PS4 Backwards Compatibility
While backwards compatibility has been available in some shape or form as far back as the Atari 7600, it wasn't a feature gamers expected to find on their consoles; it was a bonus when it appeared but hardly mandatory. The PlayStation 2 changed that by being fully compatible with the entire PlayStation library barring a handful of games. We saw this trend continue with the Wii and, to an extent, the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, as enabling your system to be backwards compatible provided a large selection of games for your new console and encouraged developers to keep creating software for the previous hardware version. With the PlayStation 4, rumors swirled over whether or not Sony would provide backwards compatibility to past PlayStation consoles and now that the console is officially announced, we have our answer.
Disc-Based Compatibility
Sadly, Sony announced at the February 2013 unveiling of the PlayStation 4 that the console would not be compatible with any past PlayStation 1, 2 or 3 disc-based games. While this came as a shock, Sony does have a good reason for what some gamers are calling a huge mistake. The combination of the unique architecture of past PlayStation hardware releases, such as the Emotion Engine or the Cell Processor, and the fact that Sony is using “off the shelf” parts with the PlayStation 4 means that by default, the PlayStation 4 cannot play past PlayStation games properly. To natively play these games, Sony would have to add the older technology into the PlayStation 4, either compromising some of the features already present or raising the cost or the system. While gamers may lament the fact that backwards compatibility is not a part of the PlayStation 4, would you pay extra for it? Would you sacrifice some of the PlayStation 4 hardware in exchange for the ability to play past games?
The trade-off is for the best, as it's important for Sony to focus on the future rather than be shackled to the past. As you'll read later, this doesn't necessarily mean the PlayStation 4 may never be backwards compatible as Sony has a few tricks up its sleeve.
Downloadable Game and Content Compatibility
Disc-based games are only one part of the type of content the PlayStation 3 has received, with downloadable content, such as new levels, characters and stages and even full games being available for download via the PlayStation Store. However, none of this content will be available on the PlayStation 4 for the same reasons disc-based games are not compatible either. For many gamers, this has been a tougher pill to swallow. You'll always be able to play your disc-based PlayStation 3 games provided you have a working PS3, but what will happen to the digital content once Sony shuts off the servers? It costs money to host this content and it's not feasible to believe that Sony will host this content forever. Will these digital-only games be lost to the sands of time? Many of this content cost money as well, money that will most likely not be refunded should Sony remove the access to the games you paid for. Only time will tell how Sony approaches this, but it's likely we are still many years off from seeing the shutdown of the PS3 PSN. This could be a potential downfall to PS4 PSN sales as well, as gamers will be hesitant to spend money on a game they may one day lose all access to forever.
Compatibility May Yet Live On
As mentioned earlier, just because the PlayStation 4 doesn't ship with compatibility doesn't mean that it may never appear in the future. Sony has mentioned two routes they are looking into: emulation and streaming.
We've already seen PlayStation 2 games emulated on PlayStation 3 hardware, with games such as Bully and Grand Theft Auto III being released digitally for the system with other games like Metal Gear Solid 3 being released in disc form. With this approach, it's up to the developer and publisher to take the time to make their back catalog available for the PlayStation 4; while we'll see some games emulated, it will only be a fraction of the total library. Emulation may also present new glitches or bugs not present in the original release as well.
The option that Sony has confirmed to be going with is streaming, as mentioned at E3 2013. The PlayStation cloud service will launch in 2014 and will bring a selection of the PlayStation 3's library to both the PlayStation 4 and, later on, the PlayStation Vita. It's not sure which PS3 games Sony will be streaming at first, as the only statement in that regard has been that the games are "critically acclaimed." Expect to see many first party titles, at least in the beginning.
Article by - Joshua Phillips
Insert Date: 4/22/2013
Talk about PlayStation games on our forums!
Related Articles:
- PlayStation 4 Not Allowing Used Games?
- Do you think the PS4 will have backwards compatibility for PS3 games?
- Expected Playstation 4 Specifications
- What Will PS3 Games Look Like on the PS4?
- PlayStation 4 Games - PS4 Games
- Playstation 3 Games - PS3 Game Reviews
- Playstation 4 Price and Cost Details
- Can I PS4 Pre Order? - Don't be left behind
- PlayStation 4 Concept Designs
PS4 Comments
- old games useless? dont we
9 min 8 sec ago - read
32 min 43 sec ago - So you want a PS$ JUST to play PS3 games...?
55 min 49 sec ago - $400 isn't too much...
1 hour 50 sec ago - One question - I haven't had this answered anywhere.
1 hour 3 min ago - UH.... keep your PS3?
