Sony: No PS2 Backwards Compat DLC for 40GB PS3, Ever.
- Scribbled on October 8th, 2007 by Jonah Falcon
- Filed in Hardware Mods, Industry News, Interviews, Sony PlayStation 3, WTF
SCEE Director of Corporate Communications Nick Sharples has adamantly stated that there would be no downloadable content for the 40GB version of the PlayStation 3 to add PlayStation 2 backwards compatibility:
We have no plans to do so at the moment. The sheer numbers of PS2 titles available, together with the increased complexity of using a software only solution for each and every title means that to ensure accurate software emulation for the majority would be technically challenging, time consuming and costly…As we have mentioned on several occasions, our engineering resources are now focused on developing new and innovative features and services for the PS3 and, as a result the 40GB model does not have backwards compatibility with PS2 titles.
Microsoft has proven that software backwards compatibility is possible - why is Sony so set in not providing it?
October 8th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
That’s terrible news for future owners, but while Microsoft has proven that it is possible, they haven’t proven that software backwards compatibility can be done well.
October 8th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
Well, one reason… Microsoft has like 10 titles anyone wants. PS2… there must be at least 60 titles people would want, and 3,200 titles (internationally) to port over.
Having a great library is a curse and a blessing. They chose to “cut corners” by reducing the hardware in PS2 back-compat rather than using DVD9 instead of BlueRay (where the real cost is associated with the pricy console).
In the end, Sony is showing they’re only looking forward to the future and don’t care much about the past.
Honestly, a PS2 is cheap enough to buy along side a PS3 and still save money over that honking 80GB model
But, I’ve never been a back-compat guy myself. Once I buy a new system I never look back.
October 8th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
“while Microsoft has proven that it is possible, they haven’t proven that software backwards compatibility can be done well.”
Something > Nothing
November 14th, 2007 at 11:51 am
[...] So, Sony is allowing the DualShock 3 controller to be backwards compatible with PlayStation 2 games but not their $399 40GB PlayStation 3’s? [...]
January 26th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Yes microsoft has proven that it works and that it is very expensive. Even though they have like 1/100th of the library that PS3 has, they have announced they are done. The total count of games appears to 465. If a multibillion dollar corp can only do 465 I really see no reason for Sony to try.