Ah, so I wasn't the only one puzzled by all the optimism. Price drop talk this soon? Dropping the EE, sony still takes a massive loss per PS3, even at the ridiculous AUS/EU prices.
And hell yeah the EE PS3 will be a collectors system.
even if the ps3 sells as well as the internet massive wants it to, say 100000 units in the first year, $27 per unit is stilll $2.7 million
now i don't care how much money a company has, none of them want to lose $2.7 million if they can help it, even if it's on top of $300 million other losses
this is why sony are doing it, i'm sure you can continue to debate whether they should
Yes, everyone read through this very long, negative article which briefly mentions what I'm talking about. It will be fun!
So my Ps3 may become some freaky collectors item? Doubtful, but fun to think about.
Quick math: $27 part. 1 million systems. $27 million dollars.
Now let's extrapolate over the potential life of the PS3 - saying it sells only half of what the PS2 did: $27 Part. 55 million systems. $1, 485, 000, 000. That's Billion with a B.
It becomes clear why they'd do it sooner rather than later.
Yes, everyone read through this very long, negative article which briefly mentions what I'm talking about. It will be fun!
So my Ps3 may become some freaky collectors item? Doubtful, but fun to think about.
Quick math: $27 part. 1 million systems. $27 million dollars.
Now let's extrapolate over the potential life of the PS3 - saying it sells only half of what the PS2 did: $27 Part. 55 million systems. $1, 485, 000, 000. That's Billion with a B.
It becomes clear why they'd do it sooner rather than later.
Except that $1.5 billion "savings" could translate into many billions in losses when people decide that this was the one of many, many straws that broke the camel's back, and decide to forgo Sony's system. For some reason, there are tons of people who like BC on their systems.
That's what I meant. I don't understand why they would risk alienating a possible customer so they can save 27 on a system. But then again, until we find out for sure how many games will be left out, people shouldn't be to worried about it. Odds are, if you were going to buy a PS3, you're probably still going too.
Yes, everyone read through this very long, negative article which briefly mentions what I'm talking about. It will be fun!
So my Ps3 may become some freaky collectors item? Doubtful, but fun to think about.
Quick math: $27 part. 1 million systems. $27 million dollars.
Now let's extrapolate over the potential life of the PS3 - saying it sells only half of what the PS2 did: $27 Part. 55 million systems. $1, 485, 000, 000. That's Billion with a B.
It becomes clear why they'd do it sooner rather than later.
Except that $1.5 billion "savings" could translate into many billions in losses when people decide that this was the one of many, many straws that broke the camel's back, and decide to forgo Sony's system. For some reason, there are tons of people who like BC on their systems.
You're telling me, they honestly think that eliminating ANOTHER one of the main features that they've bragged about for the past year won't have any change on the already miniscule demand for the system?
Why don't they get rid of the one thing very few people care about, i.e.: the Blu-ray drive, and sell those systems for $400? Those things would fly off the shelves, they would lose less money per system, and they might actually salvage something out of this train wreck.
If we took a poll of 1000 people, do you think they would care more about BC or Blu-ray? I'm betting very few would choose Blu-ray over 99% BC.
Since Sony seems to be getting rid of PS3s with a PS2 on board, does that mean that some day down the line, the consoles on the shelves right now might actually be sought after for collectors and hackers alike? Will there be a huge demand for the initial PS3s that can play 99% of BC games? Will those with eye patches discover an exploit that opens up the PS3 to all things illegal and silly by using the PS2 chips?
Not knowing the exact ins-and-outs of the system, could there possibly be a game that is programmed to use the EE chip and the battery of PS3 chips? Is the EE delegated to only PS2 playback?
I tells ya, the mind boggles.....
I'm sure part of the purpose behind the announcement was to get the current batch of fence-sitters to rush out and buy a PS3 now before the sucky ones get released.
Me personally, I'm sticking with my PS2 and probably won't get a PS3 at all now, even after a price drop, but I guess we'll see.
