Why is backwards compatibility such a major deal now?

[Matthew Jabour]

Back in the days of cartriges, it was pretty much impossible to make consoles BC without wasting a metric fuckload of money. Nowadays, we have these shiny little disks that could pull it off easily. It's never really been a deal breaker, but it's a pretty basic thing. Also, in this day and age, you can easily have games on 9 different systems, and just hooking them up to the same TV is basically impossible. Call it an amenity; you don't need it, but it always pisses you off when it's not there.

 

[vasiD]

Just curious on this. People are getting quite riled up over the new gen consoles, and current gen ones not being backwards compatible. This really isn't a new thing

Sony kind of tried with the PS3 at first and it failed dismally, and i'm not 100% about microsoft, but i think their attempts were pretty woeful too.

But.. since i started gaming on consoles.. i couldn't play Sega Master systems games on the megadrive, or NES games on the SNES, or SNES games the 64... etc etc, so why such a big deal now?

Just curious. I understand it would be nice and handy to have, but why is it now such a big issue?

Sony kind of tried it with the PS3 and it failed?

What in the actual fuck are you talking about? Original PS3's still go for more money than the newer versions because of their excellent BC. The only reason the feature was removed was to lower the price to compete with the 360, and frankly that's pretty shitty and was a big issue at the time. Are you confusing PS3 with 360, which gave up on making their games BC half way through because "Fuck the customers, that costs money".

It may not be a new thing, but it's a feature every platform has tried to tout since the PS2 showed that the fans really wanted it. It is really nice not having your entertainment center cluttered by multiple consoles, and the simple fact is that at launch consoles won't have a big library so BC can give earlier adopters something to enjoy.

No one said it was the standard, but people are disappointed it isn't in as there are a ton of great 360 games and no one wants to have two big brick consoles cluttering up their shit.

 

[momijirabbit]

Because everybody knows that the old games are so much better than the new games.

 

[WWmelb]

Just curious on this. People are getting quite riled up over the new gen consoles, and current gen ones not being backwards compatible. This really isn't a new thing

Sony kind of tried with the PS3 at first and it failed dismally, and i'm not 100% about microsoft, but i think their attempts were pretty woeful too.

But.. since i started gaming on consoles.. i couldn't play Sega Master systems games on the megadrive, or NES games on the SNES, or SNES games the 64... etc etc, so why such a big deal now?

Just curious. I understand it would be nice and handy to have, but why is it now such a big issue?

Sony kind of tried it with the PS3 and it failed?

What in the actual fuck are you talking about? Original PS3's still go for more money than the newer versions because of their excellent BC. The only reason the feature was removed was to lower the price to compete with the 360, and frankly that's pretty shitty and was a big issue at the time. Are you confusing PS3 with 360, which gave up on making their games BC half way through because "Fuck the customers, that costs money".

It may not be a new thing, but it's a feature every platform has tried to tout since the PS2 showed that the fans really wanted it. It is really nice not having your entertainment center cluttered by multiple consoles, and the simple fact is that at launch consoles won't have a big library so BC can give earlier adopters something to enjoy.

No one said it was the standard, but people are disappointed it isn't in as there are a ton of great 360 games and no one wants to have two big brick consoles cluttering up their shit.

Well yes it worked well, but the price point meant very few people could purchase the damn thing. Sure the price would still have eventually come down, but at launch, when your system is failing to sell, a company will do what they have to do to remain competitive. Is how it came across anyways. They tried to implement it, and from a business standpoint, which they are, it failed.

And on a side note, thanks to all the responses so far.

And another one, is the future implementation of Geikei by sony to play ps3/ps2 games via cloud hardware thingy whatsit a suitable alternative for BC (provided it's free, or even only on PSPlus accounts)? It seems like a nice idea to me, keeping the cost of the system (hopefully) in the affordable bracket, and still being able to play older games , even if maybe not straight away. I know i'll be holding onto my PS3 for dark souls regardless if nothing else lol. i can't go forever without playing that lol.

