Rumour: Full PS3 backwards compatibility only weeks away

Gamezine: As Sony's backwards compatibility patents make the rounds, a German website has supposedly gained comment from a Sony employee.

We were quick to point out that the unearthed Sony patents for the emulation of the PS2's CPU (Emotion Engine) on the PlayStation 3 did not imply full backwards compatibility. This was for the simple fact that the PS3 had already been software emulating the Emotion Engine since early-2007 when it was ripped out of European PS3s.

However, the fact remained that the patent was filed in December 2008 with a publication date of only last week.

This brings us to the German website Demon News, which claims to have gained comment from a Sony employee.

[Cajun Chicken]

Hmm.

[evrfighter]

this and a $250 price tag would = my first console since ps1.

(my ps2 belonged to my wife)

[Livenow]

That's a really low amount. 299.99 if you non-PS3 owners are lucky. At 250.00 it's a steal.

[techie]

And I quote: "Pinch of salt people, big pinch of frickin' salt."

[darthv72]

Will this have any bearing on those who have partial bc? I have an 80gb motorstom unit and can play every PS2 game in my collection pretty good. Dont really notice any improvements from the reg ps2.

Although, I will say I have to play the GoW games on the ps2 because of how the ps3 and these games do widescreen. For some reason if I try to enable widescreen in GoW or GoW2 through the ps3 it comes out all funky looking. If I play in widescreen on the ps2 it looks fine. And yes...my ps3 is set to use widescreen.

If this is being released with the potential to bring ps2 games to psn.....will those games play on the psp as well? Anyone got info on that?????

[InfectedDK]

Even though, long back I gave the double for a PS3 with 60gb, I hope this is true! So all PS3 owners can enjoy PS2 games on their system as well.

[evrfighter]

ya $250...Why would I pay $300?

Im a an FPS gamer. Why would I pay $300 for a console I won't even be playing everyday. I don't spend more than a few days on singleplayer games. kz2 looks like cod4-lite with better graphics, mag looks like the 4 year old pc title bf2...256 players really means nothing. If you've played planetside you know what I mean.

No console no matter what the price will ever replace my pc. Both consoles would never satisfy my fps needs and that is why I don't own neither.

[ThanatosDMC]

FF12... i stopped playing that game cuz of cheap ass enemies... that or i suck.

[locos85]

The only reason I want B/C is to play FF12. that and FFX-2 are the only FF games i never played.

[JBaby343]

But this is good news for everyone that dragged their feet on the 60 gig models.

[uie4rhig]

Emotion Engine has been emulated since the PS3 EU 60GB version.. yet again, what is the fuz about? at most it is a patent of technology they already have.. if this was emulation of the Graphics Synthesizer, we would be talking, but this is the emotion engine, which is already emulated in the 60GB EU version and the 80GB US version!

peace!

[FamilyGuy]

My only interest in this is that if it's true we might we download-able PS2 games on the Playstation Store. It would be awesome to not have to search bargain bins for old games and be able to share them with friends without worrying about scratches.

[BattleAxe]

This would actually be new, the original PS3s(60gig, 20gig) had the full PS2 Emotion Chipset. To cut costs Sony took out some of the pieces of that chipset(80gig Motorstorm PS3) and added software emulation to fill in the blanks.

Now there is no PS2 hardware( Emotion chipset pieces)at all in any of the newer PS3s(40gig, 80gig, 160gig). So in order to allow people to play PS2 games now they have to used 100% software emulation which would come possibly through a system update.

Thats what the big deal is all about.

[Marcelles25]

the PS3 has the PS2's graphical synthesizer in EVERY model so the ps3 has been able to emulate the ps2 since 2007
thats what hes saying

and all those who thinks this is a big deal should have been sony fans from the start and got an original 60g

[SRU9600]

This would be very cool, but I will believe it when I see it.

[Allelujah00]

Playstation is no longer labeled as a "Console" they are now refering to it as a "Computer entertainment System." Those are stron words. It just stated that it okays the role of a Computer(internet, and typing capabilities), media hub(Music streaming, Blu-ray Player, Photo sharing), Networking(Free Playstation network including PS Home, Life with Playstation, and the PS Store), and lastly a Console(AAA games).