6 hours 2 min ago - Motocross Game
7 hours 6 min ago - You have a point....
7 hours 13 min ago - Mafia
7 hours 43 min ago - The Ultimate PS4
18 hours 54 min ago
Comments
Done with Playstation forever
I have large libraries of PS1 and PS2 games...many of which were not ported to the newer console.
Because Sony didn't make PS3 compatible with older games, I stopped buying their stuff.
All the games I have, I still love to play...and I was very picky when I purchased them.
I will be using emulators from now on...no more Sony hardware ever again.
I don't accept the excuses...what Sony wants to do, it does purely out of what it wants to do without caring what the customer wants.
If you enjoy throwing out your console and all your games every few years (for many which cannot be replaced), keep buying their new stuff.
your an idiot
Keep your PS2 you freaking idoit and play old games like I do it plays both ps1 and ps2. I have an Xbox 360 and I go back and Play old games on my Playstion 2.So before you start talking think a little.
Update plz THERE IS BC
They even said there is BC for download games please try to keep up with the press conferences
Yea if you by them again! I
Yea if you by them again! I have played PS systems since they first came out. Even I'm disappointing with this actually. I hate the xbox franchise but it is looking better than this.
I'm out
I was so excited for ps4 but after reading that there's no bc I really don't think I have interest anymore. Ps4 doesn't offer enough to justify spending a large amount of money to replace my collection AGAIN! I still have ps2 games that I'm upset about not being able to play on ps3. I really hate forced consumerism and find myself slowly unplugging because these companies force feed us change rather than earn our money. Sorry Sony your glutenism for my money has run out and I will skip this version of ps just like I've skipped the iPhone 5 and windows 8. Moving forward is important but manipulating and forcing people to spend more is wrong and I'm on to you.
So you want a PS$ JUST to play PS3 games...?
If you're more interested in playing your old PS3 games, don't bother getting a PS4 until it has enough games there that you want... And anyways, you're supposed to be able to stream PS3 games (I'm guessing with scans via PSN) on the PS4.
I don't see why people are so butthurt with all of the info that's been given...
UH.... keep your PS3?
Like a previous poster said.... Keep your old console. Are you thinking now that PS4 is out, you should be able to throw away your PS3? WOW... not too bright.
BC = less money
the only reason for no backwards compatibility is, if u could play all your old discs there would be much much fewer downloads bought from the network. I am a collector I have a large library of ps1, 2 and 3 games I refuse to spend more money to play a game I already own. No BC is simple a way to milk gamers more and more to play some of the great games they've come to love over the years. So as for me sony can shove the ps4 until public out cry forces them to add disc based BC. Until then I hang on to my hard earned money.
An Idea maybe
they could make a software where you could take your ps1, 2 and 3 games and rip them on the ps4 and run them in an emulator of sort say ps1 em ps2 em ps3 emulator that way got of all worlds if disc games you have that is
backwords compadibility
You can still get ps1 and ps2 titles via psn so those of you that are disk based junkies need to catch up to times yes I know not every title is digitized but a lot are, and those of you that are saying that there aren't any kid friendly games lets see for the ps3 I have seen a whole slew of titles geared to adolescents so where ever this accusations of no rated E games there are a whole slew of them (Shaunwhite snowboarding, littlebig planet, Tony Hawk Ride, Madden, NCAA Football, Need for speed: shift, along with a long list I don't have so to make this accusation that the game systems aren't kid friendly you need to redirect your intent to the game publisher's and not the gaming systems. And I'm sorry you don't call football a kid friendly sport but at what age do we at least in America get introduced to it so yes I will pass on this tradition
MissBeck
There is an easy solution to this. Sony needs to offer consumers the choice of two PS4's. A lower priced non-compatible system and a higher priced backwards compatible system that doesn't compromise the new technology. I think Sony will find that there are a LARGE number of gaming consumers willing to shell out another couple of hundred dollars for the convenience of being able to play all games on one system.
We as parents are running out of space to house all of the gaming systems that are not compatible with the library of older games that we already have and the kids still enjoy playing. Not to mention the gaming industry doesn't seem interested in producing kid/tween friendly games anymore. It's all violence and gore with very little parental control options on the new games that are available.
Gaming console makers also need to keep in mind that our televisions can only handle the hook-ups for a couple of gaming systems at one time so I am very cautious about which gaming systems I spend my money on. Let me give you a hint: They are the systems that play the most games by being backwards compatible.
BC
But PS3 has a cell proccessor as well, why can't you just do a model with and without?