 

[Ikasury]

cause it'd be nice to not have to 're-buy' all the games i already have... not that i was expecting PS4 to have it after they pretty much said 'HA! yea no...' with the PS3 and only re-release old games they 'deem worthy' (i kinda wond DOT//:hack and Xenosaga series back -.-) only thing i got 'issue' with is the whole 'cloud thing', basically meaning if i don't got internet i can't play a game that DOES NOT NEED INTERNET -.- logic... i get clouds are the 'new thing' but yea, screw that noise, i got a ton of back up harddrives -.- i'd rather have it in SOME physical form since i can't get a bloody disc anymore that will PLAY ON MY CONSOLE!! because its not backwards compatible -.-

it'd just be more convenient for gamers, and them getting their hopes up... but if its more convenient for 'us' it means the companies aren't making more money beating that dead horse... so yea... not seeing it happen, because that'd be 'nice'~

 

[Vegosiux]

Because people are spoiled now?
Because people whine about not having space to keep their old consoles around?
Because people like to sell their old games/consoles?

I live in a tiny room, yet I can still find ways to store my old consoles/games, so honestly I don't see what reason they have to complain about no room. I also don't see the reason why someone would sell their old consoles/games. Just as I don't see the reason people would sell their books after they read them. You paid for them, why not keep them?

So...if it's not an issue to you personally it's a non-issue, and anyone who sees it as an issue is a whiny spoiled brat or something? Come on, that's just so childish.

You don't see those reasons, fine. But don't go telling people that no such reasons exists, and don't belittle them because they have such reasons.

Honestly, whenever this "Well I don't have a problem with it, what are you talking about" is brought up, I will merely reply "The fact that you have no issue with it doesn't mean anything to me, because I am not you."

 

[WeepingAngels]

PS2 could play PS1 games and THAT was a selling point.
Some PS3's could play PS1 and PS2 games and THAT was a selling point.
All PS3's could play PS1 games.
PSP could play PS1 games.
Vita can play PSP games and PS1 games.

However, now the PS4 can't even play PS1 games, not even the digital ones? That's just lazy. If you are going to use backwards compatibility as a selling point, you can expect negative reactions when you drop it.

Now for Nintendo, their handhelds have always had BC and starting with the Wii, their consoles do too. No complaints here.

Microsoft had BC for some XBOX 1 games (not to be confused with XBone). Completely dropping it is not as big a deal for them as it for Sony but it's still important given the poor hardware quality of the 360.

I traded in my DS Lite towards a 3DS because I knew I would still be able to play my games. I traded my PSP in towards a Vita because I knew I would be able to play most of my PSP games. I would trade in my PS3 to get a PS4 but since I can't do that, I will just wait a few years until it has a decent library. After all, if I can't even play my PS3 games on the PS4 while I wait for the great library, then there is no reason to buy it early.

 

[scorptatious]

Question!

Does backwards compatibility also include being able to download games from past generations, like how the PS3 allows me to download PS1 games from the PSN, or is it just physical discs?

Just curious. Because if the PS4 still allows me to download old games, I don't mind if it won't accept physical PS3 discs.

 

[Vegosiux]

The whole issue of "No Backwards Compatibility" isn't an issue as it can be simply solved with keeping your old console. Those who say they have no space? Sorry, but I will say "Bullshit" all the way to Timbuktu. Unless they live in a tiny 4ft x 4ft hovel, they have no excuse about "not having space" as there are plenty of ways to maximize storage in a tiny area. I have been doing it for years.

There isn't an issue. It isn't me not seeing an issue, there simply is no issue unless that person doesn't have the old console to begin with.

Well, I for one, have no clue what people around the world are keeping around their rooms. I don't know what stuff they own apart from their consoles. I also don't know what stuff they're more attached to than their consoles.

So I don't assume that "just because I can do it this way, everyone should". Sure, you can be efficient with storing your stuff. But there's still a limit, you don't create a dimension of hammerspace with it.

 

[WeepingAngels]

Question!

Does backwards compatibility also include being able to download games from past generations, like how the PS3 allows me to download PS1 games from the PSN, or is it just physical discs?

Just curious. Because if the PS4 still allows me to download old games, I don't mind if it won't accept physical PS3 discs.

