Sony: Backwards compatibility will NOT be returning

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9:40 AM on 08.20.2009, Jim Sterling

187 comments | 28197 views

Sony: Backwards compatibility will NOT be returning photo

#PS3 #Sony #STOOPID! #top stories

If you're like me, you'll agree that removing backwards compatibility from the PS3 for no reason was a dumb, irritating move. Just before the PS3 Slim was announced, a number of people had hoped that BC news was also coming, but nothing happened. Now Sony's John Koller has decided to state, quite emphatically, that it's never going to happen. Yeah? Well f*ck you too, guys!

"It's not coming back, so let me put that on the table," Koller states. "It's not as big as [sic] 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 [sic] buying it for PS3 games and Blu-ray movies.

"That won’t be returning."

I would hope that most people are buying the PS3 for PS3 games -- that's not exactly something to be proud of. Was including BC in the PS3 really that expensive? Considering how cheap PS3 production has become, I really don't see why it would have been that big of a deal to keep the ability to play PS2 games. Something about consumer convenience and, y'know, not being a complete and utter tool of a company.

Well, at least Sony's been good enough to tell us they're never going to stop being dicks about it. The dicks.

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next 50 comments

182 comments | showing # 1 to 50

PappaDukes

I am like you! I really do think that was a retarded step backwards. Sorry about that hideous pun.

It's not like Sony's saying "we can't do it". They're saying, "we did do it; we can do it, and now you can't have it."

CloneTrooper

Heh...

I guess people will just keep playing their PS2's, and buy a PS3 if something they really want comes out on it.

Still...dont see why they cant do what Microsoft did and institute a Software BC Update, from what I heard half the original BC PS3's were Software BC...

momomo66

Deal breaker.

Subenu

I am not going to buy a PS3 if I can't play PS2 games on it. It's that simple!

Radius Zero

@clonetrooper
MS may have done the software BC, but only for a paltry few games...

NukaCola

Then at least freaking release PS2 games as downloadables on the PSN network! Dammit, Sony.

The Prodigal Son

I got a 60GB launch. I'd trade that shit for a Slim any day. I wonder how much it'd fetch on eBay. (fingers crossed)

Lyger101

Dam so I can't play my PS2 games...oh well deal with it.

Usedtabe

Yeah, sorry Sony. I Want a PS3, but part of that deal was that it would play PS2 games and the few PS3 games I wanted to play. Due to my personal preference, there are no games that I "just have to play" to qualify spending $299 on your console, especially considering my current gaming backlog. Part of the justification to myself for dropping the cash was being able to play upscaled PS2 games. And it's not that the Ps3 doesn't have any games I want to play, because it does. IT just doesn't have that many that I NEED to play at this moment for a $299 entry fee (without PS2 support).

Kylius

My PS2 died outside of warrenty a long time ago - a PS3 with BC would've been a perfect excuse to buy some games I missed out on (SotC, the Persona Series) as well as break out the other classics.

Shame!

linuxguy

@CloneTrooper: it wasn't a 100% software they still had the GPU in there.

Xhumation

Well backwards compatibitily is truly getting the shaft this gen isn't it?

If my "fat" PS3 ever breaks I'll probably looks for another "fat" one instead of looking for a ps3 slim

ChronosWing

I guarantee this is so they can shove downloadable ps2 titles down our throat in the future.

xiaolinstyle

Hi im John Koller and I work for a company that even when we decide to stop being greedy douchebags we still know how to be fucktards.

Cartman

Shitstorms' a comin'.

ViciousBoston

This guys is right for the most part. Do you really need PS2 games? I don't. Everyone I know dosen't because they already have a PS2 to do that. You guys have a PS2 right? Then why is this an issue? Hmmm?

KINGof210

Used PS2 ("Phat" or "Slim"), Pawn Shops, $20-$45 if you shop around for deals. Just saying.

pd771

@CLONETROOPER
"Still...dont see why they cant do what Microsoft did and institute a Software BC Update, from what I heard half the original BC PS3's were Software BC..."

They were half software, half hardware. And it half worked.