You're telling me, they honestly think that eliminating ANOTHER one of the main features that they've bragged about for the past year won't have any change on the already miniscule demand for the system?
Why don't they get rid of the one thing very few people care about, i.e.: the Blu-ray drive, and sell those systems for $400? Those things would fly off the shelves, they would lose less money per system, and they might actually salvage something out of this train wreck.
If we took a poll of 1000 people, do you think they would care more about BC or Blu-ray? I'm betting very few would choose Blu-ray over 99% BC.
Slurp, are you serious? You're hammering on the same points even though they've been refuted repeatedly.
1. The feature is reduced, not removed. We'll see how reduced in three weeks.
2. Blu-ray is at the heart of the systems. The games come on Blu-ray. It's not going. Get over it.
3. It's not a train wreck by any means. Tell you what - if the PS3 goes tits up before the end of 2008 I'll buy you a game for the system of your choice.
4. I'd disagree and say it'd be more of a 50/50 split. But that's my opinion - I respect yours.
So again, I'll ask - is 80% of the 2000 odd titles enough for the European audience?
If it doesn't support 95 of GameRanking's top 100 PS2 games within six months, then that definitely isn't good enough. US customers got around 99% compatibility. European/Australian customers deserve the same (or better, since we are paying more).
And Sony have said that the BC list will be available some time on launch day. That's after the midnight launch as far as I am concerned.
Guys, when Sony says 80%, do you honestly expect them to deliver 80%?
Think, long and hard, about every promise Sony has ever made about one of their consoles. How often do they deliver, and how often is what they do deliver what you were led to expect from them?
Pheezer on
IT'S GOT ME REACHING IN MY POCKET IT'S GOT ME FORKING OVER CASH
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
Guys, when Sony says 80%, do you honestly expect them to deliver 80%?
Think, long and hard, about every promise Sony has ever made about one of their consoles. How often do they deliver, and how often is what they do deliver what you were led to expect from them?
What has Sony promised me?
Hmm.
Cheap Blu-ray player? Check.
Wireless Motion Sensing Controller? Check.
Media Centre unit that I could install Linux on? Check.
Rotating Playstation Logo? Check.
Yeah, it seems like they're doing pretty well on my account. Perhaps it's because I have so little vested in the success or failure of these things that I just can't get emotional about it - but shit, if they say 80%, I'll be expecting 80%. If it's not 80% I'd be interested to know why. Meh, either way, I've still got my PS2 and my mystical 99% (98%?) BC PS3.
Guys, when Sony says 80%, do you honestly expect them to deliver 80%?
Think, long and hard, about every promise Sony has ever made about one of their consoles. How often do they deliver, and how often is what they do deliver what you were led to expect from them?
Why not? The list they composed for the US and Japanese launches was incredibly in-depth, so much so that they listed that one of the Wild Arms game had a single pixel moved.
Btw, I think it should be made clear that they said "60-80%" and that they were referring to both PS1 and PS2 games. So they could get PS1 emulation to 100% and have PS2 emulation down at 40% (which overall would be 70%) and they'd still be correct.
Guys, when Sony says 80%, do you honestly expect them to deliver 80%?
Think, long and hard, about every promise Sony has ever made about one of their consoles. How often do they deliver, and how often is what they do deliver what you were led to expect from them?
What has Sony promised me?
Hmm.
Cheap Blu-ray player? Check.
Wireless Motion Sensing Controller? Check.
Media Centre unit that I could install Linux on? Check.
Rotating Playstation Logo? Check.
Yeah, it seems like they're doing pretty well on my account. Perhaps it's because I have so little vested in the success or failure of these things that I just can't get emotional about it - but shit, if they say 80%, I'll be expecting 80%. If it's not 80% I'd be interested to know why. Meh, either way, I've still got my PS2 and my mystical 99% (98%?) BC PS3.
You're complaining about dual HDMI? A spec that was removed long before the system saw daylight?
/golfclap riiiiight.
Hey, call me when my 360 has ONE HDMI, eh?
Microsoft never claimed the 360 would have HDMI, Sony lied about their systems HDMI abilities.
