RUMOR: 40gig to get B/C?

[Extreme_Dude23]

As german site inplaystation.de reports, downward compatibility for the 40GB PS3 will be available this october via firmware upgrade. They talked to a Sony importer from germany who told them, Sony is going to release a new firmware which allows a fully software emulation of PS2 games.

Since Sony announced that they're going to offer downloadable PS2 games in PSN, this rumor sounds believable.

source: http://playstation.ingame.de/content.php?c=79310&s=429


Im not entirely sure, the PS3 needs a PS2 GSX dont it?

[user friendly]

I still don't believe this. It's more than likely possible but I doubt the 40GB will get full PS2 BC, maybe certain games will be worked on to allow this but only million+ sellers. I could see it as a game to game emulation.

Too much confusion this gen for the average consumer. Even store employees don't have a clue on what SKU contains what component/ability. I had one guy last weekend try to tell a customer that the 40GB didn't have wireless built in. :mad:

If they can get the software emulation at least to the 80GB level, I'll be happy/surprised but I see it as them recoding the game from scratch to run like a regular PS3 game would instead of emulation but here's to hoping I guess.

Nevada could probably shed some glorious light on this rumour but I doubt he's at liberty to.

Im not entirely sure, the PS3 needs a PS2 GSX dont it?

As of now yes, the PS3 needs at least the GS to run PS2 games but IF this rumour is true, then they've eliminated the need for one.

[Extreme_Dude23]

The firmware would have to install a emulated EE and emulated GSX...

[user friendly]

The firmware would have to install a emulated EE and emulated GSX...

Pretty much, yeah.

[_Syn]

But.. HOW?
I thought the 40GB didn't include a certain engine part that the 60 and the 80GB models have. How can it just be bypassed through a firmware update.

On the other hand, I guess Sony's tired of hearing "I want backwards compatibility on my $400 PS3 system. Now the only difference between my 80 and the 40 the other people have is USB ports

[Extreme_Dude23]

@Syn_,

The 80GB has an emulated EE and built in GSX I think, 60gig is all built in, like I said, The firmware would have to install a emulated EE and emulated GSX.

[user friendly]

But.. HOW?
I thought the 40GB didn't include a certain engine part that the 60 and the 80GB models have. How can it just be bypassed through a firmware update.

On the other hand, I guess Sony's tired of hearing "I want backwards compatibility on my $400 PS3 system. Now the only difference between my 80 and the 40 the other people have is USB ports

Well, if Sony were to dump time/money/resources and effort into creating a fully software based emulator for PS2 games, then it's totally possible. I just don't see that happening though. I hope it does but I remember when the 40GB was first announced that they thought PS2 BC was not really a priority. Whether or not that was said in order to not hurt potential 40GB sales in another question. Just one more reason I wish I was an industry insider.

[Judas]

But.. HOW?
I thought the 40GB didn't include a certain engine part that the 60 and the 80GB models have. How can it just be bypassed through a firmware update.

On the other hand, I guess Sony's tired of hearing "I want backwards compatibility on my $400 PS3 system. Now the only difference between my 80 and the 40 the other people have is USB ports

The 20GB and 60GB contained the Emotion Engine, which is basically a PS2. The 80GB used software emulation rather than hardware emulation. So, if this rumor is true, you would basically download a PS2 emulator to your PS3.

[user friendly]

The 20GB and 60GB contained the Emotion Engine, which is basically a PS2. The 80GB used software emulation rather than hardware emulation.

The 20GB and 60GB has the EE and the GS. The 80GB only has the GS and the EE is being emulated. What you said isn't really incorrect though.

So, if this rumor is true, you would basically download a PS2 emulator to your PS3.

Exactly. Or they're doing it the other way I mentioned..... Or not at all.

[Extreme_Dude23]

Well, if Sony were to dump time/money/resources and effort into creating a fully software based emulator for PS2 games, then it's totally possible.

I don't think it's TOTALLY possible, there might not be enough RAM or something for a emulated EE and GSX. The EE don't take up a lot of RAM space, but the GSX will use a lot of power and RAM.

[_Syn]

Alright, thanks.

Well, I don't really see the point in adding this. Though, it'd be handy.
Like, who touches their old PS2 games when they have their PS3 games?

[Mister Chief]

It will happen.

When Sony start putting PS2 games on the store they'll have to work towards making the 40gb units BC otherwise they'll be cutting out a lot of potential sales.

[user friendly]

I don't think it's TOTALLY possible, there might not be enough RAM or something for a emulated EE and GSX. The EE don't take up a lot of RAM space, but the GSX will use a lot of power and RAM.

If you're basing that off of what public made for PC emulators can do, you may be mislead. Most of the emulators for PC are made without any resources from Sony, ie, the SDK and source code.

If Sony were to create an emulator they would have all the tools they need. Sure it needs to be more powerful than the actual system being emulated but not as much as is needed with emulators for PC were your PC needs to be X amount as powerful than the system being emulated. It really boils down to the coder and the source they have to work off of.

360's XBOX BC is fully software, so it would seem that fully software based emulation of PS2 games is entirely possible. It's whether Sony thinks it will pay off for them.

Alright, thanks.

Well, I don't really see the point in adding this. Though, it'd be handy.
Like, who touches their old PS2 games when they have their PS3 games?

According to NPD, 124 thousand people bought a PS2 in the month of April and 216 thousand in the month of March, so people still do play PS2. It's a beast! I recently replayed all the MGS, had a blast too.

