236]

This has to be the best news ever! Project Zero here I come!!

[Tunerboy8732]

I gotta 40gb ps3 and a crap load of ps2 games with nothing to play them on.I hope this is true.

[JD_Shadow]

From tomorrow's headlines:

"Sony smashes PS2 BC for PS3 patent rumors."

[Violentine]

great news

[meni12321]

SONY you doing great with us !!!!

[jazy]

The one feature that i have been holding out on for ever since the ps3 came without BC.

I would pick a PS3 up tomorrow if they put this baby in.......all my ps2 games playable...

DO IT SONY>>>>DON"T THINK JUST DO!

[Blacktric]

Finafu*kingly. After two years of waiting they're finally releasing it. I think they wanted to sell more PlayStation 2 this way.

[Figboy]

before they came up with a software emulation for the PS2.

i have a 60gig PS3, so i already have PS2 BC, but it's nice to see them working on a solution, so it will, at the least, shut people up.

i admit i play PS2 games quite a bit on my PS3 (i have a bunch of RPGs to beat still), but i bought my PS3 to play PS3 games, not PS2 games, so BC wasn't ever a motivating factor for me purchasing a PS3.

i WAS however, just playing Second Sight from Free Radical on my PS3 today. what a great game. it's a shame Free Radical will forever be known as "those guys that made HAZE," even though HAZE wasn't the train wreck that the internet made it out to be (it's pacing and tempo was EXACTLY like Halo, and the controls were even just as silky smooth, but people hated on it hardcore because it was a PS3 exclusive).

maybe PS3 firmware 3.0 will feature it, especially if it's unveiled at whatever gaming press event is coming up this year(like GDC and TGS).

[fossilfern]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS SSS nice one Sony! you can always rely on them :D

[DW]

Awesome ... if this works, hopefully I can dream of popping in my old saves (which I have done already) and cash in on trophies .. or play those oldies (painfully) again to get em. LOL

[SuperStrokey1123]

there wouldnt be trophies on ps2 games...

[maverick1191]

doesn't bother me 60gb launch owner going strong here i can play ps2 games all day but still nice to see if it happens and if this ps3 slim is real im defo buying one this fall

60gb ps3 FTW!!

[likedamaster]

If anything it's bad timing from Sony's part. On the other hand, this could be a telltale sign of the ps2 being discontinued sooner rather than later; at the same time making room for the PS4. Not bad news actually. My 2 pennies.

[chisox100]

awesome my ps3 fell down the stairs the other day and broke. Now i have a solution even if thats months off.

[Chriswsm]

I am sure some people will love this however I have to admit that I left all my PS2 games behind a long time ago.

Its all about the new stuff.

[deshon09]

for me it has not be a problem i have a 60 gig just upgraded to a 500 gig but for my wife's 80 gig she love her ps2 well most of them are mine but this means i can play mine in peace without herring let me uses yours my dose not play ps2 games lol

[Clarence Callahan]

i'd be so happy if ps2 games came on ps store, nfs most wanted FTW! (lol, and of course tons of other amazing games!)

[yorkie]

I got a 60 gig release version of the PS3 so I've got BC but honestly after a couple of months never felt like going back to PS2 games. Not complaining though I think it's great news as a lot of people wanted this feature and the more features the better. Who said you can't please all the people all the time.

[Nova-Black-Fox]

dont care i got the 80 gig

[Nova-Black-Fox]

cool for others tho

[Nova-Black-Fox]

... but great for others

[Ninjamonkey]

personally I dont play ps2 games much on my ps3 so Im not that bothered.

I only evrr used it to catch up on MGS really.