The point is Sony has not delivered what was promised, they lied.
See, I'm not sure if you quite comprehend what constitutes lying - to malciously mislead their audience Sony would have said "It has two HDMIs!" on launch day.
Instead they said that the specs included two HDMI ports - which was later revised to one - quite publicly. That's not a lie, that's a revision. I hope that clears it up for you.
Sony originally stated that they would use software for backwards compatibility - and now in a public statement they've give customers quite a bit of notice that yes, if you purchase a European PS3, you're getting a software driven BC system.
There are no lies there. It's okay - you picked a poor example - it happens.
I should probably clarify - I had no intentions of buying a PS3. We had 1000 in inventory online on Boxing Day (December 26th - it's the Canadian Black Friday) and I decided "aw what the hell" and I treated myself. I wanted a Blu-ray player.
Since it arrived it's been good fun. I've been neglecting my 360 a bit (something I intend to rectify this week... I hear this "Crack Down" is quite good). I have this strange compulsion to stick up for Sony - probably because I didn't pay any attention to the shit that was going down pre-launch. Terribly sorry if I'm all up in grills, but if I don't do it, who will?
Side note: We blew through 1000 of those PS3s in less than 2 hours
But yeah, not a lie, a revision. Sony's initial vision for PS3 turned out to be more then they could achieve.
I didn't initially, but I agree with Threepio now as well. The software emulator could be quite capable, especially given the hardware power of the PS3. Sony knows that BC is a big part of their strategy; it is their own invention after all, so they've got to have some idea of where they're going. And to their credit, they've been fairly speedy in their release of software updates as they play catchup to Microsoft regarding functionality. The big March firmware should bring lots of goodies that close the gap quite well.
Playstation has taken a few hits lately, but it's still Playstation. I seriously doubt Sony wants to give up their place in the market. Like I said earlier, this generation is quite fascinating and it's also volatile. I'm excited to see how things turn out, regardless of my affinity for one system or another. For the record, I own a PS3 and a Wii. I had a 360 for a time, but I sold it, as for me personally the PS3 and the Wii have more games I want to play. I do totally respect what Microsoft is doing this gen however.
brynstar on
Xbox Live: Xander51
PSN ID : Xander51 Steam ID : Xander51
I wonder if this means that the Blu-Ray components are getting a lot cheaper now. This added to the fact that Sony will very soon by manufacturing 64nm Cell chips and the exclusion of the EE+GS chips... Price drop in a few months? Please?
Also, while I'm sure some of you guys know, I think I should point out that software emulation is a LOT better than the hardware solution. Upscaling and reduced load times are noticable improvements.
Also, while I'm sure some of you guys know, I think I should point out that software emulation is a LOT better than the hardware solution. Upscaling and reduced load times are noticable improvements.
That's the case if they really work at it, and get near 100% compatibility.
However, Sony have stated:
"Rather than concentrate on PS2 backwards compatibility, in the future, company resources will be increasingly focused on developing new games and entertainment features exclusively for PS3".
To me, that seems to sound like improving backwards compatibility won't be a priority. It's certainly a big contrast with what Microsoft were saying when they announced emulated BC.
It seems to me that you are all just a bunch of tools who try to make a bunch of shallow analysis of a future that very much depends on how the customers (that would be you) perceives the consoles. I've noticed a lot of threads recently addressing problems or possible problems of the Wii and the VC. And there's the rumors and speculations of "the new Xbox360" which has lead me to believe that guerilla advertising is happening in plain view in front of us. Fight the capitalist pigs by buying pirated software for the C64!
I'm still confused at how this is actually saving Sony money. When they say that it no longer has the EE+GS chip, it means that they no longer have the smaller, cheaper, unified EE+GS chip and instead has a GS chip. Eiher that or they just got too used to calling the combination "EE+GS" since the revision that unified them on one chip (I mean, why would the first PS3s use two discrete chips when the PS2 was using unified ones?).