The Vita allows you to download your PSP games that you bought from PSN.
The 3DS allows you to download your DSi games.
The Wii U allows you to download your Wii VC games (I think).

The PS4 and the XBone won't allow any of that and they won't play the discs either.

 

[Eve Charm]

The main draw of these consoles are going to be games like COD, BF4, batman, watchdog, AC4. IF it came down to it I could by all of them on the consoles I already own. If it had BC I could let it replace my other console, without it I might as well not buy it at launch.

The wii u might have 30 titles now and it had like 20 of them at launch, only about 2? exclusives since then.

I know it;s nintendo and EA isn't rushing out games, but it's gonna take just as long to develop for the new hardware, so expect a big giant paperweight when your done with the launch titles for quite a while.

 

[scorptatious]

Question!

Does backwards compatibility also include being able to download games from past generations, like how the PS3 allows me to download PS1 games from the PSN, or is it just physical discs?

Just curious. Because if the PS4 still allows me to download old games, I don't mind if it won't accept physical PS3 discs.

The Vita allows you to download your PSP games that you bought from PSN.
The 3DS allows you to download your DSi games.
The Wii U allows you to download your Wii VC games (I think).

The PS4 and the XBone won't allow any of that and they won't play the discs either.

The PS4 will allow you to buy and download PlayStation Classics and other such like you did on the PS3. You just download the games you already bought on your PS3 on PS4. Much like the Wii U VC, the PS4 online stuff will come at a later date, past its release.

Hmm. Sounds like I'll have to wait until it does get that then.

Thanks guys!

 

[WeepingAngels]

Question!

Does backwards compatibility also include being able to download games from past generations, like how the PS3 allows me to download PS1 games from the PSN, or is it just physical discs?

Just curious. Because if the PS4 still allows me to download old games, I don't mind if it won't accept physical PS3 discs.

The Vita allows you to download your PSP games that you bought from PSN.
The 3DS allows you to download your DSi games.
The Wii U allows you to download your Wii VC games (I think).

The PS4 and the XBone won't allow any of that and they won't play the discs either.

The PS4 will allow you to buy and download PlayStation Classics and other such like you did on the PS3. You just download the games you already bought on your PS3 on PS4. Much like the Wii U VC, the PS4 online stuff will come at a later date, past its release.

Last I heard, the PS4 didn't have any backward compatibility. Do you have a link?

 

[PoolCleaningRobot]

I can't deny that back-compat would have been nice but its was never a deal breaker for me. I don't quite get why backwards compatibility is such a big deal for people who already own a console they're upgrading. I do see why its a big deal for anyone planning on jumping ship though. I will say it's bullshit that they don't offer and expensive back-compat model because there are obviously people willing to buy one for the convenience

A reason I never see get brought up:
Backwards compatibility lets you lay games you missed first time round.

What are you doing Jeffers? Stop saying things I totally agree with. This is also something I would use as a defense of HD re-releases. People get all bent out of shape about them but if it wasn't for re-releases I would never have played Resident Evil 4 and Persona 3 (not without pirating anyway). There are plenty of games I haven't played this gen and if they get re-released in the future, I'd have more reason to buy them. And some games are just worth buying twice

 

[WeepingAngels]

Question!

Does backwards compatibility also include being able to download games from past generations, like how the PS3 allows me to download PS1 games from the PSN, or is it just physical discs?

Just curious. Because if the PS4 still allows me to download old games, I don't mind if it won't accept physical PS3 discs.

The Vita allows you to download your PSP games that you bought from PSN.
The 3DS allows you to download your DSi games.
The Wii U allows you to download your Wii VC games (I think).

The PS4 and the XBone won't allow any of that and they won't play the discs either.

The PS4 will allow you to buy and download PlayStation Classics and other such like you did on the PS3. You just download the games you already bought on your PS3 on PS4. Much like the Wii U VC, the PS4 online stuff will come at a later date, past its release.

