When will Sony learn?

[justjohn]

Sure, they will bring it out for $400 here, but you just lost access to all of the PS2 titles. What a joke! They got rid of one of the major reasons for buying a PS3.

One of the worst kept secrets in the games industry has finally been officially announced. After a flurry of rumours and leaks that a new 40GB SKU of the PlayStation 3 would be coming, Sony has finally confirmed the speculation is, in fact, no longer speculation.
The new 40GB version will debut in the UK on October 10 and is "no longer backwards compatible with PlayStation 2 titles,"
The 40GB PS3 in the wild.
In a statement, Sony said of the lack of backwards compatibility that it reflected, "both the reduced emphasis placed on this feature amongst later purchasers of PS3, as well as the availability of a more extensive lineup of PS3-specific titles."
When asked about PSOne games, Sony told GameSpot, "the backwards compatibility of PSOne titles is achieved through software and the vast majority of PSOne titles are backwards compatible with the new PS3."

[Modern Folly]

Re: When will Sony learn?

Sure, they will bring it out for $400 here, but you just lost access to all of the PS2 titles. What a joke! They got rid of one of the major reasons for buying a PS3.

It's pretty sad that's one of the main reasons to buy a PS3. I remember this time last year, so optimistic, so hopeful, so fangirlish for Sony. :[

[justjohn]

Re: When will Sony learn?

It's pretty sad that's one of the main reasons to buy a PS3. I remember this time last year, so optimistic, so hopeful, so fangirlish for Sony. :[

Well, unfortunately, the powerhouse games still aren't here and the selection that has been out is pretty weak. Anything third party that I was interested in, I already bought for 360.

Most games are also more enjoyable with the rumble feature in the controller (that I will have to buy next year). The PS3 controllers feel dead after so many years of having rumble as standard.

[justjohn]

Re: When will Sony learn?

From a post on playstation.com forums.

Hey guys, it's really simple how removing PS2 BC saves money: The 80GB PS3 with software emulation still uses a PS2 graphics card on the actual motherboard of the system. The software is only emulation the PS2 CPU (better known as the Emotion Engine). So now they have completely removed ALL PS2 chips from the PS3.

So essentially the 60GB PS3 has the PS2 CPU as well as the PS2 GPU. I hope this clears it up for everbody cuz there has been confusion on this issue everywhere (N4G, Kotaku, IGN, etc)

If this is true, it also means there isn't a chance of EVER getting backward compatibility. They could have at least sold it as an upgrade to cover the costs.

[cerpin taxt]

Re: When will Sony learn?

I don't know if this is true or not, but someone told me one of the newer PS3 models will not play blue-rays.

What a jip that it's not backward though. That's always a top consideration of mine when thinking about buying a next gen system. It was a huge reason I went ahead and bought a Wii. I don't throw away all the old games I love just because I have a fancy new system with one to four worthy titles.

[Modern Folly]

Re: When will Sony learn?

Well, unfortunately, the powerhouse games still aren't here and the selection that has been out is pretty weak. Anything third party that I was interested in, I already bought for 360.

Most games are also more enjoyable with the rumble feature in the controller (that I will have to buy next year). The PS3 controllers feel dead after so many years of having rumble as standard.

The only exclusive title (out of many) that I remember yet to be released is MGS4, pretty depressing. I remember an interview with Jack Tretton in which he said that he felt that the rumble feature added nothing to the gaming experience. What a tool.

[justjohn]

Re: When will Sony learn?

I don't know if this is true or not, but someone told me one of the newer PS3 models will not play blue-rays.

What a jip that it's not backward though. That's always a top consideration of mine when thinking about buying a next gen system. It was a huge reason I went ahead and bought a Wii. I don't throw away all the old games I love just because I have a fancy new system with one to four worthy titles.

I doubt its true. The main reason is for Blu-Ray is space. If they made a PS3 that didn't use Blu=Ray, they would make it obsolete once REALLY large games start coming out...

Wait a minute, they've already obsoleted two systems in the first year of launch!



:lol:

"both the reduced emphasis placed on this feature amongst later purchasers of PS3, as well as the availability of a more extensive lineup of PS3-specific titles."

Ok...

I may be able to see this as a reason...

When asked about PSOne games, Sony told GameSpot, "the backwards compatibility of PSOne titles is achieved through software and the vast majority of PSOne titles are backwards compatible with the new PS3."

but then why make it backwards compatable to the PS1? It has to do with the hardware...

Without the graphics card, it can't run the games.

[justjohn]

Re: When will Sony learn?

The only exclusive title (out of many) that I remember yet to be released is MGS4, pretty depressing. I remember an interview with Jack Tretton in which he said that he felt that the rumble feature added nothing to the gaming experience. What a tool.

I think if they say it enough, they may be able to convince people. From my personal experience, it adds A LOT to the experience.

MGS4 is one of the few games I am actually looking forward to. Ratchet and Clank also, but as great as that game is, I don't want to pay $60 bucks for it.

[justjohn]

Re: When will Sony learn?

GameDaily BIZ also contacted SCEE spokesman Nick Sharples who told us, "We have made clear on many occasions that our priority is on developing innovative new features and services for PS3 and not on backwards compatibility. The 40GB model no longer contains any elements of the PS2 chip set which powered backwards compatibility in previous models, and is therefore only compatible with PS one titles."

http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=17683

BC is done. Thank GOD I bought a 60GB. My PS2 just fried out and I would hate to have to buy another one or throw my games away.