This means that they replaced a single cheaper chip with another single chip they don't even manufacture anymore (or, weren't). How this saves them $27 per console I'm not sure, because Sony publicized that the cost savings using the unified EE+GS were significant. Whatever the actual savings, it can't be worth the drop in compatability. What does this have to say about PS2 pricing at $130? If the GS costs $27 less than the EE+GS, then even the out-dated CPU/GPU components alone must make up a significant portion of the PS2's costs.
Obviously, the GS is still costing Sony money, so they must have had some considerable pressure that I just don't see to move to software/hardware hybrid BC this early. Perhaps there were loads warehoused from old PS2s and they had to offload them so they chose the market that's going to have less time with full hardware BC to begin with. When the entire line is transitioned to FULL software BC, Europe will have lower expectations.
They're taking advantage of their failed promise of a simultaneous worldwide launch to use some kind of voodoo strategy. Can't ignore strategy.
Since Sony seems to be getting rid of PS3s with a PS2 on board, does that mean that some day down the line, the consoles on the shelves right now might actually be sought after for collectors and hackers alike? Will there be a huge demand for the initial PS3s that can play 99% of BC games? Will those with eye patches discover an exploit that opens up the PS3 to all things illegal and silly by using the PS2 chips?
Not knowing the exact ins-and-outs of the system, could there possibly be a game that is programmed to use the EE chip and the battery of PS3 chips? Is the EE delegated to only PS2 playback?
I tells ya, the mind boggles.....
I'm sure part of the purpose behind the announcement was to get the current batch of fence-sitters to rush out and buy a PS3 now before the sucky ones get released.
I was thinking the same thing, but they didn't give a whiff of a mention about the model coming stateside.
Mark my words, it will, but they probably just have so many older units warehoused and in stock rooms that they can't bring up any changes when they have no idea how long it'll take to get to the market.
Also, while I'm sure some of you guys know, I think I should point out that software emulation is a LOT better than the hardware solution. Upscaling and reduced load times are noticable improvements.
That's the case if they really work at it, and get near 100% compatibility.
However, Sony have stated:
"Rather than concentrate on PS2 backwards compatibility, in the future, company resources will be increasingly focused on developing new games and entertainment features exclusively for PS3".
To me, that seems to sound like improving backwards compatibility won't be a priority. It's certainly a big contrast with what Microsoft were saying when they announced emulated BC.
The interpretation of "limited" PS2 BC may be way off though. As far as we know, it could already be vastly superior to the 360's BC as it currently is. After all, it does still contain the PS2's GS chip and that alone means that the graphics should be handled properly and any compatability issues will be from bad emulation of the other core components/sub-systems (CPUs are somewhat easy to emulate in comparison).
Also, while I'm sure some of you guys know, I think I should point out that software emulation is a LOT better than the hardware solution. Upscaling and reduced load times are noticable improvements.
That's the case if they really work at it, and get near 100% compatibility.
However, Sony have stated:
"Rather than concentrate on PS2 backwards compatibility, in the future, company resources will be increasingly focused on developing new games and entertainment features exclusively for PS3".
To me, that seems to sound like improving backwards compatibility won't be a priority. It's certainly a big contrast with what Microsoft were saying when they announced emulated BC.
You... Realise that they don't have all 1000 programmers in one pool and assign 900 of them to work on games, with the 100 left working on backwards compatibility, right?
What they are saying in that quote (and I should point out that Microsoft said something similar a few months back, to similar mis-interpretations) is that they don't want to get people thinking that they will turn out huge backwards compatibility patches really frequently. They'll release them when they're done. The last part is them just saying "but don't focus on that, focus on the awesome games we're making!" From what I've read, Sony have a team in the UK dedicated solely to developing the backwards compatibility.
CZroe: Uh, I think you misinterpreted the situation. They are taking the unified EE+GS chip completely out of the PS3 and not replacing it with anything.
The EE+GS chip was to save money on PS2 production, not PS3. The only reason the chip is in the PS3 is because they couldn't have the software emulation ready in time for the US/Jap launches. They always intended on taking it out once they got the emulation up.