Now when someone wants to buy a blu ray player it's around 229.99, plus say the average of a console is around 209.99(please note you are past 400 bucks already) then buying a media hub is around 199.99, then free wi-fi enabled system 59.99.

When you think about it like that the PS3 should be priced at a generous $669.99. Getting it for 300 IS A STEAL. PERIOD!

[evrfighter]

"When you think about it like that the PS3 should be priced at a generous $669.99"

LOL Sony would have cut the gaming division a long time ago if they went about it the way you just did.

[Anon1974]

I already have a 60 GB PS3, and it's only ever seen one PS2 game in it, God of War 2. Still, I'll never claim about Sony putting new features in their products.

[F3NIX DX]

reported as SPAM

[mfwahwah]

@Marcelles25

Woah woah woah. I'm a diehard Sony fan. I don't have a 60gb because I couldn't afford a 60gb. Ya dig me?

[MNicholas]

Very unlikely. The trouble is emulating the PS2's graphics synthesizer and it's massively multipass rendering. If they can emulate that on the Cell then expect PS3 graphics to improve even further since Cell would be able to add all kinds of alpha effects.

Theoretically anything is possible with clever enough programming but it's just unlikely.

[uie4rhig]

not precisely.. the Emotion Engine (PS2's CPU) and the Graphics Synthesizer (PS2's GPU) was included in the ORIGINAL US and Japan launch 60GB version, by the time the 60GB came to the EU, they removed the Emotion Engine from the EU 60GB version, they left the Graphics Synthesizer in that model. The Emotion Engine was left to be software emulated, which meant that, while many PS2 games could be played on the PS3, there were a few that didn't work at all and some that played a bit jerky. They did the same with the US 80 GB that came shortly after the EU 60GB launch SKU. Now both these models have been discontinued and all SKU's were left without either Graphics Synthesizer or Emotion Engine.
it is exactly what MNicholas (above) said. It is highly unlikely without clever programming cause fact is, emulating a GPU is harder than emulating a CPU.

now my point is that the Emotion Engine has been emulated in the EU 60GB version and US 80GB version (not sure which version in japan). yet again, that patent is NOTHING new, the most that it is, is that it is a patent that has been filed of current technology and not forthcoming technology!

[FragMnTagM]

Well what games work then? I have the 40gb Spiderman 3 bundle and that one does not play PS2 games. I have tried GOW, GTA, and a few others and could not get any of them to play.

Am I missing something here?

[Marcelles25]

.......ya kinda

but any way i dont care about backwards compatibility its nice to have but i hardly use any of my ps2 games except GOD OF WAR

[Gorgon]

Hum....no. There have been something like 4 Sony patents during the last three years regarding EE emulation. More, there haven't been a single one refering to RS emulation. Siliconera couldn't even distinguish between EE and RS chips in their article. So much for quality journalism.

It would be great if true, but this "Sony insider" is almost certainly BS.

[JockamoTwo]

...i just hope they can at least pull off backwards compatibility...

[Pennywise]

Funny... I put a PS2 game in my 60gig PS3 and it looks better than it does on a PS2. To me, thats upscaling... but I'm sure for a person like you that will have one bubble in 3 days on your 10th account... its not.

[Livenow]

the early adopters got full backwards compatibility. I think some of the 80gbs do limited bc. With PSN showing Sony that they can make money off of old games, I guess they're going to give us BC so we can purchase some PS2 games.

I would buy Ico in a heartbeat.

[deeznuts]

I've got the original PS3, and have full BC. But only games I played were GOW since those were made recent enough to look decent. Everything else really looks like shat.

[JockamoTwo]

...that they cannot buy a 60 GB PS3.

Why do you guys use that as an argument? Sony discontinued that version.

It only serves to make you look like a douchebag for rubbing it into the noses of the people who are unable to purchase one.

Well, IIIIII have a 60 GB PS3, so *gna-gna-gna...

I've said it before and I'll say it again, it was a sh!t move for Sony to discontinue that model.

[Rainstorm81]

they did it to cut costs. PS3 once upon a time was 600 bucks. People are crying now for a price drop and at best you can get one for $400. If they didnt cut the BC the first price drop wouldve came alot later, but back then no one cared about BC the price just was too high.

