王 Yoshida
King Of Asians
Since the launch of the Playstation 3 Sony has always said they were committed to their Playstation fans, and wanted to make the PS2 to Playstation 3 transition as easy as possible. In the early days backwards compatibility was a part of the plan. However, recently SCEA Marketing Boss John Koller stated that backwards compatibility was off the table, and that the majority of gamers are buying the Playstation 3 to play PS3 games.
Well, we happen to catch up with one of Sony’s own at a recent press event, while getting some one on one time, they broke down exactly what’s been happing at Sony regarding the PlayStation 3, and backwards compatibility. Here’s what we found.
Prior to the launch of the Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 Bundle, which was released back in June of 2008, Sony had decided to remove Backwards Compatibility from their system. Once the MGS run was over, Playstation 2 play back had been removed via the launch of the 40 GB PS3. Their reason, the cost outweighed the benefit. Their plan was to look for a new way to include the feature later in the systems life cycle.
The MGS 4 bundle was Sony first attempt at keeping the feature through a lower cost, and the use of PS2 software emulation. Yet, once the MGS 4 bundle had successful pulled Sony out of the Console failure red zone, the decision was made to remove backwards compatibilities completely. Here’s what they were thinking.
“We had a number of Ideas on the table at the time, but only a few were sticking. It was important for us to find ways to make get profitable again, and it was clear the Playstation 3’s road to success was going to be a long one. We couldn’t afforded to add features just because gamers were use to them on our past systems, we needed to look at things from a business perspective first”
Once the 40 GB PS3 was released Sony was convinced backwards compatibility had no financial value, and that the feature only counted for console loyalty, most of which had already been lost to the Xbox 360.
It was clear from our conversation that Sony likes the idea of backwards compatibility, but hadn’t come to a conclusion until recently, on how to incorporate it. When asked about a firmware options this was his response.
“the idea of updating every Non-backwards compatibile PS3 was one of the first to be considered. It also happens to be the one idea that cost the most to do. Almost every game needs specific emulation software, and in most cases that software needs to be update and tweaked just to get close to its original quality on the PS2. Not to mention no one makes money off a firmware updates”
The MGS 4 Bundle, which used emulation for backwards compatibility required multiple updates to improve quality. Some PS2 games, though few in numbers, still have visually problems when played on the 80GB PlayStation 3.
“One of the ideas that almost made it to market, but is still in play, was to gradually place every PlayStation 2 game on the PSN for download, pricing most games at or around 9.99. This would be done much like what’s happing with the PS1 classics right now on the PSN. “
This option is still talked about at Sony’s HQ, and will likely be use for some of the lower market titles, which could start as early as Q3 of next year. The decision Sony finally came to is the one already in play, HD ReMastering.
“Re Mastering didn’t come up until about two years ago. For a developer, ReMastering in HD took a moderate amount of time and effort to achieve, and with the right title it could be very successful. Once we noticed the benefits of HD ReMastering, the decision was made to use God of War 1 & 2 as the test for the market, and they delivered.”
The God of war Collection has sold almost 2 million copies to date.
“The God of War Collection had reached almost a million copies sold just after the holiday. Shortly aftter that Activision, EA , UbiSoft, Konami, and SquareEnix were all on board to issue ReMastered Edition of their best Playstation 2 Games.”
The idea of burning the PlayStation fan was an issue considered; however, Sony felt issuing a firmware update only helped retailers like GamesStop sell more copies of games Sony and other developers spent time and money making.
“The industry’s best developers are ReMastering their best games. Prince of Persia, Shadow of Colossus, and ICO are just the beginning. When fans see what Konami’s doing to the Metal Gear series, and what Square’s doing with Final Fantasy, they’re going to be very happy.”
He went on to say doing backwards Compatibility through HD ReMastering is best for gamers, developers, and the PlayStation 3. Gamers get to enjoy their favorite games in HD, with trophy support, ReMastered games fall under the Licensing for the PlayStation 3, and is consider a PS3 title, developers can reap a return on games they develop years ago,
Sony gets royalties for the new sales generated under the PlayStation 3 agreement for Remastered titles, so this is a plus for the Playstation pocket book.
Be prepared to play your favorite Playstation 2 classics in Stereoscopic 3D, HD, and in digital 7.1 surround sound. All this equipped on one gorges Blu-Ray Disc.
source >>>http://www.thegameheadz.com/Home/AddArticles/PlaystationNetwork/tabid/211/PageIndex/1/Default.aspx
Well, we happen to catch up with one of Sony’s own at a recent press event, while getting some one on one time, they broke down exactly what’s been happing at Sony regarding the PlayStation 3, and backwards compatibility. Here’s what we found.