Double Dipping
The article says Sony has a couple of tricks up their sleeves, I'd say so. It sounds like both things mentioned could be pay to play services. That would mean if you want to play your old favorites you basically buy it all over again. But,I could be wrong, it's not Microsoft we're talking about.
No way im out
I love ps3 and ps2 games i have no desire to buy a ps4 because this is something i can not accept. I hope to God my ps3 ever dies i can still buy another ps3 because to me unless they find a way to let me keep what i own both on disk and psn not worth it.
Games that a new console will not effect
Like most I do not want 2 or 3 consoles. Games like Rocksmith that are not about speed, loading time or graphics get little boost from a new console. I hate the idea that a game I bought at Chtistmas and the bass update I paid for in May could be left useless with the PS4. I can not see the New console being worth the effort or money if it makes a whole collection of high dollar PS3 games obsolete.
PORTABLE HDD
Why could they have a portable HDD PS3 ROM to connect to the PS4 that could play P1-P3 games for $100.
PS4!!! Im getting it regardless -TRUE gamer
ill just save my PS3 not worried bout BC im a TRUE gamer ill do what it takes ...so what if i have to keep my older systems ... 2 tears in a bucket **** it lool
Backwards Compatibility
It suck that ps4 wount be able to do it but it dousent matter Im and I will get me a ps4, I have all the playstations and a 360, wii, 64 them for the kids im PS 4 LIFE cant wait till it comes out (MGO5 & GTAV) 8D....
I already sold my PS3 + all
I already sold my PS3 + all my games(about 50) for 150£, dont care about Backwards Compatibility,new system means new games so i dont care about those what i want be able to play.
halleluah!
smartest comment ive seen so far
Traded in,
I went straight into my local game shop and traded everything in and pre-order my ps4 and new games total estimated bill (the store put holding prices until a price is released of $899 for console and $120 for most games, pssh not likely) $2500, how much did i get for trade ins? $1000 I also like to note that my ps3 took a fall off my shelve one day and hadn't worked for over a year.
There will be BC!
Sony teamed up with Gaiki. They will put BC on it but u have to ''download'' them! I possibly could give a crap about BC cause its just a waste of technology. But with Gaiki u can play PS3,2,and1 games with it.If u want to see more details about Gaiki supporting Sony about how it will work,then wait till E3 or another gaming expo. So stop crying in a corner like a little baby and get over it! Plus if Sony put BC in the PS4 then it would be overpriced than the PS3! U guys like want BC cause u want Sony to lose lots of money. Then u wonder why Sony is doing bad cause of u beggars! So stop begging at get used to having no built-in BC! So Gaiki will work on BC for u guys!
Backwards compatibility has nothing to do with price...
I don't see how backwards compatibility makes things more expensive... The PS2 was backwards compatible, and it was $300 at launch. The PS3 was expensive for it's blue ray drive and cell processor - nothing to do with the playback of old games. The reason the PS4 won't play the old games is because of it's architecture - they simply wouldn't work in the environment. The streaming would port the games coded for the the new architecture, and allow you to re-download them (maybe even your sav files through PSN) onto the PS4. That's how it would work. As for how you'd be able to get your old PS2 and PS1 games without re-purchasing them, that beats me. Sony didn't EVER lose money from backwards compatibility - I don't know where you get that from.
Backwards compatibility makes
Backwards compatibility makes things more expensive because it requires additional hardware to implement. To make the PS4 truly backwards compatible would require additional hardware to support the architecture of previous gaming system environments. And Sony would have to cover these additional hardware costs one of two ways: raise price of system or eat the losses.
play all of the games
I think sony should give us the option to buy the games for ps1 like ff7 online along with all other games for all 4 computer but have a market place were people can trade there games with other people around the world then sony can take a cut of the price then sony could push the download games so for example I had god of war 1 put it on market for $5 you played $7 for it sony then gets $2 for the transfer I would do this. On a different not I think g.t.a 6 should use Google earth so you could download your own town that would be epic
Don't Mind Paying More.
I Don't Mind Paying A Little More. Only If It Is Going To Be Able To Play All My PS3 Games. If Not Screw It!!!
