backward compatibility
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Ubisoft pulls post about PS4 games not working on PS5, cites 'inaccuracies' (updated)
Ubisoft pulled a blog post that listed several PS4-era games that it said may not run properly on the PS5.
Microsoft clarifies which games work on Xbox Series S and X on day one
Every game that runs on Xbox One makes the cut, except for ones that need Kinect.
Sony finally reveals which PS4 games won't work on PS5
Only 10 games, including 'Hitman Go: Definitive Edition,' won't make the cut.
Sony will require devs to make future PS4 games compatible with the PS5
Developers will have to ensure that new PS4 games work on PS5 as well.
Xbox One backward compatibility a theoretical proposal, Microsoft says
Microsoft Senior Director Albert Penello told Gamespot this week that the Xbox One could potentially, one day, offer backward compatibility using its Azure cloud service. This doesn't mean that Microsoft is actively pursuing backward compatibility in the Xbox One, a Microsoft spokesperson tells Joystiq: "The power of the cloud brings many possibilities on Xbox One. Albert was speaking theoretically about backwards compatibility as an example of the features the cloud could enable in the future." In the interview, Penello responded to a question about potential backward compatibility on Xbox One by saying the console was "absolutely" open to that type of connected feature. "There are so many things that the servers can do," he said. "Using our Azure cloud servers, sometimes it's things like voice processing. It could be more complicated things like rendering full games like a Gaikai and delivering it to the box. We just have to figure out how, over time, how much does that cost to deliver, how good is the experience." Backward compatibility might be a feature on Xbox One in the future, but for now that's a hypothetical scenario. The console itself might also one day be red, cost $50 or cook breakfast for you – theoretically, of course.
PlayStation 4 will stream PS1, PS2, PS3 games
The PlayStation 4 will use the "PlayStation Cloud" service to stream PS1, PS2, and PS3 games, solving the backward compatibility problem with technology developed by Gaikai. This functionality was first reported last week by the Wall Street Journal, and confirmed today during the PlayStation unveiling event.In the presentation, Gaikai founder David Perry expressed PlayStation's desire to use this service to stream "everything ever," but no specific games were revealed. On one hand, that suggests the PS4 isn't natively able to play legacy discs; on the other hand, there's tech built in to play those games on the system via streaming.This is part of "PlayStation Cloud," the services of which will be rolled out gradually.
Sony Japan: PSOne classics coming to Vita in summer update, PlayStation 3 to get downloadable PS2 catalog later this month
If you've been aching to wile away hundreds more hours replaying Final Fantasy classics on the go, then Sony Japan's got some good news for you. It's finally revealed that the ability to play those charming, if a little dated, PSOne titles will arrive on the PS Vita's next software update, version 1.80, later this summer. This little nugget was tucked away behind the news that a handful of PS2 titles, playable on all versions of the PS3, will launch in the Japanese PlayStation Store on July 25th. The first wave of titles include Biohazard Code: Veronica, Siren and Dragon Force, all priced between 800 and 1,200 yen. No news yet, however, on when (or if) a similar retro-gaming bounty will arrive outside of Japan.
Sony: PlayStation 2 compatibility 'is not coming back' to PS3
Cling to that Cell-based PlayStation 2 emulator patent all you want, but Sony director of hardware marketing John Koller has some disparaging words for those wanting Shadow the Colossus to one day work one the latest hardware. PS2 backwards compatibility "is not coming back, so let me put that on the table," he told Ars Technica, soon after reaffirming, "that won't be returning." Apparently people have been buying the PS3 not for PS2 titles but for the newest games and Blu-ray movies -- and given PS2's continued dominance in sales, presumably to play those last-gen games, we don't doubt it. Seeing such a feature standard in all other consoles out there, including the first two iterations of this one, we can't help but feel burned. Still, it was less than two months ago when Sony's mantra was no PS3 price cuts, and funny enough, that's more or less what happened. So if Koller wants to go back on his word and offer PS2 compatibility further down the line, hey, we'll forgive him. [Via Joystiq]
Sony execs talk backward compatibility, PS3 comeback
One year after EGM's infamous BattleStation cover feature on the PS3's problems, the latest issue has a feature that's quite a bit more bullish about the system's chances in the coming year. Included in that feature is an interesting interview with two PlayStation executives that reveals some interesting thoughts on the future of backward compatibility on the PS3.First off, VP of Marketing Peter Dille said point blank that backward compatibility was "important" to Sony, and stressed that there's still a model on the market that offers the features (for $100 extra, of course). What's more, according to PSN Operation Director Eric Lempel, downloadable PS2 title might be possible even on versions of the system that don't support disc-based backward compatibility at all. "There are possibilities through technology and software emulation to make that possible," Lempel said, intriguingly.The entire interview is a must-read for anyone interested in a somewhat defensive take on everything from PS3 motion sensitivity to hard drive sizes and system pricing. Well worth wading into the tree-killing magazine racks of your local newsstand.