Btw, I'm pretty sure the PS2 is priced at $130 because a) It's selling really well and b) It'll help offset the money they're losing on the PS3.
Mr_Rose83 Blue Ridge Protects the HolyRegistered Userregular
edited February 2007
This is nearly off-topic, but did you guys know that there's a company that buys PS3s for the sole purpose of ripping out the blu-ray laser to make laser pointers?
Apparently it's cheaper than buying OEM blue laser diodes from the wholesalers that supply Sony with theirs.
That is why there will be no price cuts for the foreseeable future of the PS3. That and even Sony know what sort of PR disaster cutting the price less than twenty-seven months into the product's lifespan could be...
Actually that would create a lower software:console tie ratio which is really what matters when they're trying to convince developers to bring a game exclusively to them.
This is nearly off-topic, but did you guys know that there's a company that buys PS3s for the sole purpose of ripping out the blu-ray laser to make laser pointers?
Apparently it's cheaper than buying OEM blue laser diodes from the wholesalers that supply Sony with theirs.
That is why there will be no price cuts for the foreseeable future of the PS3. That and even Sony know what sort of PR disaster cutting the price less than twenty-seven months into the product's lifespan could be...
haha, I remember when a creative labs 1.5gb micro drive based mp3 player was cheaper than buying the micro drive on its own, and people were buying the mp3 player, taking it apart, and using the micro drive in cameras.
Mr_Rose83 Blue Ridge Protects the HolyRegistered Userregular
edited February 2007
Actually, I just went back and checked and they've stopped using PS3 lasers, but only because someone came up with a slightly cheaper standalone or something.
Also, apparently, blu-ray is in fact purple... More Sony lies! :P
To the fellow complaining about the PS3 launch lineup...Have you SEEN the launch lineup for Europe? Seriously.
Blazing Angels! Exclusive to Playsta... oh.
Call of Duty 3! Exclusive to Playsta... oh.
Enchanted Arms! Exclusive to Playsta... oh.
F.E.A.R.! Exclusive to Playsta... oh.
Fight Night! Exclusive to Playsta... oh.
Marvel Ultimate Alliance! Exclusive to Playsta... oh.
Need for Speed: Carbon! Exclusive to Playsta... oh.
Oblivion! Exclusive to Playsta... oh.
Sonic the Hedgehog (the shit one)! Exclusive to Playsta... oh.
Splinter Cell! Exclusive to Playsta... oh.
The Godfather! Exclusive to Playsta... oh.
Tony Hawk's Project 8! Exclusive to Playsta... oh.
Well, there's this downloadable Sudoku game. Sudoku! Exclusive to... oh.
I remember the good old days when you bought a new games console to play the games designed for that system.
Really, if the PS3 launch lineup was better people wouldnt give a fuck about the backwards compatibility.
You cannot compare what is important today with what was important back in Video Gaming's infant stages.
I seem to remember quite an outcry from parents over the SNES' inability to play that big library of NES games they'd accumulated for years for their children, while SEGA had the Master System Adaptor at the ready.
Why don't they get rid of the one thing very few people care about, i.e.: the Blu-ray drive, and sell those systems for $400? Those things would fly off the shelves, they would lose less money per system, and they might actually salvage something out of this train wreck.
If we took a poll of 1000 people, do you think they would care more about BC or Blu-ray? I'm betting very few would choose Blu-ray over 99% BC.
...so what you're effectively suggesting is to turn the PS3 into a system that can only play PS1 or PS2 games?
Also, while I'm sure some of you guys know, I think I should point out that software emulation is a LOT better than the hardware solution. Upscaling and reduced load times are noticable improvements.
That's the case if they really work at it, and get near 100% compatibility.
However, Sony have stated:
"Rather than concentrate on PS2 backwards compatibility, in the future, company resources will be increasingly focused on developing new games and entertainment features exclusively for PS3".
To me, that seems to sound like improving backwards compatibility won't be a priority. It's certainly a big contrast with what Microsoft were saying when they announced emulated BC.
