Backwards Compability (Or why gaming sucks, period)

[Redd the Sock]

I admit it can seem perplexing. I don't use a lot of features of the PS3. I don't show pictures. I don't play music. I have watched one blu ray movie in 4 years. I don't use the internet browser unless I have no alternative. On my 3DS, again, I don't use the browser, or the camera, or several other features (like the 3D). Yet I'm seen as whiny and entitled for wanting a feature that might actually appeal to gamers rather than the gimicky things made to make systems seem like all in one entertainment systems.

It took me a while to understand why this happens. Some people just see games as disposable entertainment. While we like to go back to old favorites, others, it's play it, beat it, move on to the next newer and shinier object. Still, others jump at the opportunity to double dip into re-releases and collections for HD graphics and trophies. And sadly, as a business, these are people companies would like to cater to: people that buy frequently and re-buy similar items. You make more money off people that only play a game for two weeks and then want a new one than from someone that can get months out of it and then go back to it later. The used game market killed the idea of companies selling games over the long term, and financial interests have become (like movies) solely focused on the big first week sales.

I don't like it any more than you do, but it's the nature of the market right now. I'm hoping for better in the digital age. At the very lest, make the option for software emulation available. My Game cube may not have played game boy games, but I did buy the attachment that let it, and I'd follow though on similar items for other systems.

 

[DracoSuave]

Step Five: Dump the BIOS, check emulation forums for details.

This part is actually illegal.

It voids your warranty, but it is not illegal.

The BIOS is copyrighted software.

DMCA's pretty clear on this.

DMCA doesnt have a problem with you copying software of products you own for your personal use if I recall.

Just means you dont go dumping it online

The courts have previously ruled this isn't fair use. You are not always permitted to keep archival copies, which is why there's a provision about unauthorized backups of software particularily where the distributor makes it clear in the EULA that those backups are frowned upon, and provides no means to copy those backups.

 

[Greni]

There is one solution...

...buy a PC

Eh . . . backwards compatability is a constantly struggle on the PC requiring work-arounds and purpose-created environments (ie DOSBOX). You CAN do it for most games, but it's still a pain in the ass.

MFW I can run Carmageddon (1997) in windows 7.

Spoiler: U

MFW Doom (1993) has been source ported to run on later OS.

Spoiler: MAD

MFW you can easily find step-by-step instructions on how to play old games on windows 7 and install and use DOSbox.

Spoiler: BRO?

Took me 10 seconds to google: http://www.pcworld.com/article/239349/how_to_play_classic_pc_games_in_windows_7.html

 

[lSHaDoW-FoXl]

I think this above all things demonstrates on how the gaming industry just continues taking a step back because a bunch of spoiled brats can't live without their pacifiers.

Interesting choice of words. Perhaps you'd have better luck with your pacifier if you took your foot out of your mouth.

I don't believe I attacked you in anyway way, so I don't get where that came from. I don't like the game industry, and I've got my reasons. Countless forms of DRM, on disk dlc, publishers closing studios like mad, and the poor dears never stop crying about piracy and used games when they basically steal intellectual property, profit off their games more than once, (I'd like to see a movie profit through DLC and DRM each time it's repurchased.)But fine, maybe I'm the one that's being a cry baby. Maybe we're all better off with DRM, on disk dlc, legislation's against used game sales and publishers that close down studios - even after - they made tons of money off of them. But above all, I can't have my foot in my mouth when I'm too busy standing up against bull shit.

No no no no no, DRM, On-disk DLC, the closing of studios, the campaign against used game sales, these are things worth getting up in arms about, but he you are whining about backwards compatibility and suggesting that others join you. BTW backwards compatibility in consoles was only introduced to consoles in the last console generation and here you are thinking you deserve it like some kind of royal prince. On top of that you accuse those in the industry of being spoiled brats. Seems like a case of the pot calling the kettle black to me.