Backwards Compatiblity
I will only buy it if i can play ps3 games on it . I mean I dont want to have 4-5 consoles i want to have one . I would love it if the ps4 plays ps1-2 and 3 games .
lets say sony make it to a
lets say sony make it to a ps8 one day is every one still going to cry stamp there feet fist in the air i want it to play games from last seven consoles its a pointless and need less feature every loyal ps fan worth there salt will still get the ps4 makes me laugh sony spending god knows how much to develop the ps4 with new tech and features and some ppl want n old feature that sony duely got rid of after the original 60gig model
no one needs back wards com/pat
wake up the people wanting the lame backwards compatability that sucks big time dont want it whats the point?if you want to play last gen then dont get a ps4 its that simple play your ps3 that bit longer how dumb people want the ps4 just not the games lol iv played ps3 since 06 its time for change ps3 and games will be sold as every other console iv ever had before the launch dont care if i got hundred games and love them all the same next gen is next gen i want that experience thats what im paying for loyal fan since 95
I won't be buying it if it is
I won't be buying it if it is not BC with PS1, PS2 and PS3. I still have PS1 games and PS2 games that I like to play.
Sony, don't be cheap
Put in whatever is required to play all previous playstation games. Do you really expect people are just going to stop playing old games just because new stuff comes out?!? Alot of the new stuff is unoriginal regurgitated crap!! And the only alternative you have is to "re-make" a very few select game titles in HD and then we have to rebuy them... I will definitely not make the mistake again of buying your new system if it does not support BC. Also, I hope you plan on putting a decent size HDD in the models..The space fills up so fast with downloading games on the PSN and also just loading disc games in general that preload onto the HDD. I think a 320GB HDD should be the bare minimum.
Thank you for saying what
Thank you for saying what I've been thinking xP. It's true though it seems like there are no original ideas for games anymore. A prime example would be the Dynasty Warrior franchise, as much as I love the concept of it I'm tired of replaying the same game with updated graphics. It seems like people would rather pay for graphics rather than functionality. If it was Backwards Compatible I'm sure Sony would see a lot more fly off the shelves despite their high price tag. I know for a fact that I'm not getting one until a few years after it's been out and honestly with that huge flaw (No BC) I wouldn't recommend it to my family or friends.
More than 320 GB...
500 GB-1 TB is satisfactory. You mentioned how fast space is taken on the PS3, but games will be even bigger on PS4. Considering what's possible in external drives and SD cards (about $100 for a 2TB drive and $60 for a 64 GB SD card about the size of your fingernail), I'd imagine the bare minimum to be around 1 TB.
And yes, many people DO ditch their old games. BUT, I'd still like to be able to play them. Considering the stream service, I'm sure you could do a scan through PSN to find what games you had installed, at which time you could just download all of them for no charge. I don't know how this would work for PS1 and 2 games, though, unless it would work on the backwards compatible variants and could scan the save files...
backwards compatability
please dont bang on bout playing old games on new console never understood the idear of playing last gen games on next gen if you want to play ps3 games then just play them on your ps3 that bit longer simples dont waste your breath moaning bout how every new playstation cant play the last gen games hell i dont want it to play any ps3 games by the time ps4 is ready for launch my ps3 games will be sold along with console has been the case since i was a kid new im more than happy to pick up at least two launch titles from the get go not get it home and break out a ps3 game lol
WOULD LOVE TO SEE BC
Would LOVE to see BC all the way back. would be GREAT!
Anonymous
I will not buy it unless is has Backwards Compatability for PS1 2 an 3.
PS4's Release Price + What I want to see (apples14 on the psn)
To all of you saying you won't buy the ps4 if it doesn't have BC. Yes you will, you will see the ps4 games and they will be amazing...
Some PS4 games are also available on the ps3 such as ACIV Black Flag to name one, but eventually there will be only games just for the ps4. I'm pretty sure you won't be able to play every single ps4 game on the ps3. And I'm not even sure if all the upcoming ps4 games will be playable on the ps3, I just know that some are. Anyways, one day ps3 games will stop coming out, and then what are you going to do? Quit gaming, play old games forever, or buy a ps4 (or buy xbox 720 =0).
I'm going to sell my ps3 and use that money toward the ps4. If there is no BC on the ps4 so be it, I can deal with that, perhaps others can't. I'm kinda worried about what the starting price will be. Remember ps3's release? It was $600 at first and then dropped fast. If I buy a ps4 at that price or a similar price and then it drops down soon after I would be so mad...So that brings up another question, is it worth buying right away and risking a price drop or wait for the drop and then pick it up?
Here are some things I DEFINITELY want:
- PS3 controllers can be used on the PS4 - I'll still want the PS4 controller but I'll use PS3 controllers for split screen.
- Minecraft for ps3 please.
- Make a Star wars battlefront 3
- Bring back Crash tag team racing, improved on every level
- Bring Team buddies back from the ps1
- DLC for ps4 games will now be included on the game's disc, nothing makes me more mad than a game being released and having to pay for its' dlc on the day it comes out
- Ability to create your own games on the ps4 and sell them
- Start having an instant upload to youtube software on every game!