But no matter what sony does people will critize. People with 60 GB PS3 just feel happy this dosent affect them. Although the 60 gb has the most problems mine broke twice.

[Pennywise]

All of those crybabies should of bought one instead of forcing Sony to drop all of the cool extra features.

When it comes to Sony, you get what you ask for. People wanted cheaper, they got cheaper.

Now they want BC - It looks like they will have BC.

Only people looking like "douchebags"(you said it) is you with that avatar and attitude. There is no need for it.

[dalibor]

Sony took out the extra features b/c to many people were b*tchen about the price. Imagine if nobody complained about the price of the Ps3, could there have been a Ps3 model with the EE still intact? Who knows. What Sony should have done is have two models, 1 with less features & no bc(for ppl who just want to play Ps3 games only) & the other model with all of the features like the 60gig. Cant wait to be able to get some Ps2 games like Ico(as mentioned), the Bouncer, SH2, Black, TMblack, GOW, FF11, Socom3, NFS:underground, GT4, MG2/3, SOTC, Timesplitters and others I can't ponder of.

[JockamoTwo]

wait a sec... that's what Microsoft did! They have a version with all the features and they have a dumbed down version that's cheaper!

It's a great model. Let's hope Sony follows it next gen...

[dalibor]

Sony & MS should have had just one model from the get go. I am I the only one who prefers just one model(unless its slimline). Even I got confused at one point on which console had what features lol. Too many reversions.

JockamoTwo
Sony should have done this too imo, to late now, even if Sony did do this it would start bs wars or ppl would be saying Sony copied off of MS. But wouldn't it be better if the 360 & Ps3 just had one model like the previous generations? We shall see what that slimline Ps3 has in store for us costumers & gamers.

[JockamoTwo]

Yeah, it would be better if they had only one model to choose from; or at least simpler. I think one thing about this gen is that the opposing companies are really trying to "out think" each other in terms of marketing and distribution.

I guess I would prefer ms and sony to use the resources allocated towards building new skus into making one really amazingly awesome one.

[Isis06]

Sony did, but the prize was considered to high so they striped it (stupid move) and gave every one a gimp model that sold better.
So they made more gimps and they sold too...

My opinion is that they should have kept the 60.gb version on the market as a Premium product but I guess they just wanted to squeeze the last buck out of the PS2 before they give it up.

[Rabid Hamster]

I'd have loved a 60Gb, but living in Australia with the ridiculously overinflated prices for any electronics it would have cost me close to $1000 Australian. Then since it wasn't a PAL release i would of had to get it converted and the power too.

I don't care how good a deal it was for the American audience that is still over the top for us here. Our pricing level is still a lot higher than US or UK as i understand it.

In short Pennywise & others not everyone had that option.

[JockamoTwo]

I feel sorry for you aussies...that's a ridiculous amount of money. I hope all is solved here with a firmware update, then you can enjoy all the ps2 games you want. :)

[odisho68]

i doubt this is happening and i will be skeptical until Sony holds a press conference and announces this themselves...even though i have the 80 gig motorstorm pack and i have no need for backwards compatibility this would be huge among newer ps3 adopters

[iHEARTboobs]

I have the same 80gig. Never really used it to play any PS2 games though. But if this is true then it's good for those that want it.

[lagoonalight]

this would take a team of dedicated people a while to do

idk, if it's legit I have an 80gb already idc

but if it isn't does anybody care THAT much

who cannot go buy the 80gb that are still available

[akaFullMetal]

i have to the 60 gig launch version, and to be honest, I never use ps2 games on it, I only want to use ps3 games. I think a small handful of people out there would use it, but the majority wouldn't.

[Lowlife]

I've actually played a lot more PS2-games than PS3-titles on my PS3 :). I bought the 60GB-model as well since I never had a PS or PS2. I've played a total of four PS3 games and about 15 PS2-titles :)

Thanks a LOT for the BC, which was one of my main reasons for actually getting a PS3 at all.

[DeepInterludium]

There will never be full backwards compatibility through software. Only chance is a partial BC like Microsoft had with the 360 emulating Xbox 1.

[inStereo]

exactly how?