I find their seeming disinterest in improving the matter to be the most disheartening part of all this. With that in mind, I think Europe ought to get something equally compatible to start with. When emulation is improved enough for the rest, do it in Europe, too.
LBD_Nytetrayn on
Like Mega Man Legends? Then check out my story, Legends of the Halcyon Era - An Adventure in the World of Mega Man Legends on TMMN and AO3!
Mumblyfish is a retard, this is the launch lineup (quality is bolded):
Resistance: Fall of Man MotorStorm
Genji: Days of the Blade
Formula One: Championship Edition
Ridge Racer 7
Call of Duty 3
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
Tony Hawks Project 8
Gundam - Target in Sight
Full Auto 2: Battle Lines
Sonic the Hedgehog Virtua Fighter 5
Virtua Tennis 3
World Snooker Championship 2007
NBA 2K7
NHL 2K7
Blazing Angels Squadrons of WWII
Enchanted Arms
Tom Clancys Splinter Cell: Double Agent
The Elder Scrolls lV: Oblivion
Def Jam: Icon
EA SPORTS Fight Night Round 3
NBA Street Homecourt
Need for Speed Carbon
The Godfather The Dons Edition
Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 07
Untold Legends Dark Kingdom
F.E.A.R.
Downloadable:
Gripshift
Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection
Lemmings
Go! Sudoku
Go! Puzzle
Blast Factor
flOw
Super RubaDub
Posts
I'm getting mine signed by Mr. Potatomoto.
http://www.playfuls.com/news_06339_How_Sony_Killed_the_PlayStation3_and_NOT_Just_in_Europe.html
Yes, everyone read through this very long, negative article which briefly mentions what I'm talking about. It will be fun!
So my Ps3 may become some freaky collectors item? Doubtful, but fun to think about.
now i don't care how much money a company has, none of them want to lose $2.7 million if they can help it, even if it's on top of $300 million other losses
this is why sony are doing it, i'm sure you can continue to debate whether they should
Quick math: $27 part. 1 million systems. $27 million dollars.
Now let's extrapolate over the potential life of the PS3 - saying it sells only half of what the PS2 did: $27 Part. 55 million systems. $1, 485, 000, 000. That's Billion with a B.
It becomes clear why they'd do it sooner rather than later.
Except that $1.5 billion "savings" could translate into many billions in losses when people decide that this was the one of many, many straws that broke the camel's back, and decide to forgo Sony's system. For some reason, there are tons of people who like BC on their systems.
Why don't they get rid of the one thing very few people care about, i.e.: the Blu-ray drive, and sell those systems for $400? Those things would fly off the shelves, they would lose less money per system, and they might actually salvage something out of this train wreck.
If we took a poll of 1000 people, do you think they would care more about BC or Blu-ray? I'm betting very few would choose Blu-ray over 99% BC.
I'm sure part of the purpose behind the announcement was to get the current batch of fence-sitters to rush out and buy a PS3 now before the sucky ones get released.
Me personally, I'm sticking with my PS2 and probably won't get a PS3 at all now, even after a price drop, but I guess we'll see.
Slurp, are you serious? You're hammering on the same points even though they've been refuted repeatedly.
1. The feature is reduced, not removed. We'll see how reduced in three weeks.
2. Blu-ray is at the heart of the systems. The games come on Blu-ray. It's not going. Get over it.
3. It's not a train wreck by any means. Tell you what - if the PS3 goes tits up before the end of 2008 I'll buy you a game for the system of your choice.
4. I'd disagree and say it'd be more of a 50/50 split. But that's my opinion - I respect yours.
If it doesn't support 95 of GameRanking's top 100 PS2 games within six months, then that definitely isn't good enough. US customers got around 99% compatibility. European/Australian customers deserve the same (or better, since we are paying more).
And Sony have said that the BC list will be available some time on launch day. That's after the midnight launch as far as I am concerned.
Think, long and hard, about every promise Sony has ever made about one of their consoles. How often do they deliver, and how often is what they do deliver what you were led to expect from them?
