Sony patent hints backwards compatibility for PS3? |
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| BY Jason Son Jun. 30th, 2009 | More on: |
Once upon a time, the PS3 supported backwards compatibility. The villagers lived merrily, as they were able to play any game from their PS2 library on their next-generation console. But then, Big Bad Sony came into town and blew their houses down! Er, I mean, they introduced new PS3 models lacking backwards compatibility and gradually phased out the ones with them. The world fell into darkness, as PlayStation fans took out their frustrations on their lamps. And that is where we are at present day. But perhaps Sony is finally having a change of heart? We sure hope so and a recent patent filing boosts our optimism.
According to Siliconera, Sony has developed a method to emulate the PS2’s Emotion Engine on the PS3’s cell processors. As Siliconera puts it, “Theoretically, all PlayStation 3s would be able to play PS2 games even if a console didn’t have the proper hardware.” It would definitely be a smart move on Sony’s part; they could feature downloadable PS2 games on PSN–a la PSOne Classics–and people would still buy them (heck, I know I would). Of course, sometimes companies file patents and nothing ever comes to fruition. But we like happy endings (you pervert) and are crossing our fingers that Sony follows through with these plans.
June 30th, 2009
at 5:23 pm
i already own a ps3, so im not one of those guys saying ill buy when its price drops or it has bc, but from what ive read on the issue at other sites, this could potentially be only the downloadable titles similar to PSOne classics, and not the disc version, hopefully sony has some common sense here and will let us use the disc versions, because even though i certainly woulldn’t mind a digital version (i would prefer it actually) i doubt they’ll release many games in america for download, and even if they did theres 6 staples to my childhood, and only 1 of them mite come to the psn if this happened, final fantasy X. that means i wouldn’t be able to play Baldurs gate Dark allaicne 1 or 2, ace combat 4 or lord of the rings the 2 towers and return of the king, if i cant play those i dont care about BC at all to be honest.
sorry about the wall of text or if i confused any one.
in short they better not make it digital only, and allow us to use disc versions also. or else!
June 30th, 2009
at 5:25 pm
I’ve been hoping they’d let me play GOW2 for a while now. Make it happen, Sony.
June 30th, 2009
at 5:47 pm
This is just more rank speculation on my part, but Sony may have avoided implementing this earlier because the PS2 was selling so well. With the PS3 and the PSP performing behind their competitors in sales, Sony needed to inflate their sales numbers. With PS2 sales attenuating, Sony may begin to implement software-based backwards compatibility for PS2 games, as long as they can overcome the technical hurdles of software emulation. After they phase out the PS2 and the price of the PS3 drops, backwards compatibility could be a major selling point to PS2 owners who want to upgrade.
July 1st, 2009
at 7:44 am
I was under the impression that the hard part wasn’t emulating the EE but the graphics synthesizer. If they’ve managed to emulate the GS on the Cell (and I imagine they can), then I’m all for downloadable PS2 games and BC on PS3s other than the 20 or 60 GB. Even though I own a 20GB, I would welcome the ability to trade PS2 games with people who have a more recent 40, 80 or 160 GB PS3.
July 1st, 2009
at 2:42 pm
I have written a article on this and will publish it soon. Aside from that I can;t imagine why the ALL POWERFULL PS3 can’t emulate a ps2. Some where along the line in the planning stages somebody made a booboo. Has Sony learnt nothing?
I plan to start playing the Ps2 collection by the end of this year and I will be playing it on a white singstar ps2. why? because its worth every penny.
July 1st, 2009
at 6:36 pm
I was thinking that now that the “slim PS3″ rumors are getting stronger, this might be something they include in that model, while perhaps sacrificing some other features. This is certainly good news because my PS2 is getting ready to die.
July 1st, 2009
at 7:36 pm
JMA: couldn’t Sony have just put bc on the PS3 anyway? PS2 sales subsequently would tank, but then sales of PS3s would be spurred on by added bc, thereby making up losses from PS2 sales decline. Or is my math here off? Anyway, I just think at some point Sony has to pull the trigger on a slimmer, bc, and cheaper system if they don’t want to be the GameCube of this console gen.