[DeepInterludium]

The PS2 had embedded DRAM with the bandwidth of 48 GB/s fastest available memory on the PS3 is 22.5 GB/s. Making it impossible to do accurate emulation of every game without a hardware solution like in the original PS3s.

[Sarick]

Doesn't the PS3 have a faster processor and more ram to render more frames? The thing about GFX cards is how big the frame buffer is to reduce the overhead. After all wasn't the PS2 ram only like 4 megabytes? LOL, yea I said megabytes.

One thing that I fail to understand is how are these low end PC's emulating the PS2 so well? If they can emulate games without a true GPU then what's stopping the PS3. Like you mentioned that fast ram.

Something doesn't fit well in these arguments. I don't have to be a genius to see it.

[Baka-akaB]

I'm not holding my breath , i was much more expecting re-release of ps2 games through PSN store at some point .

Besides if they dont make the emu region free or with a region selection , it's still a problem for people with imports

[JonnyBigBoss]

What will this do exactly? Allow for PS2 game downloads?

[crillyconlig]

i dont believe the article because its inacurate, but i realy want BC, havnt a ps2 anymore and would like to play old mgs, GOW's and ico/SOC

[Karum]

I'll believe it when I see it, although I'm certain we'll get full BC at some point.

[taurus1]

I agree, I only play PS3 games. Only used it twice.

Also, as someone pointed out this is only half the equation and there is nothing new about this. They stil havent started emulating the GS(graphics synthesizer) chip of the PS2.

[zootang]

I loved the fact i could play persona4 without having to go out and buy a ps2. I know a few people who would of bought that game if the ps3 had BC

Bubbles!

[Lowlife]

And the game was awesome :)

[Fishy Fingers]

I wonder if backwards compatibility also has something to do with PSN PS2 titles. Surely if they were to upload PS2 titles onto the PSN each would have to be made backward combatible individually to run on each PS3 SKU. Where as if all SKUs had backward compatibility "built in" They could just upload them easy as pie :) Pie...

Just a thought.

[Makidian]

Me thinks if this is true and they are going to release it between now and Gamescon, they should announce it around the time of June NPD, and other monthly numers, start coming out. It would maximize the impact between now and then and bolster sales further if they announce the Slim at Gamescon.

But then again it is Sony and they tend to do things as backward as possible....

[blazbleu]

Yes! I almost forked out $100 for a PS2 just to play Persona 4!

[meetajhu]

My PS3 is already backwards compatible. All i need is to remove the Region protection!

[Teabag_Titan]

if Sony implements this feature, i predict sales will shoot.

[Rowsdower]

R4G

rumors 4 gamers

the top 3 stories today are 1 opinion and 2 rumors

that sounds more like a celeb tabloid that a news magazine

[EternalMesh]

I never owned a ps2 unfortunately I was a nintendo gamer up until a few months ago. There came a time when I had a console and no good games were out, or coming out in the near future. If I have a console I should at least have one good game to play. It was time to go next gen (and screw that 'next gen controls' bulls***. I bought into that too, but Until I experience 1:1 controls the wiimote will be a gimmick in my eyes.) Sony converted me. Now I have too many games to beat (i will eventually.) Drastic change. Anyways my point is a return of BC would be prime. I'd love to hop on some Shadow of the colossus. and DarthV72 and whoever else...you know theres a display setting to turn on ps2 upscaling and smoothing right? With that on the games are much better looking. Make sure its on.

[darthv72]

I have checked all my settings but some games just dont look right (GoW) when trying to match the same settings I have using the ps2. The widescreen needs to be off when playing through the ps3 (set to widescreen) and progressive gives a funny (ghost like) double shadow.

When playing rockband ps2 on the ps3, the mic didnt work. Playing on a real ps2 it was fine and looked correct in widescreen. Same with the god games. Widescreen and progressive look fine. I just dont understand. SotC looks perfect played in widescreen/progressive on my ps3. I have since basically gone back to using the ps2 for ps1/2 games. I only play ps3 games on the ps3..oh and ps1 games i dl from psn on ps3/psp.

[Cunnin-English]

Sony would be onto something if they released PS2 games through the Playstation Store..

[Vip3r]

Sony could earn a bucket load of cash from PS2 downloads.