[Alistar]

With the power the PS3 has, I have always believed it is completely possible a 100% software based emulator "could" be developed. If home devs can create emulators for home computers, I'd imagine SONY devs would be able to create one for the PS3.

SONY devs, as said above, have access to advanced development tools. They have software and resourced home devs lack.

EDIT:
Oh and, me and my brother regularly play PS2 games. It isn't a hassle, I have two inputs for both my PS2 and PS3 so I don't need to switch cables... Still would be nice to have the 40GB PS2 compatible.

[TheRaiderNation]

According to NPD, 124 thousand people bought a PS2 in the month of April and 216 thousand in the month of March, so people still do play PS2. It's a beast! I recently replayed all the MGS, had a blast too.

Honestly, if thats what they were going for, I wouldn't be surprised, I mean hell, if you were in Sony's and making shoes and you were still making $44.2 million with the ps2what wouldn't you rather have people who have a 40gig go out and buy a ps2, or just release a free emulator in another firmware? I really don't think that we'll see a ps2 software emulator until the ps2 starts to die down.

[al3x]

Wouldn't be to hard for them to get this working.

The European 60GB has software support for PS2 games, so all Sony need to do is add the "emulator" to the new firmware.

[Alistar]

I really don't think that we'll see a ps2 software emulator until the ps2 starts to die down.

There is a weakness in this post of yours.

SONY are trying to bring attention to the PS3, not the PS2. If they wait for the PS2 to die down, it will take too much attention away from the PS3. If the cheaper 40GB models gain the ability to play PS2 games via software emulation, then it will boost profits. SONY is trying to boost sales for the PS3, not the PS2.

The European 60GB has software support for PS2 games, so all Sony need to do is add the "emulator" to the new firmware.

That model has PS2 hardware. All PS3 models, apart from the 40GB, have had hardware. The 60GB, from what I read, had both software and hardware to run PS2 games.

[steve_acfc]

I said in another thread somewhere I reckoned they were working on this. It just didn't make sense that they weren't commenting or anything on it. They seem to be spending this year sorting out what people are calling for and some people (I like to think of them as STRANGE people)keep calling for BC. Like everything else it will probably take 3x as long as it needs to to be done though. Does anyone even care about PS2 games when there are so many PS3 games out there now :/

It really does make sense that they do this though as the PS2 had BC and it won them a fair bit of the market seeing as the PSX had so many users...

[Alistar]

Does anyone even care about PS2 games when there are so many PS3 games out there now :/

I do and so do figures of PS2 sales.

It really does make sense that they do this though as the PS2 had BC and it won them a fair bit of the market seeing as the PSX had so many users...

People buy PS2 for PS2 games. Now, people buy PS3 for Blu-Ray, PS3 and PS1 games. (if they still have them) Now, imagine the sale potential. With a reduced price and the large PS2 library becoming available to the PS3, imagine the sale potential it could have. The PS3 could also have PS2 > HD Up scaler.

[migo]

I'm assuming this is for something like Xbox Originals, like the PS1 classics, except for PS2 games. Sony likely won't make money off PS2 games for long, especially with them all being secondhand it's pretty easy to cycle games around without Sony making another penny. With download games they know they're making more money, and the development costs of getting a PS2 game to run on a 40GIG is probably much less than the cost of developing a PS3 game from scratch.

[user friendly]

That model has PS2 hardware. All PS3 models, apart from the 40GB, have had hardware. The 60GB, from what I read, had both software and hardware to run PS2 games.

The PAL 60GB was like the NA 80GB and only had the GS on the mobo. The NA 60GB/20GB are the only models with full hardware PS2 BC.

[Alistar]

The PAL 60GB was like the NA 80GB and only had the GS on the mobo. The NA 60GB/20GB are the only models with full hardware PS2 BC.

Damn regional differences.

[kbandressen]

Well, as a 40GB owner, I can say this would be nice but it's not gonna break my heart if it's false. I already made up my mind when I bought the thing that I didn't really need BC.

[PS2GT]

i could care less if my p.o.s 40gb ps3 had bc cuz i have 2 ps2s and i dont play them. im buying the p.o.s 80gb anyway as i had to settle for the 40 cuz where i live there hasnt been an 80gb ps3 since febuary but since mgs4 is comming i can easily buy one now.

[FreePlay]

I get the feeling it'll happen as a step toward making the PS3 smaller.

[GW2]

ive seen too much lack of hardware knowledge here so ill tell you the facts, the NA/JP 20/60 gig ps3's have EE and GS, the euro 60 has GS, ALL 80 gigs have GS, ALL 40 gigs have no PS2 hardware. so, i think sony will do this like POPS on the psp. limited support for certain gmaes which they make available.

[spike021]

That is why you get an original 60 gigabyte version.

[Synyster gates]

I don't see the big deal. When sony does offer downloadable ps2 games, If its as disappointing as the downloadable ps1 games it'll be pointless.

2extreme...is a trip down memory lane that I'd rather not take.

[reaperchad]

Any likelihood this will happen this year?

[BigSanFrey]

ive seen too much lack of hardware knowledge here so ill tell you the facts, the NA/JP 20/60 gig ps3's have EE and GS, the euro 60 has GS, ALL 80 gigs have GS, ALL 40 gigs have no PS2 hardware. so, i think sony will do this like POPS on the psp. limited support for certain gmaes which they make available.

And where was the Australian 60gb?