Really, if you want to play PS2 games, get a PS2. Most people I hear whining about this are people who were not going to get a PS3 anyways. It's a gaming/bluray player at the price of any decent bluray player. it's well worth the price.

koehler83

It will be back when the PS2 stops being a money maker. They're not going to give away for free what they can sell at a tidy profit. Not that I care. My PS3 plays any PS2 game I like.

Xzyliac

Wow! I was a proud defender of the "No BC, who cares?" crowd but I was certain it was coming eventually.

Now that I know it's not I have to say that that's a pretty dumbfuck move. There will be a point when running PS2's are scarce and then what?

Daxelman

Well, if you won't give me my BC back, at least you'll drop the price of your fucktardly priced controllers right?

Because you dropped the price of the console because it's cheaper to make, right?

Console includes controllers right?

Right?

smoger

sony just lost my sale. sorry, my living room doesn't have space for both and I'm not counting on my PS2 to last forever.

Niero

Cost cutting = less features, moar value! or?

Narishma

When you can get a used PS2 for around $50 or a new one for $100, I don't really see where the problem is. I have a launch PS3 and the only time I put a PS2 game in it is to see if it worked as advertised. Backwards compatibility is overrated.

PhazonYoshi

But don't they have a fully software-based solution? Why would you develop something like that and then NOT use it?

pd771

@ PhazonYoshi

No. They don't. They never did. They had partial software emulation, and that didn't even work that well.

DaedHead8

It's been three days now. Can't the people who can live without BC finally realize that it is an issue simply because of the number of people who want it? We're not all people who weren't going to buy a PS3 anyways and we're not people who should simply buy a PS2. Hell, I have a BC PS3 and three PS2s and I still wish the Slim could play my PS2 library. What do you have to say to that?

I'm getting sick of the Sony Apologists trying to defend every dumbfuck move they make.

jawshoeuh

I've said it before and I'll say it again. The one reason I bought the original 60gig ps3 over a 360 was the fact that it had backwards compatibility and I was able to trade in my ps2. I'm sure there are people who aren't interested in bc, but I know there a whole lot of people like me who would probably consider upgrading if they could trade in their ps2 and still play their ps1 & ps2 games.

Mitthrawn

I expect a PlayStation 3 to be able to play games from PlayStation 2 or PlayStation 1, just as I would expect a PlayStation 7 to be able to play games from 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1. It's part of what you'd expect when you're buying into a video game brand. Especially given that Sony have already shown that they can do both hardware and software BC. I don't think consumers want to be told that in order to play PS2 games, they have to buy a PlayStation 2, especially when the PS3 already had BC from launch.

PappaDukes

I must not be like a lot of other gamers out there, but when I upgrade to the "next-gen" of a system, I use the last-gen model to help pay for the new hotness because I am poor, and have a bills to pay and a child to raise. So BC is a huge part of the decisions I make when I go to purchase said hotness. That's why when I heard that Sony was discontinuing the 80 gig model, I literally ran to my nearest GameStop to trade all my old shit in so that I could afford over $500 for the system and a game.

Mr Wrighty 987

No B/C, who cares?

VWGTI

NEVAR

zombiekiller13

I own a ton of PS2 games. Last count: 123. Having BC on the PS3 is a big selling point. At the current price, if the system had BC, I'd buy it. If my PS2 ever died, I'd have my PS3 as a backup.

Without it? I'd have to drop $100 more to get another PS2 so my library isn't just sitting there looking pretty.

Xzyliac

How much does a selling (or trading in) PS2 even go for by now? Not defending anybody I'm wondering if trading in a PS2 to help fund a PS3 is even a smart choice by now.

SPY-V

I don't have time to play old ps2 games. I have a 60gig and I have only played god of war 2. I am too busy playing current gen games.

Onlineatron

Jesus Jim... STFU for once in your life.

PR people say PR things. Sony once said that the trophies weren't real, they said many things were not real but we have them now.

We've seen the patents for BC... it's coming.

