PS3 Backwards Compatibility Called into Question
October 27,2005 - Progress in the gaming industry often comes at the cost of cutting off consumers who are unwilling to upgrade. Despite statements of backwards compatibility by top Sony representatives earlier this year, the PlayStation 3 could very well be an example.
The company’s recent announcement concerning software compatibility and the new “Satin Silver” slim PS2 caused quite a stir within the gaming community. Several days ago, Sony revealed nine titles – including Tekken 5 - that would not function correctly on the altered variant of the console, which will hit Japanese retail outlets before year’s end.
Related comments from Sony executives have led some to cast doubt on the PlayStation 3’s promise of full backwards compatibility. However, Reiko Sakamoto, representative for Sony Computer Entertainment, reassures consumers that Sony is working hard to provide support for older titles.
“It's hard to say the PlayStation 3 will be 100 percent backwards compatible, but as we said earlier this year, we aim to make it so as much as possible.”
Microsoft hasn’t been completely forthright about backwards compatibility between the old and new Xbox, either. Just after the Xbox 360 was revealed on MTV May this year, rumors casting full software compatibility into doubt circulated liberally throughout the net. Months later, aside from Halo, Halo 2, and several other popular first-party titles such as Forza Motorsport, Fable, Project Gotham Racing 2, and both MechAssault titles, an official list of emulation profiles pre-loaded on the Xbox 360 has not yet been released.
Written By: Scott Gualco | Tags: Playstation 3, Xbox 360
The company’s recent announcement concerning software compatibility and the new “Satin Silver” slim PS2 caused quite a stir within the gaming community. Several days ago, Sony revealed nine titles – including Tekken 5 - that would not function correctly on the altered variant of the console, which will hit Japanese retail outlets before year’s end.
Related comments from Sony executives have led some to cast doubt on the PlayStation 3’s promise of full backwards compatibility. However, Reiko Sakamoto, representative for Sony Computer Entertainment, reassures consumers that Sony is working hard to provide support for older titles.
“It's hard to say the PlayStation 3 will be 100 percent backwards compatible, but as we said earlier this year, we aim to make it so as much as possible.”
Microsoft hasn’t been completely forthright about backwards compatibility between the old and new Xbox, either. Just after the Xbox 360 was revealed on MTV May this year, rumors casting full software compatibility into doubt circulated liberally throughout the net. Months later, aside from Halo, Halo 2, and several other popular first-party titles such as Forza Motorsport, Fable, Project Gotham Racing 2, and both MechAssault titles, an official list of emulation profiles pre-loaded on the Xbox 360 has not yet been released.
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