[FF7numbaone]

Yay time to play some jrpgs from the ps2 era.

[d_dogg2007]

Hey guess how many of my old ps2 games I have played on my 60g ps3?? 0!!! Jesus why play ps2 games that I have already played when I have killzone 2, resistance 2 and much more plus a fully integrated online experience to play with?? Let it go with this backwards compatibility the reason why Sony took it out is because no one was playing with it!! They are prolly gonna release this later on in the lifecycle when ps2 games become classics like the ps1 on the store. Dam!! play some COD4 and shut up already! Xbox doesn't even have any and their not complaining.

[SuperStrokey1123]

Well i missed the ps2 games as i was a GC owner last gen. I bought a PS2 a few weeks ago and i have picked up a few of the games but to get some of rarer and hard to find ones isnt easy. If they put them on PSN and had BC on the ps3 i would in heaven myself.

[4pocalyps3]

the same reason people play super mario world nowadays on their snes, or ocarina of time and such. because there are classics on the ps2 that some people would love to play again. me being one of them since i have never had the chance to play sotc :(

[SuperStrokey1123]

Hmm i wonder if thats what the last few firmware updates have been about? The whole "Increasing compatibility and playback" stuff. Would make sense i guess.

Hope it allows for upscaling and AA to get rid of some jaggies

[green-cigarettes]

well fortunately for me, every PS2 game i wanted to play on my 60GB launch PS3 worked really good.

[ikral]

I dont really need backwards compatibility for PS3. I actually love to turn on my PS2 from time to time, not to mention that this is sparing disc reader on PS3. But this function will surely help to sell more PS3-s, so i hail to that.

[poeo]

this is interesting. cant wait to find out how it all plays out...

[Britney Spears]

Don't care, already have my 60 gig still. As long as Sony doesn't forget to include BC on PS4 too.

[MetalGearBear]

if u want PS3 really bad!!!!
BUY PS3!!!!! LOL!!!

[JD_Shadow]

You know, I wonder if this was why Sony refused to readd the BC in the later models: they were waiting for that patent to be officially official before going ahead.

Yes, I know this is just a rumor, and we don't know the cred of the original source, but keep in mind that this was a rumor, though in another version, that has been going on for a few days now, and Sony has yet to deny it (and they are usually REAL quick to deny something). If we don't hear anything within, let's say, the next 12 hrs. or so, it would be a safe bet to say there's something to this rumor.

[infamous_27]

Geez I hate these "rumor" articles..

[teh-panda]

o plz plz plz plz give us backwards for ppl who don't have it. I got the 80gb and never owned a PS2 so this would be great for me.

[hakis86]

And let it read discs..
If this is BS someone has to DIE :(

[typikal82]

Full PS3 backwards compatibility? So we'll finally be able to play all those old PS3 games on our PS3s? YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!

[dustgavin]

Ha!

[meni12321]

yheeeeeeeee

[Bebedora]

This article is abit off. The PS4 isn't on the market yet. But it just might have PS3 bc in it. <jk>

[mistajeff]

Man this would be so awesome. My 80 has trouble emulating some games.. Jak 1 and Black are two that I never played last gen but bought after swapping my PS2 for the 3 and they don't do so hot. Basically unplayable after a certain point. An interesting thing I noticed though, my friend has a 60 and I went over to his place and brought Uncharted with me.. the load times were noticeably longer. Very interesting... though it's likely more to do with how many people smoke a massive number of cigs and joints at his place right in front of the thing, looking in its direction, hence blowing all the smoke directly towards it..

[Darkskyx]

sorry if I sound stupid for saying this but...I already have an 80gig ps3 no BC compatible and was wondering...if this is true will i have to buy another ps3 just to get BC for ps2 games? sorry again just wondering

[JD_Shadow]

I don't think so, but I could be wrong. It was reported that the PS3 already has the necessary programming for the Cell to emulate the EE (or something to that effect). It just needs to be "unlocked" somehow. My guess is they locked it because of the patent deal (they didn't want anyone knowing HOW they did it and steal the patent possibility from them beforehand).

In other words, your PS3 is more than likely already BC-ready. Sony just has to give the system the green light to let you use it.