Italian PS3 owners want their PS2 soccer
While Sony may boast that over 1,000 PS2 games work on the modified European PS3, statistics don't matter much if your favorite game doesn't work correctly. Case in point, an editorial in Italy's Corriere Della Sera with the translated headline "Yesterday I bought a PS3. Today, I'm selling it." Apparently, at least one journalist is so mad about the PS3's lack of full support for Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer series (Eurogamer points out that the online matches don't work) that he is willing to sell the system at a discount just days after buying it. He's not alone, either. An Italian consumer association is reportedly demanding that Sony address the compatibility issues or offer PS3 owners a free game. Hell hath no fury like an Italian footie fan scorned.[Via GameSetWatch]
Sony's Harrison on Euro PS3: 1,000 PS2 games at launch
As you can probably imagine, the reaction to Sony's newly-spec'ed European PS3 hasn't been all that warm, so Three Speech decided to hit up big Phil Harrison himself to get responses to the criticism straight from the horse's mouth. Perhaps the biggest relief to nervous Eurogamers will be Harrison's claim that over 1,000 PS2 titles will be available on the PlayStation Network at launch fully software-backwards compatible (despite the Euro PS3's removal of PS2 hardware), a list of which will be made available online on the 23rd or perhaps even sooner. However, it's clear from the way Harrison dodged a question about the importance of backwards compatibility that Sony does not place a lot of weight on the feature, instead hoping that people will go out and spend loot on games and Blu-ray flicks. One possible positive revealed by Harrison was the fact that the PS2 Emotion Engine chips being omitted from European (and possibly all future) models are not the same ones mass-produced for the PS2 itself, but rather, are manufactured specifically for the PS3 -- meaning that Sony will indeed see a significant cost reduction which could theoretically be passed down to the consumer. Want some more potentially good news? How'd you like all those legacy games to utilize the PS3's upscaling ability and add new life to your favorite classics? Well that's exactly what Sony plans to do with a firmware update this summer, claims "Rumor Reporter" Bruce Kelly, whose sources tell him that the company is looking to bring 1080i/720p support to its upcoming emulator. Kelly goes on to say that Sony will add compatibility for select games in batches of ten or so, but hopes to eventually offer support for almost every title on PSN. We'll believe this one when we see it, but if Kelly does turn out to be right, we don't think Sony will be hearing one more word about that discarded Emotion Engine. Read - Harrison interview [Via Joystiq]Read - Upscaling rumor [Via PS3 Fanboy]
U.S. next to lose PS3 backward compatibility?
This week Sony announced there may be some slight backward compatibility issues on the European PS3. CVG followed-up and received word from Sony European PR, "Backwards compatibility is important but it does not define the PS3 in the same way as the other features do." They'll let the Europeans know what games are compatible when the system launches March 23.The question now is if this backward compatibility issue, spawned by a software program handling PS2 conversion instead of a hardware chip, would rear its ugly head for future PS3 owners in the U.S.? 1UP went ahead and asked the question and they were told, "We have no announcement ... at this time." Um, that's not a "No." Where's the "No?" Let's hope that Sony at least makes an announcement about the conversion, or gets their software up to the 98 percent compatibility like the current PS3 model, before they leave backward compatibility behind like a high school girlfriend after prom.
PS3 needs adapter for PS2 memory cards?
Give the PlayStation 3 your PlayStation or PlayStation 2 games, your original gray PSX controller, or the first dual shock from back in the late '90s. But keep memory card to your damn self. Well, not really, but it does look like Sony will require an adapter on the PlayStation 3 to be able to read memory cards from previous PlayStation consoles, as specified by their site. Not, not really a big deal at all unless they act all, um, Sony on us and don't bundle the adapter with the console. But we'll give 'em the benefit of the doubt though, as we wouldn't want to unduly accuse them of preparing to gouge consumers on a yet-to-be-released console, right? Right, Sony? Ok, good, glad we've come to an understanding with one another.[Via Joystiq]
