E3 2014

[Thundercrack85]

To me the whole point of backwards compatibility should be being able to play games for the past system, including ones you already own. That's why you need local emulation if you don't have the hardware in the new console (like the Wii, or the PS2). Anything else is half-assed (okay I admit, I'm overusing that term now).

Otherwise, why not just re-release Xbox 360 / PS3 games on the Xbox One / PS4 a la The Last of Us? At least then you get a physical copy.

I'd rather pay 40 for a physical copy than 20 for a digital copy.

 

[Poetic Chaos]

How much of their audience really keeps games that long though? Games as old as PS2, one could reasonably expect were either tossed out for taking space (like mine eventually were) or traded/sold unless their PS2 is still plugged in, in which case, BC isn't even needed. Going one generation back of BC would be a nice gesture. Beyond that, I'd say it's asking a lot. Companies wanna move forward.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Actually, I believe it's mostly a cost saving measure (as we saw with the PS3), and also an attempt to move the new consoles. And perhaps in Sony's case, an attempt to sell more PS3's. If the PS4 were backwards compatible, all those pricy PS3's would go to waste. Who would buy a 269-299 dollar PS3 now if they could buy a 399 PS4 that also plays PS3 games?

Having said that, backwards compatibility can also help sell new systems, since, we will still have first rate 360 / PS3 games coming out for at least another year. Does anyone here doubt the Xbox One would have sold better if you could play GTA V on it?

With PS2 backwards compatibility, it's a different story. The PS4 has the power to brute force emulate PS2 games, and it wouldn't cost Sony much to make software for that. That would just be a nice gesture to long time Sony fans. It's asking very little, really. Obviously it's not going to hurt PS2 sales.

 

[Tron Bonne]

PS Now isn't a bad idea, to me, but I still really don't consider it BC.

 

[Thundercrack85]

It's nice to have, but it does little for people who already have a PS3.

 

[Soapy]

Depends on the pricing.

 

[Thundercrack85]

True. I hope it won't be too outrageous.

 

[Tron Bonne]

A lot of it, for me, will also depend on what the library will actually look like. Sony has published some great games, but not enough that I haven't played that I'd even consider it if were restricted to first and second party titles. I'll have to see what the 3rd party selection will end up being like before I give any thought to it's worth.

 

[Quasimod0]

So can you purchase the games on ps now? Or only rent?

If XCOM:EW came to the ps4, I'd have no more reason to own a ps3.

 

[Tron Bonne]

If I'm not mistaken, it's being totted as a streaming service in the vein of Netflix.

 

[Iceman]

BC would make console buying decisions so easy for me. I'd trade up every time any new console launched from the big 3 and I could keep all my classic games.

 

[hippie_hunter]

How much of their audience really keeps games that long though? Games as old as PS2, one could reasonably expect were either tossed out for taking space (like mine eventually were) or traded/sold unless their PS2 is still plugged in, in which case, BC isn't even needed. Going one generation back of BC would be a nice gesture. Beyond that, I'd say it's asking a lot. Companies wanna move forward.

BC is good to have at a consoles launch so that consumers ignore that most launch titles are pretty damn lackluster. But after the launch period, you're right in that it doesn't matter as much anymore.

But considering how relatively easy and cheap BC will be for PSOne and PS2 games, there really is no reason for Sony not to include it for the niche market that enjoys having those games. It'll give good publicity and make hardcore gamers even more happy.

 

[Thundercrack85]

I'm actually curious in light of the talk of 360 emulation if they won't release an Xbox emulator for the Xbox One. Should be a piece of cake for the Xbox One to emulate Xbox games.

 

[hippie_hunter]

I'm actually curious in light of the talk of 360 emulation if they won't release an Xbox emulator for the Xbox One. Should be a piece of cake for the Xbox One to emulate Xbox games.

I'd be surprised if Microsoft decided not to allow original Xbox games to be emulated on the Xbox One if they're going for Xbox 360 compatibility. That said though, it's not like the original Xbox had that many games for it like the PSOne, PS2, and 360 did.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Well, it had a decent library. About a 1000 titles, and 284 exclusives. About 20 of which I would personally like to play again.

But yeah, the PS2 was definitely king of that generation.

 

[Soapy]

I actually think the Xbox's library is kind of underrated.

 

[Thundercrack85]

It's too bad they didn't make it Dreamcast compatible. Then again, I doubt Microsoft would care now even if they had.

 

[hippie_hunter]

Well, it had a decent library. About a 1000 titles, and 284 exclusives. About 20 of which I would personally like to play again.

But yeah, the PS2 was definitely king of that generation.

It had some great gems here and there like Knights of the Old Republic and Morrowind and Halo, but I think the 360 is where the Xbox brand really got to shine with the games.

 

[Tron Bonne]

The original Xbox had all kinds of great little gems: Phantom Dust, Jet Set Radio Future, Crismon Skies, Panzer Dragoon Orta, Ninja Gaiden, etc. Lots of good stuff on there.

I do also wonder if the decision to nix BC was also about the rise of the HD collection this gen. Lots of HD ports of previous gen games got released with minimal efforts and seemed to sell well. It amazed me that so many people were willing to pay to play something they already bought just because it was slightly prettier.

 

[Iceman]

I think the slightly better thing is in many cases (mine at least) an excuse to play the game again. I love nostalgia but I rarely actually play my old games without something external prompting me.

 

[Tron Bonne]

I don't know, seems kind of like throwing $40-50 away really. The only one I got was the MGS one, but it was only because I never played Peace Walker. If they had bonus stuff, I could see it, but few of them do (I know MGS3 in this collection actually had stuff cut).

 

[Havok83]

MGS and the first GoW collection were the only ones I've played through originally. The Jak, Ratchet, Sly, GoW Origins, DMC, Ico/SotC were a great way to play games I never touched or completed

I forgot to add FFX which I'm current playing and have 150 hours. In this case, the HD collection allows me to play one of my favorites which I no longer have access to

 

[Tron Bonne]

If you've never played the games, or if you don't have it anymore, of course I can see the appeal. But I notice a lot of people who have played or still have still bought them. I honestly don't get it, but obviously, it's got enough of an audience to keep doing it.

 

[Soapy]

I am so thankful for the "HD re-release" trend. If we never upgraded old media to new platforms, then older movies and games and such would be lost. New people would never get to experience it and they would be forgotten.

 

[Benstamania]

Yeah. I quite like the HD Re-release stuff. While I don't think it needs to be done for EVERY game I pretty much bought all the ones on PS3.. I'll buy TLOU again on PS4 as well as the rumored Uncharted Trilogy.. as well as Halo 2 Anniversary. Not only can new players enjoy these games but we all can as well.

I wish they would all be 49.99.. but if there's a lot of work involved and it's not done shotty.. then I don't mind giving them 60.. Twice.