Even if it doesn't... stop living in the damn past, buy a PS2 if you want PS2 games... I'll be enjoying NEW games.

wanderingpixel

I still have my PS2, but it would have been nice if I could play PS2 and PS1 games on a PS3. Oh well, I guess I won't b buying a slim after all.

Frohike

Yeah, I was part of the "no B/C, who cares" crowd, but after reading that, I'm part of the "fuck you, Sony" crowd. And @chronoswing... spot on. That's exactly why they're doing this. That and the fact that they can still make a profit on PS2 consoles.

Los255

Well, PS2 sales are still going strong, and imagine if it had BC, sales would go up for the PS3 also.

Think Sony, think.

BJ Blazkowicz

I won't buy it until it has BC, because upscaled PS2 games would be a huge selling point for me. PS3 games, not so much.

Daxelman

I'm serious, if they don't drop the price of their controllers within the next 15 minuets, I'm going to start slitting the throats of everyone who sides with Sony.

And the throats of Sony employees children.

GoldenGamerXero

I don't claim to understand Sony's bussiness strategy beyond "Fuck Mircosoft" but sometimes it seems as though they're screwing themselves over a bit. Maybe if they stopped trying to resell the PS2 and actually just focus on this generation of consoles instead of just creating a cheaper option to their current one then they might just be able to sell some more. Look Sony if want to steal something from the wii don't take the remote TAKE THE DAMN BACKSWARDS COMPATABILITY!

@Onlineatron

Seriously?! This site is for reporting "news" and when it comes you want it to STFU because you don't like it? Even if it's just something they said they still CONFIRMED it as in not a rumor but CONFIRMED it. If that's true or not we can't possibly know but as far as we all know IT'S NEVER COMING! Do you expect Destructoid to report the future and say that it will come in 2011?

TwinDad

BC was the reason of getting my 60GB. I had young kids who would play with the controller cords. The PS2 was starting to die. So I got the 60gb. What put me over the top was the free online and the PSN games. Cheap fun simple games.

It's now good to know it's not happening. I'm saddened, but at least we have closure (hopefully).

akathatoneguy

@ Onlineatron-

So, what you're saying is, "it's coming...but it may not be, but even if it isn't, shut up...BC doesn't matter because I personally don't want it"?

I love how people can't think outside of their own little lives. Yes, because you don't give a shit about BC or PS2 games, that means that nobody else does either, and the whole thing is overrated and/or unnecessary.

Br0th3rGr1mm

I'd say actually having BC hardware in the PS3 was a considerable expense, but I would have thought they could have designed it in as an add-on module (like the PS2 Ethernet controller / HD was). These comments now sound like they have no intention of even pursuing the software BC they once promoted as in the works.

Bottom line, without PS2 BC, I doubt I will ever own a PS3. It's not the deciding factor, but it IS a factor.

MrAhh

the post is full of a bunch of silly hypocritical comments. i would gladly exchange my original 60 gig for one without BC to any of you idiots above. And after two months tell me how many PS2 games you played. I have a stack of PS2 games in my house I couldn't care less about playing them. Sure it's nice to have but seriously now you'll never buy one because it can't play PS2 games? Is that like three days ago when it was i'll never buy one it's too expensive? Why not be honest and SAY I WILL NEVER BUY A PS3 because it raped my mother eh?

Shadowiii

Well, I'm not buying a PS3 now until it drops to below $200. Guess I'll just keep playing my PS2 and Xbox. :/

timtheterrible

Why didn't Sony ever try just using emulation software like Microsoft did with the 360?

Xzyliac

@akathatoneguy
The consumers job is to think about the consumer and protect his own interest. It sounds selfish but in the defense of the original poster while what he said may not be logical you can't criticize him for looking out for his own interest.

Plus you can't please EVERYONE. Just hope what pleases you pleases the majority. Otherwise the internetz will getchu.

JACK of No Trades

Hey retards. Normal people buy PS3 hardware to play PS3 games. Fast forward to 2009 people. The PS3 has plenty of games to keep your ADHD brains satisfied. If not, then maybe you should sell your PS3 for a PS2.

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