Complaining is the only way things get done. It's true, backwards compatibility isn't up to the same level as DRM, on-disk DLC or what have you, but that still doesn't mean this isn't an issue at all. If Xbox didn't have backwards compatibility I wouldn't be complaining, but I am because Sony isn't. You know, the same people that had compatibility for the PS2 and heavily marketed their system in having it. But furthermore, I think it's just a bit ridiculous that we're constantly forced to rebuy something - even if we keep it - meanwhile they're always expected to own something even after they sell it. If we say that it's all right for them to do this, then we're probably doing nothing more but digging a grave for backwards compatibility. After all, why would they have it? All it would do is get in the way of their precious online shops. Why bother giving the people the ability to play FF7 on a PS3 when you could just force them to buy it a second time.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

I think this above all things demonstrates on how the gaming industry just continues taking a step back because a bunch of spoiled brats can't live without their pacifiers.

Interesting choice of words. Perhaps you'd have better luck with your pacifier if you took your foot out of your mouth.

I don't believe I attacked you in anyway way, so I don't get where that came from. I don't like the game industry, and I've got my reasons. Countless forms of DRM, on disk dlc, publishers closing studios like mad, and the poor dears never stop crying about piracy and used games when they basically steal intellectual property, profit off their games more than once, (I'd like to see a movie profit through DLC and DRM each time it's repurchased.)But fine, maybe I'm the one that's being a cry baby. Maybe we're all better off with DRM, on disk dlc, legislation's against used game sales and publishers that close down studios - even after - they made tons of money off of them. But above all, I can't have my foot in my mouth when I'm too busy standing up against bull shit.

No no no no no, DRM, On-disk DLC, the closing of studios, the campaign against used game sales, these are things worth getting up in arms about, but he you are whining about backwards compatibility and suggesting that others join you. BTW backwards compatibility in consoles was only introduced to consoles in the last console generation and here you are thinking you deserve it like some kind of royal prince. On top of that you accuse those in the industry of being spoiled brats. Seems like a case of the pot calling the kettle black to me.

Complaining is the only way things get done. It's true, backwards compatibility isn't up to the same level as DRM, on-disk DLC or what have you, but that still doesn't mean this isn't an issue at all. If Xbox didn't have backwards compatibility I wouldn't be complaining, but I am because Sony isn't. You know, the same people that had compatibility for the PS2 and heavily marketed their system in having it. But furthermore, I think it's just a bit ridiculous that we're constantly forced to rebuy something - even if we keep it - meanwhile they're always expected to own something even after they sell it. If we say that it's all right for them to do this, then we're probably doing nothing more but digging a grave for backwards compatibility. After all, why would they have it? All it would do is get in the way of their precious online shops. Why bother giving the people the ability to play FF7 on a PS3 when you could just force them to buy it a second time.

Well unfortunately you are right about one thing, complaining does seem to be the only way to get things done; as sad as that is. ¬__¬ However I still think you've got your priorities screwed up more than a little bit. As you yourself mentioned there's draconian DRM schemes, on-disk DLC, studios being milked dry for their IPs and then closed down, etc. Backwards compatibility should be at about the center of the Earth on the list of things to be upset about. Besides, no one is forcing you to rebuy anything; you choose to rebuy them and if that is the choice you make then you have no one to blame but yourself. As others have said, there's nothing stopping you from digging out the original copy and the system it's on and playing it if the urge hits you. Oh sure it's slightly less convenient, but you'll have to excuse me while I pull out the world's smallest violin.

 

[lSHaDoW-FoXl]

I think this above all things demonstrates on how the gaming industry just continues taking a step back because a bunch of spoiled brats can't live without their pacifiers.

Interesting choice of words. Perhaps you'd have better luck with your pacifier if you took your foot out of your mouth.

I don't believe I attacked you in anyway way, so I don't get where that came from. I don't like the game industry, and I've got my reasons. Countless forms of DRM, on disk dlc, publishers closing studios like mad, and the poor dears never stop crying about piracy and used games when they basically steal intellectual property, profit off their games more than once, (I'd like to see a movie profit through DLC and DRM each time it's repurchased.)But fine, maybe I'm the one that's being a cry baby. Maybe we're all better off with DRM, on disk dlc, legislation's against used game sales and publishers that close down studios - even after - they made tons of money off of them. But above all, I can't have my foot in my mouth when I'm too busy standing up against bull shit.