[cerpin taxt]

Re: When will Sony learn?

The only exclusive title (out of many) that I remember yet to be released is MGS4, pretty depressing. I remember an interview with Jack Tretton in which he said that he felt that the rumble feature added nothing to the gaming experience. What a tool.

There's also Eldar Scrolls and the 2 plannd Final Fantasy titles for us RPG nerds. But Eldar Scrolls is the only one out right now. So I can wait awhile for the price to keep dropping. But if important features on it keep dropping too, and if all they have to sell are the inferior models, then forget it. Final Fantasy and blue ray are the biggest reasons I really want one. Get rid of the blue ray, the backward compatibily and everything else and I'm not going to pay $400 just for 3 or 4 games.

[Modern Folly]

Re: When will Sony learn?

There's also Eldar Scrolls and the 2 plannd Final Fantasy titles for us RPG nerds. But Eldar Scrolls is the only one out right now. So I can wait awhile for the price to keep dropping. But if important features on it keep dropping too, and if all they have to sell are the inferior models, then forget it. Final Fantasy and blue ray are the biggest reasons I really want one. Get rid of the blue ray, the backward compatibily and everything else and I'm not going to pay $400 just for 3 or 4 games.

How could I forget about the FFXIII series. Well two games aren't going to sell me this system, and without the backwards compatibility? Forget it.

[justjohn]

Re: When will Sony learn?

Still leaves me out, I don't play RPG's...

[justjohn]

Re: When will Sony learn?

gaaack!
OK, IS IT A PRICE ADJUSTMENT OR A CLEARANCE THIS TIME? I HOPE THEY GET THEIR STORY STRAIGHT!

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6181252...ewstop;title;1

For those who either don't want the stripped-down 40GB PS3 or simply can't wait until November 2, SCEA also announced it is cutting the price of its 80GB model to just $499 in the US. (The 80GB console is not currently available in Europe.) Though the PS3 remains the most expensive game console on the market, today's announcement puts both models within reach of the $349 Xbox 360 Pro and the $449 Xbox 360 Elite.

[Soulquarian]

Re: When will Sony learn?

lol, I read that this morning. I'm a little closer to picking one up, but still gonna wait a little more.

[justjohn]

Re: When will Sony learn?

lol, I read that this morning. I'm a little closer to picking one up, but still gonna wait a little more.

Don't do it! Biggest waste of money I've ever made for now.

[Chernabog]

Re: When will Sony learn?

Don't do it! Biggest waste of money I've ever made for now.

Actually I use my ps3 every day -- but as I've said about a gajillion times before in this forum it is NOT for the ps3 games, of which I have zero.

I use it for:
a) upscaling DVDs via the HDMI input. I no longer use another DVD player. DVDs look fantastic on the ps3 -- my roommate and I compared our old player to the Ps3 and there was a GIANT leap in picture quality.
b) Bluray in 1080p via the HDMI input (which needless to say looks stunning... Planet Earth on Bluray is breathtaking).
c) Ps1 games
d) Ps2 games (never owned either system before, so I'm playing catch up... and they've worked out the issues with smoothing/upscaling ps1/ps2 games so they look the best they're gonna look)
e) Downloading trailers and demos for games and movies in 1080p Hi-def for free via the Sony Store.

I did play the Rachet & Clank demo the other day which is both REALLY pretty and very fun. I think the Ps3 Home feature looks amazingly cool from the video.

But I understand not wanting to buy one for the Ps3 games, because I don't have one for the ps3 games either. That just seems like a nice little bonus that I'll be able to rent or buy once something really special comes out. Sony, by this move, seems to be saying someone should buy the Ps3 FOR the ps3 games... and I most certainly would not do that at this time.

If I didn't have a HDTV I would not have bought one.

If I had owned a ps2 I would not have bought one.

If I had owned a DVD HDMI upscaler I may not have bought one.

If the Ps3 was not the cheapest Bluray player on the market I may not have bought one.

I'm not sure what Sony's solution is. Once the games are out there, the gamers will come, but unless you, as a consumer, are in the type of situation I was in, I can't wholeheartedly recommend one, and certainly not for the games. I love mine because it fills all of my home entertainment needs. It is a great way to show off my television and catch up on all those ps1/2 games that I never got to play all of these years (currently, I am halfway thru FFIX )

[flynnibus]

Re: When will Sony learn?

I wonder if the continued demand for PS2 squeezed their supply of the PS2 chips.. and if that is part of the reason to cut back?

[OogieBoogie]

Re: When will Sony learn?

I'm not suprised that Sony is doing this. Just look at how they handled EQ.

[justjohn]

Re: When will Sony learn?

I wonder if the continued demand for PS2 squeezed their supply of the PS2 chips.. and if that is part of the reason to cut back?

In what case? They left the chips out of the 40GB to lower the retail point.

[flynnibus]

Re: When will Sony learn?

In what case? They left the chips out of the 40GB to lower the retail point.

Because chip fab is insanely expensive and the continued draw for the PS2 probably was not expected.

The per chip cost is not that high - its the lead time and bulk that you must buy that is expensive.

I'm actually more suprised Sony hasn't tried to force the market by stop producing PS2s... that would force people to spend more.

Sony is almost their own worst enemy right now