EDIT: Unrelated to your post, but just as an update, it's been about 6 or 7 hours since Gamezine posted this story, and 3 hrs. since this was published on N4G. This makes about 5 or so hours left for Sony to say something about this before we can declare that there is something to this rumor, if we're going by my rule above.

[red2tango]

I got an 80GB BC PS3 and I don't play PS2 games. Yes it's a nice feature, but you have a PS3 to play PS3 games!

[ColossiSlayer]

4 PS2 game I play on my 60Gigger
Shadow Of The Colossus
ICO
FF12
Indigo Prophecy
If you never BEATEN these game, not just played this is EXTREMELY important to you....
Besides that I have 17 PS3 games, & like 5 or so PSN games, trust me even with BC you won't play PS2 games that much...

[Kamikaze135]

If it's full BC for the older 80GB model which can't play certain PS2 game? I'd be...well, I'd be pretty damn pissed. I want to play some PS2 games on my PS3.

[Dogswithguns]

Sounds good. every PS3 owners should be very happy then....

[ReBurn]

So now that BC may be coming back it suddenly matters again? I have a 60GB with hardware BC, so I'm not all that concerned about this. But so many have been saying that it isn't necessary and that people can just buy a PS2 I have to wonder why there's so much buzz around this.

[DirtyLary]

This could bring some life back to Socom 2.

So many are screaming for it as a psn download.

[stonecold3]

ps3 60 gb at at launch and i hardley play ps2 games on my machine now only my ps3 games

[J@D]

Hmmmm, I'm not like for this since I'm a 60GB owner... but I'm glad for the not full PS2 compatibility owner out there... gimme some Dark Cloud on PSN and then we talk for real Sony! XD

[Tunerboy8732]

I just recently upgraded the 40gb HDD in my ps3 to a 500gb hard drive so even if the ps2 games was download only via ps store that wouldnt hurt me either.Im really looking forward to this.

[F3NIX DX]

i won't believe until i see it...so bring it on sony!

[madpuppy]

to an already great system I am all for it!

[dustgavin]

Wow. Sony is going to bring out it's heavy guns
1. Full software BC
2. Price drop to $299
3. Cloud
4. All the upcoming first party titles
5. Slim version
6. Motion controllers
7. 3d gaming

And it is just now in it's 3rd year.

[PS360PCROCKS]

That would be glorious!

[Meryl]

^^yeh hopefully sony will eventually teach ms a lesson or two and send them back to what they do best - making shoddy software for pc's lol just joking, i really hope this all works out for sony i really want to see them above xbox because they deserve it with all the effort they have put in and they care more about the industry than ms does

[KilZoneGeneralStrife]

Im still hopeful.my 80gig aint got BC. . .ps2 broke,not buying another.with their disc read error problem killing my ps2 slim.

[John Kratos]

I'm just glad that I might be able to retire my PS2. BC is something that I've been wanting on the PS3 for awhile now.

[Da l33t Monkey]

The PS2 games worth playing are already supported?

RE4, DMC3, MGS2&3, GoW1&2, SotC, and many more...... what more do you guys need from the PS2 library :O

[knightoftears]

I really don't think that with the PS2 and it's games still selling as well as they are that Sony will do the backwards compatible thing fully just yet. Sure initial model PS3s like the 60GB model had it, but I think Sony realized after the PS3 was released that alot more people still bought the PS2 because of price and massive game library, so they took the backwards compatibilty out of the PS3. Now, a couple of years later they are thinking that more and more people are moving over to the PS3, so until the PS2 numbers no longer satisfy, they won't allow the current production PS3 models to be backwards compatible. It's amazing that the PS2 is still the most played console over all next gen systems. I thought the Wii might take it with most played, but I guess not...lol.

[tee_bag242]

My 60 gig has seen hell ps2 games. Street Fighter Anthologies. All the tekkens, plus im still going to get Yakuza 1 & 2 and play them before 3 is realesed :)

I wish 2 player games could be played via online

[VicHyper]

If they add full bc to all ps3s, the original bc 60gbs will likely drop in value; maybe I should sell mine soon >.> .

[rjackson1]

PS3 rumours looks like PS3 Anal,in other words, nasty and smelly.Gots to love these rumor articles they are funny.