Prior to the launch of the Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 Bundle, which was released back in June of 2008, Sony had decided to remove Backwards Compatibility from their system. Once the MGS run was over, Playstation 2 play back had been removed via the launch of the 40 GB PS3. Their reason, the cost outweighed the benefit. Their plan was to look for a new way to include the feature later in the systems life cycle.
The MGS 4 bundle was Sony first attempt at keeping the feature through a lower cost, and the use of PS2 software emulation. Yet, once the MGS 4 bundle had successful pulled Sony out of the Console failure red zone, the decision was made to remove backwards compatibilities completely. Here’s what they were thinking.
“We had a number of Ideas on the table at the time, but only a few were sticking. It was important for us to find ways to make get profitable again, and it was clear the Playstation 3’s road to success was going to be a long one. We couldn’t afforded to add features just because gamers were use to them on our past systems, we needed to look at things from a business perspective first”
Once the 40 GB PS3 was released Sony was convinced backwards compatibility had no financial value, and that the feature only counted for console loyalty, most of which had already been lost to the Xbox 360.
It was clear from our conversation that Sony likes the idea of backwards compatibility, but hadn’t come to a conclusion until recently, on how to incorporate it. When asked about a firmware options this was his response.
“the idea of updating every Non-backwards compatibile PS3 was one of the first to be considered. It also happens to be the one idea that cost the most to do. Almost every game needs specific emulation software, and in most cases that software needs to be update and tweaked just to get close to its original quality on the PS2. Not to mention no one makes money off a firmware updates”
The MGS 4 Bundle, which used emulation for backwards compatibility required multiple updates to improve quality. Some PS2 games, though few in numbers, still have visually problems when played on the 80GB PlayStation 3.
“One of the ideas that almost made it to market, but is still in play, was to gradually place every PlayStation 2 game on the PSN for download, pricing most games at or around 9.99. This would be done much like what’s happing with the PS1 classics right now on the PSN. “
This option is still talked about at Sony’s HQ, and will likely be use for some of the lower market titles, which could start as early as Q3 of next year. The decision Sony finally came to is the one already in play, HD ReMastering.
“Re Mastering didn’t come up until about two years ago. For a developer, ReMastering in HD took a moderate amount of time and effort to achieve, and with the right title it could be very successful. Once we noticed the benefits of HD ReMastering, the decision was made to use God of War 1 & 2 as the test for the market, and they delivered.”
The God of war Collection has sold almost 2 million copies to date.
“The God of War Collection had reached almost a million copies sold just after the holiday. Shortly aftter that Activision, EA , UbiSoft, Konami, and SquareEnix were all on board to issue ReMastered Edition of their best Playstation 2 Games.”
The idea of burning the PlayStation fan was an issue considered; however, Sony felt issuing a firmware update only helped retailers like GamesStop sell more copies of games Sony and other developers spent time and money making.
“The industry’s best developers are ReMastering their best games. Prince of Persia, Shadow of Colossus, and ICO are just the beginning. When fans see what Konami’s doing to the Metal Gear series, and what Square’s doing with Final Fantasy, they’re going to be very happy.”
He went on to say doing backwards Compatibility through HD ReMastering is best for gamers, developers, and the PlayStation 3. Gamers get to enjoy their favorite games in HD, with trophy support, ReMastered games fall under the Licensing for the PlayStation 3, and is consider a PS3 title, developers can reap a return on games they develop years ago,
Sony gets royalties for the new sales generated under the PlayStation 3 agreement for Remastered titles, so this is a plus for the Playstation pocket book.
Be prepared to play your favorite Playstation 2 classics in Stereoscopic 3D, HD, and in digital 7.1 surround sound. All this equipped on one gorges Blu-Ray Disc.
source >>>http://www.thegameheadz.com/Home/AddArticles/PlaystationNetwork/tabid/211/PageIndex/1/Default.aspx
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but q3 of next year. 
Where did you saw it was being release on Q3 of next year?
no fair Japan hogging it all 
)since then I wont have a need for my almost worn out ps2 anymore. Furtermore this is a great oppertunity for those whom havent played the "classic" ps2 yet.
Gimme it for a Christmas Present! 