- More split screen and co-op games, it also makes me mad when tons of games are 1 player only, what happened to sit-on-the couch gaming with friends
That's it ^_^ pretty sure not all this will happen.
DLC is fine if it isn't on-disk.
I'm with you - developers like EA and CodeMasters have been launching games with day-one DLC, which is conent that is already in the game. That and online passes that activates certain content, so if you buy the game used, you can't have some of it. Basically, they charge an extra $10-20 for their games. I'm fine with all-new DLC being released later on, as long as it isn't content held back or what should've been from the start. Acceptable things being all-new maps, tracks, cars, guns, level caps, etc., depending on what the game is.
nice!!
"what happened to sit on the couch gaming with friends" bruv! im with you on that well put Thats the best!!
PS4 won't play on PS3...
There will be games made for both platforms, but PS4 games won't play on PS3. There will be PS3 games made as well - look at NFS: Carbon and ProStreet - it had a PS2 and PS3 variant, and the PS3 version didn't work on the PS2. This is because one, the game will be to big to be played on the old hardware, and two, the architecture of the hardware is different.
the reason the ps3 cost $600
the reason the ps3 cost $600 when it came out was because it had a blue ray player in it .and one the reasons for it delayed release.... and at the time to go just a blue ray player it self was over $700 so it was cheaper to buy the ps3 which came with a blue ray player built in. then it was buying a blue ray player.....
BLU RAY
BLU RAY DISC...not blue
And thank you for the history lesson. I feel enlightened!
Don't care too much.
My ps3 broke two years ago. I never brought another one because all I really played on it were fighting games and the few clearance games for it. Nothing is arguably wrong with it, but the idea for me was that i really only played to play with friends. PlayStation home and my constant use of it really reflected the idea of finding like minded people to play with and relate to. Even if the ps4 has terrible games it will still be a great blu-ray player, Netflix and internet substitute. It may even pay the difference for getting a smart tv, and it's promised to last for 10 years as a product. Which will be a technological statement.
The added social content will make games feel like an mmo and bring people who enjoy the same games together. The sort of phone a friend aspect will truly make life a lot funner when it comes to concepts such as boss fights, or incredibly psychic bosses such as Seth from ssfIV, dark souls levels and all there is to come. Personally, this console will pay for itself if it's around 600. Especially if given a proper hdd and a plus subscription. Furthermore, the phone application will give everyone a chance to hunt for the one time only sales and limited promotions that the company usually entails, adding the right friends will give you easy access to it. And if ps4 still manages to be a lag tank like it's ancestor, get on your smartphone and still get it.
If done properly, it's a secure statement to gamers who do not have the pockets or knowledge to keep up with technology to be able to enjoy supported games. It's usually why people buy apple... Or in this case. Sony.
Must have
If the PS4 has Backwards Compatibility, I will for sure buy it, because It would be two things packed into one, because I have never owned a ps3. And soon, a PS3 game I actually want is coming out, but I don't want to buy a PS3 just for that. But I saw that some PS4 games look interesting, and so if it plays PS3, I will buy it.
doubtful
then they couldn't charge for it on their new mega cloud server.
Backwards compatibility
I already keep my PS2 just for the reason my PS3 isn't BC. If PS4 isn't BC it doesn't matter how cheap it even is. It won't get a place in my livingroom.
I still have a huge have to play collection that I won't throw away just like that.
Its just a computer
I find it hard to believe people are accepting hardware as an excuse. You can run all the same games, in the same format on a PC with the proper software...which is basically what these new systems are. I think the hardware issue is a lie by Sony to keep hackers from trying to break their shiny new toy.
yah
it is just a computer just diffrent operating system
No
it's a station. of playing. station. (with a different operating system)
Mon, 04/08/2013 - 21:47 -- Anonymous
The consoles have a specific OS.
Like computers (really, a gaming console IS a computer with hardware designed for only one task - gaming) game consoles have their own OS that it runs - like Microsoft's Windows, and Apples OS and iOS. Essentially you could install the console OS's on a PC and run the games... But there isn't much point, since the OS is fine already, and you may as well just buy the PC version of the game.
Though the problem with the PS4 is that it really DOES use a different environment with it's cell processor - previous consoles used traditional PC-type hardware (essentially all gaming consoles excluding the PS3 are optimized PCs). That's why PS3 games (on disk) may not work on the PS4 without another Cell processor. Old games will be re-written for the PS4's architecture, and can be streamed to the PS4 according to the PS conference (likely by allowing PSN to scan your PS3 for save files). PS1 and PS2 games may actually work on the PS4 since it's in a similar environment, as weird as that is.
Post new comment