Last I heard, the PS4 didn't have any backward compatibility. Do you have a link?

http://kotaku.com/5985810/the-ps4-will-stream-ps1-ps2-and-ps3-games

This is the closest thing I can find to what I was talking about. However, it has been said that you can just download the games like you have before. You just have to re-buy the games and re-download them. You can't carry over previous purchases.

Sounds good IF they don't make me re-buy games I already bought.

Thanks for the link.

 

[Smeggs]

Just curious on this. People are getting quite riled up over the new gen consoles, and current gen ones not being backwards compatible. This really isn't a new thing

Sony kind of tried with the PS3 at first and it failed dismally, and i'm not 100% about microsoft, but i think their attempts were pretty woeful too.

But.. since i started gaming on consoles.. i couldn't play Sega Master systems games on the megadrive, or NES games on the SNES, or SNES games the 64... etc etc, so why such a big deal now?

Just curious. I understand it would be nice and handy to have, but why is it now such a big issue?

I'll say what I've said already; this generation's technology has a track record of not lasting, especially in the case of the 360 with all of its hardware failures and the big one; RROD.

My PS2 has been working fine for more than 10 years, in fact I have both a Slim and original that is still working great, so it mattered extremely little to me if I'd gotten the PS3 that it has no backwards compatibility.

Meanwhile, I'm currently on my 4th 360. Each one before this has suffered: An intense graphical issue due to hardware problems, an internal hardware failure, and finally the Red Ring of Death. This fourth one has been going strong for going on three years now, the longest any of my four 360's has lasted, but just last week it had disc tray issues for a little while, so already the little flags are starting to be raised around just how much longer this thing can pull through.

That's why, at least for me, it's a big issue. If my 360 were to die-which it almost undoubtedly will, let's be real here-then my entire collection of 360 games becomes nothing more than junk taking up shelf space. Microsoft totally avoids the issue or the fact that their system was built with faulty craftsmanship, but I'm sure that given a few months into the XBoner's run they'll begin throwing up Platinum Hits downloads, because they're probably banking on people's 360's dying so they'll be forced to either pay for the download version of a game they already own or not play it at all.

 

[Windcaler]

For me lack of backwards compatibility and lack of ports to PC or other digital distribution platforms translate into a lack of shelf space. Lets think about this for a minute, Im one of those gamers in their early 30s and Im a little late to the life train just having gotten engaged, no kids (that I know of), and a steady career. Since Ive been gaming there has been the NES, SNES, Sega, Sega Genesis, Playstation, Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, Gamecube, Playstation 2, Xbox 360, Playstation 3 for consoles. This is not including the mobile market that consists of a wide variety of handheld gaming devices, tablets, and various phones. That said, I dont have room in my house for 11 different consoles let alone all the physical copies I have.

Backwards compatibility removes the need to keep old systems which also frees up space in your home. This is also one of the few reasons I like digital distribution platforms for PC and PS Vita. I dont have to have a closet full of consoles disks, cases, cartridges and more just to play older games I love (at the same time I dislike digital distribution because I cant control what happens with a companies servers while I can control what happens to my physical copies).

Things get more complex when we talk about exclusives. You cant transfer a copy of Fallout brotherhood of steel (Im pretty sure that was an xbox exclusive) to Xbox 360 (I know cause I tried to) because its backwards compatibility was crap. Presumably I still wont be able to do it with the Xbox One. So I either have to keep my old xbox or rip the files from my physical copy and put it on my PC to emulate it. How many people have the technical know how, let alone the equipment to take files from physical copies and put them on something else? Not many I would guess.

When I was much younger and it was just the NES and SNES I had a similar attitude. "Its no big deal, we have 2 consoles instead of 1" I would have said but by the time I had my NES, SNES, and playstation I started realizing that it was kind of a pain in the butt to find all the parts to one console if I wanted to play a certain game. Plus lets be very clear, can you even hook up an old NES to the new smart TVs without adapters? I dont think you can. Today Ive got my own place, my fiance has moved in, and in the next year or two Im going to be married and might have a kid as well. Room in our house is finite and backwards compatibility would do a lot to clean up some of that.

Not adding in backwards compatibility at this point just seems short sighted and inconvienant to the consumer.