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
What has Sony promised me?
Hmm.
Cheap Blu-ray player? Check.
Wireless Motion Sensing Controller? Check.
Media Centre unit that I could install Linux on? Check.
Rotating Playstation Logo? Check.
Yeah, it seems like they're doing pretty well on my account. Perhaps it's because I have so little vested in the success or failure of these things that I just can't get emotional about it - but shit, if they say 80%, I'll be expecting 80%. If it's not 80% I'd be interested to know why. Meh, either way, I've still got my PS2 and my mystical 99% (98%?) BC PS3.
Btw, I think it should be made clear that they said "60-80%" and that they were referring to both PS1 and PS2 games. So they could get PS1 emulation to 100% and have PS2 emulation down at 40% (which overall would be 70%) and they'd still be correct.
Where is my dual HDMI?
/golfclap riiiiight.
Hey, call me when my 360 has ONE HDMI, eh?
Microsoft never claimed the 360 would have HDMI, Sony lied about their systems HDMI abilities.
The point is Sony has not delivered what was promised, they lied.
See, I'm not sure if you quite comprehend what constitutes lying - to malciously mislead their audience Sony would have said "It has two HDMIs!" on launch day.
Instead they said that the specs included two HDMI ports - which was later revised to one - quite publicly. That's not a lie, that's a revision. I hope that clears it up for you.
Sony originally stated that they would use software for backwards compatibility - and now in a public statement they've give customers quite a bit of notice that yes, if you purchase a European PS3, you're getting a software driven BC system.
There are no lies there. It's okay - you picked a poor example - it happens.
But yeah, not a lie, a revision. Sony's initial vision for PS3 turned out to be more then they could achieve.
Since it arrived it's been good fun. I've been neglecting my 360 a bit (something I intend to rectify this week... I hear this "Crack Down" is quite good). I have this strange compulsion to stick up for Sony - probably because I didn't pay any attention to the shit that was going down pre-launch. Terribly sorry if I'm all up in grills, but if I don't do it, who will?
Side note: We blew through 1000 of those PS3s in less than 2 hours
I didn't initially, but I agree with Threepio now as well. The software emulator could be quite capable, especially given the hardware power of the PS3. Sony knows that BC is a big part of their strategy; it is their own invention after all, so they've got to have some idea of where they're going. And to their credit, they've been fairly speedy in their release of software updates as they play catchup to Microsoft regarding functionality. The big March firmware should bring lots of goodies that close the gap quite well.
Playstation has taken a few hits lately, but it's still Playstation. I seriously doubt Sony wants to give up their place in the market. Like I said earlier, this generation is quite fascinating and it's also volatile. I'm excited to see how things turn out, regardless of my affinity for one system or another. For the record, I own a PS3 and a Wii. I had a 360 for a time, but I sold it, as for me personally the PS3 and the Wii have more games I want to play. I do totally respect what Microsoft is doing this gen however.
PSN ID : Xander51 Steam ID : Xander51
To the fellow complaining about the PS3 launch lineup...Have you SEEN the launch lineup for Europe? Seriously.
Also, while I'm sure some of you guys know, I think I should point out that software emulation is a LOT better than the hardware solution. Upscaling and reduced load times are noticable improvements.
That's the case if they really work at it, and get near 100% compatibility.
However, Sony have stated:
"Rather than concentrate on PS2 backwards compatibility, in the future, company resources will be increasingly focused on developing new games and entertainment features exclusively for PS3".
To me, that seems to sound like improving backwards compatibility won't be a priority. It's certainly a big contrast with what Microsoft were saying when they announced emulated BC.
You are Sony's colon!
This means that they replaced a single cheaper chip with another single chip they don't even manufacture anymore (or, weren't). How this saves them $27 per console I'm not sure, because Sony publicized that the cost savings using the unified EE+GS were significant. Whatever the actual savings, it can't be worth the drop in compatability. What does this have to say about PS2 pricing at $130? If the GS costs $27 less than the EE+GS, then even the out-dated CPU/GPU components alone must make up a significant portion of the PS2's costs.