Snip

Snip

Well unfortunately you are right about one thing, complaining does seem to be the only way to get things done; as sad as that is. ¬__¬ However I still think you've got your priorities screwed up more than a little bit. As you yourself mentioned there's draconian DRM schemes, on-disk DLC, studios being milked dry for their IPs and then closed down, etc. Backwards compatibility should be at about the center of the Earth on the list of things to be upset about. Besides, no one is forcing you to rebuy anything; you choose to rebuy them and if that is the choice you make then you have no one to blame but yourself. As others have said, there's nothing stopping you from digging out the original copy and the system it's on and playing it if the urge hits you. Oh sure it's slightly less convenient, but you'll have to excuse me while I pull out the world's smallest violin.

I don't have my priorities backwards. Me complaining about backwards compatibility isn't going to be a detriment to any battle against DRM or on disk DLC. In fact, backwards compatibility isn't my biggest issue anyway. DRM is, actually. It's just my crusade on DRM isn't going to stop me from bitching about backwards compatibility as well. As for things being less convenient, I don't think they should be less convenient. Not ever. We're moving forward and everything is becoming simpler. The game industry, of all things, shouldn't be moving backwards in this regard. Anything we can ***** about the game industry - no matter how minor - is worth bitching about.

 

[Laser Priest]

I can't really defend it, but I find the fact that you started by saying "I bet the game industry could castrate a 14 year old and skin a dog alive and someone out there - some obsessed fan boy - would still justify it" and then proceeded to complain about what amounts to a minor inconvenience.

 

[lunavixen]

Fortunately i don't have this issue as my PS2 and PS3 are plugged in at the same time, it's only a matter of changing the TV channel for me, besides, as others have said, the removal of the "emotion chip" (PS2 Backwards Compatibility) was to bring down the base price of the PS3 as PS2 and PS3 games require different hardware to be read.

 

[KingsGambit_v1legacy]

I have both old and newer XBox, my SNES/N64 still working and my brother has a Wii which plays Gamecube and PS2 for that and PS1 games. My PC has DOS box and I have (I believe) pretty much every ROM from the 8 and 16 bit eras.

In an ideal world, I'd love a PC which can dual boot Win98 and XP on modern hardware for some older PC titles. I've never had any luck with virtualising them as I've never found a VM that can use DirectX.

I do agree with the OP however. Considering the PS3 used to be perfectly backwards compatible, removing this feature is inexcusable. The 360 has imperfect compatibility as it doesn't support everything. Surprisingly the Wii manages it just fine with Gamecube games, and more interestingly, is the only one of the current gen whose previous-gen counterpart used a different form factor media (ie. small disc instead of full size one) and entirely different controllers. Yet nintendo managed to cram two consoles into one box. I'm not including blu-ray/DVD as that's just a laser diode change.

To any who suggested that other forms of media get left behind and forgotten, such as out of print books or videos that never made it to DVD, there is one VAST difference here which makes it inexcusable. It's quite literally the difference between analogue and digital. Digital data can be copied, stored, retrieved, transferred and kept indefinitely without loss of quality. 16 and even 32 bit consoles can now be emulated in software for crying out loud. It's laziness on the part of the Big Three (or two at any rate) and bordering on milking-players-for-money by reselling old games for the newer platform when players already own them.

 

[Mr Binary]

I love backwards compatibility and I hate that companies don't seem to employ it in their consoles as of late, thus why I only ever emulate games any more. I mean yeah I could go and hook up my PS2 and play, but by the time I do that my nostalgia fever has usually faded and I end up just hooking my PS3 up again to play Blaz Blue or something.

I know that sounds like just an excuse due to laziness, but let's face it... that's what this whole argument is about; being lazy. That's why I have a bunch of emulators on my desktop, so I can be lazy and not have to get off my ass to set up a console. I love backwards compatibility as I had said, but I only love it for the sake of remaining as lazy as I am now, not for any real nostalgia purposes or anything like that.

 

[Schadrach]

Yeah, like how film companies have to offer you free DVDs of every video you bought!

More like how you can watch DVDs on that Blu-Ray player, except that it doesn't agree with your position at all...