Sony Puts Final Nail in Backwards Compatibility Coffin
Prior to the announcement of the PS3 Slim, many speculated that the new PS3 model would come with backward compatibility built-into the system. Unfortunately, that speculation proved false when Sony announced the new PS3 Slim model last week.
Even after that, rumors have been floating around that backward compatibility will be making its way onto PS3s with an upcoming firmware update. Recently, Sony’s Director of hardware marketing, John Keller, confirmed that the backward compatibility rumors can be laid to rest.
During the interview, John Keller stated:
“It’s not coming back, so let me put that on the table. But it’s all people ever talk about!”
“It’s not as big as a purchase intent driver as you may be hearing. We’ve got such a substantial lineup of titles on the PS3; most people are buying the PS3 for PS3 games. They’ve buying it for PS3 games and Blu-ray movies.”
“[Backwards compatibility] won’t be returning.”
In Sony’s defense, the PlayStation 2 is still selling well and to give PS2 backward compatibility to every PS3 would more than likely kill PS2 sales. Also, Sony is trying to drive their Blu-Ray format, and to include PS2 backward compatibility would give the PS2 and DVD formats a boost.
So that’s it guys. If you want to play PS2 games, be sure not to sell your PS2, and remember to take care of it!
*Editor’s note: John Keller also denied the existence of the PSP Go, so take it as you will.
[Source]
29 Responses to “Sony Puts Final Nail in Backwards Compatibility Coffin”
:*(
<3 my 60 gb launch model.
Sure, I’m gonna buy a car for it’s fuel economy and stereo system, but throwing in some cup holders like my last car would be nice…
I’m not giving up hope. It has to make more sense to add bc than to start converting ps2 titles to psn one at a time. Who cares if only 80% of the games work, thats 80% more than now.
Mine has BC and I use it, but everyone else I know no longer plays PS2 games….their systems are now collecting dust (I still have my original PS2 and it still gets used as well).
It’s crappy websites like Kotakrap that keep bringing up the BC hate even though everyone I talk to doesn’t care about BC. These blog authors get paid by how popular their posts are. So does it make sense to post an honest article or keep the flamebait/fanboy rage going? Hell look at l.p.’s posts on Kotakrap…all he does is hate on the PS3 and praise the 360 (with his most recent article actually mocking people who are buying the PS3 slim “people are actually buying it”).
It is no longer any form of journalism, it’s all about the most comments because that’s where the paycheck is…so don’t expect any of these websites to ever let up the BC hate (even though they seem to have forgotten how quickly MS abandoned their BC promises).
@ acm7vu
ME TOO! haha
One line of that really bugs me. People are buying PS3s for PS3 games because the PS3 can’t play PS2 games. It’s a very weak argument.
Still, it seems that few people with BC PS3s use the feature very often. It was one of the big motivating factors for me to get a PS3 when I did, as the 60GB was being phased out, but I really don’t use the feature very often. It’s nice to have, and it’s nice being able to play any of my Playstation games, regardless of their original platform, but I only find myself using it on rare occasions.
It’d be nice to have it in all PS3s, but it really isn’t as important as people make it out to be. Plus, it’s not exactly hard to find a decently-priced 20/60GB model.
@ Robotron
I agree, most of the time when I hear people talk about PS3 backwards compatibility with the PS2, it’s commentors saying they’ll never buy a PS3 until it can play PS2 games. If they cared that much about backwards compatibility, you’d think that they’d be willing to shell out an extra $50 for a used 60GB model.
At least they’re not going to be complaining about cross-game chat pretty soon. Hopefully.
SCE never puts a final nail in anything. A few screws, yes, but no final nails, especially with PS2 still moving units.
BC will come back in late 2009 early 2010 because this guy said the existence of the psp go is fake.
LIAR, don’t listen to him wait for somebody else to say it. Didn’t Sony say they don’t comment on rumors
@ Kwietstorm
But screws are harder to take out than nails =[
i have a 60 gb ps3 and i barely use my ps2 game.
*Runs over and hugs original 20 gigger
Seriously though, as someone that uses BC frequently this is a bit of a disappointment, but sometimes sacrifices have to be made. I am very concerned about one thing though- what happens if my original 20 gigger busts again? Original 20gb to PS3 Slim is NOT an upgrade as far as I’m concerned.
Also wanted to add that given where technology is today I really hope Sony is going to follow MS’s hinted plan to actually make the next generation PS4 “Forwards Compatable”. Meaning not only would PS3 games run in the PS4, but the PS4 will actually improve PS3 games. Do it Sony, do it.
I have to tell the truth. I have a 60 gig so I can’t speak for the ones without bc. But I must say the point about driving blu-ray sales buy keepin BC is one of the better points of keeping it out. The second one is that THE PS2 IS $100!!!
my 60GB (2006 november) dead and i give my ps2 my friend!! i dont bay ps2 again and ps3!!
when Sony back Backward\C i bay PS3!!!!!!!1 Sony- sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!
p.s. Ken Kutaragi always saying: that the supporting of the games from previous generations of Play Station is the main priority for Sony.
Just dont get rid of your PS2. I use it as a DvD player for my son. Oh and I occassionally play RPG games and Outlaw Volleyball! lol.
This is what I’ve been saying the whole time, when Sony finally cuts-off PS2 support that is when we will see BC if ever otherwise they would never move another PS2. I do think after this recent price cut it’s about time the PS2 sells for no more than $75. I just hope the PS4, whenever that comes, will have PS3 backwards compatibility because unlike PS2 games do now I don’t think PS3 games will ever really look as out-dated so I would be more likely to play them again.
I just don’t play PS2 games on my PS3… Once more good RPGs come out on the thing I will be even LESS likely to do it. Once more great RPGs come out for the PS3…
What games are on the PS2 that people want to play so badly? I know that there are TONS of great titles, but I just can’t think of any games that are worth playing on it much…
I do play a LOT of retro titles, but I play my PS3 games more than any of my other systems.
hope it is true and sony will not implement it in any firmware.
Good Call, Quit living in the past with those ugly looking games.
I have a BC system. It works well, but I don’t use it often. Its nice to know that I have it, but really, I saw gamestop has PS2 slims on sale for $50. If you’re still really worried about this, that hardware is currently cheaper than a new PS3 game… so go pick it up, and let the rest of us move forward with technology, and get the PS3 doing what its meant to do.
good, we dont need BC anyways, this is next gen people…step into it.
i still play ps2 games on my 60gb ps3 now 500gb
got alot of ps2 games i wanna beat alot
so is the ps3 slim bc with ps1 games if so wtf y not ps2
I have a launch 60GB console and I have not even thought about playing PS2 games in two years. My wife bought Dragon Quest 8 recently, and she has been dabbling with it, but it is not a major feature for either of us by any stretch of the imagination.
I’ll say it again for the last time I love my Launch 60 gig, giggity, giggity goo!!!!!!!!
whatever, l bought my ps3 to play ps3 games of sequels from the ps2 such as MGS4
@ megs1120
i never saw that line in the interview:
“People are buying PS3s for PS3 games because the PS3 can’t play PS2 games”
@ MakaiOokami
you said in a previous post that you retro game alot.. now you dont? come dude seriously.
@ Old_Snake_
As of November 30, 2006 ken Kutaragi no longer works for Sony computer entertainment.
The best part of that interview was when the guy from Arstechica asked John koller..
“will K-mart be punished? “ lol (breaking the news before it was mentioned in gamecon)
Koller laughs at the question. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!” he said. “We value all our retail partners. They just got a little excited.”
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