Obviously, the GS is still costing Sony money, so they must have had some considerable pressure that I just don't see to move to software/hardware hybrid BC this early. Perhaps there were loads warehoused from old PS2s and they had to offload them so they chose the market that's going to have less time with full hardware BC to begin with. When the entire line is transitioned to FULL software BC, Europe will have lower expectations.
They're taking advantage of their failed promise of a simultaneous worldwide launch to use some kind of voodoo strategy. Can't ignore strategy.
I was thinking the same thing, but they didn't give a whiff of a mention about the model coming stateside.
Mark my words, it will, but they probably just have so many older units warehoused and in stock rooms that they can't bring up any changes when they have no idea how long it'll take to get to the market.
No time to read, but I bet it supports DTS-HD 7.1 output unlike the PS3 (I think it was gimped to sell SOME BD players to HT enthusiasts).
The interpretation of "limited" PS2 BC may be way off though. As far as we know, it could already be vastly superior to the 360's BC as it currently is. After all, it does still contain the PS2's GS chip and that alone means that the graphics should be handled properly and any compatability issues will be from bad emulation of the other core components/sub-systems (CPUs are somewhat easy to emulate in comparison).
What they are saying in that quote (and I should point out that Microsoft said something similar a few months back, to similar mis-interpretations) is that they don't want to get people thinking that they will turn out huge backwards compatibility patches really frequently. They'll release them when they're done. The last part is them just saying "but don't focus on that, focus on the awesome games we're making!" From what I've read, Sony have a team in the UK dedicated solely to developing the backwards compatibility.
CZroe: Uh, I think you misinterpreted the situation. They are taking the unified EE+GS chip completely out of the PS3 and not replacing it with anything.
The EE+GS chip was to save money on PS2 production, not PS3. The only reason the chip is in the PS3 is because they couldn't have the software emulation ready in time for the US/Jap launches. They always intended on taking it out once they got the emulation up.
Btw, I'm pretty sure the PS2 is priced at $130 because a) It's selling really well and b) It'll help offset the money they're losing on the PS3.
Apparently it's cheaper than buying OEM blue laser diodes from the wholesalers that supply Sony with theirs.
That is why there will be no price cuts for the foreseeable future of the PS3. That and even Sony know what sort of PR disaster cutting the price less than twenty-seven months into the product's lifespan could be...
Nintendo Network ID: AzraelRose
DropBox invite link - get 500MB extra free.
haha, I remember when a creative labs 1.5gb micro drive based mp3 player was cheaper than buying the micro drive on its own, and people were buying the mp3 player, taking it apart, and using the micro drive in cameras.
Also, apparently, blu-ray is in fact purple... More Sony lies! :P
Nintendo Network ID: AzraelRose
DropBox invite link - get 500MB extra free.
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No resistance?
I seem to remember quite an outcry from parents over the SNES' inability to play that big library of NES games they'd accumulated for years for their children, while SEGA had the Master System Adaptor at the ready.
...so what you're effectively suggesting is to turn the PS3 into a system that can only play PS1 or PS2 games?
I find their seeming disinterest in improving the matter to be the most disheartening part of all this. With that in mind, I think Europe ought to get something equally compatible to start with. When emulation is improved enough for the rest, do it in Europe, too.
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Resistance: Fall of Man
MotorStorm
Genji: Days of the Blade
Formula One: Championship Edition
Ridge Racer 7
Call of Duty 3
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance
Tony Hawks Project 8
Gundam - Target in Sight
Full Auto 2: Battle Lines
Sonic the Hedgehog
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Virtua Tennis 3
World Snooker Championship 2007
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Blazing Angels Squadrons of WWII
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NBA Street Homecourt
Need for Speed Carbon
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Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 07
Untold Legends Dark Kingdom
F.E.A.R.
Downloadable:
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Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection
Lemmings
Go! Sudoku
Go! Puzzle
Blast Factor
flOw
Super RubaDub
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