Actually, yeah, at least at the start of a generation it's really damn important, especially if it can offer improvements. I'm not so delusional as to hope for something like last gen SD games to be HD, especially given all the problems with hardware not properly scaling up to what's necessary for the same performance universally (nevermind the fact architectures change), but stuff like good scaling as the 360/Wii U provide is great, or using some of the extra functions like mapping the Right stick to whatever on the Vita (though the screen's enough of an improvement), and I do consider it far more important for digital media than physical.
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Do you care about backwards compatibility at all?
- Thread starter Chao
- Start date
pharmboy044
Member
All I ask from Sony is that they let me play my PSN purchased games on the PS4.
BurnOutBrighter
Banned
Not one bit. I buy a new console to play new games. And I still have my old console to play all my old games.
I'm not really expecting it anymore. And I'm not sure I care.
It's pretty clear there is a market for the top titles of a generation to be 'up-ported' to the next generation a-la what Sony did with a number of PS2 titles. You end up losing a few titles to licensing issues and I can't really care about most of the middle-range stuff considering how little time I have.
I mean, I think a lot of GAF would like to see the top Wii titles ported in HD to WiiU. If Nintendo had just announced that rather than the awkward BC they stuck in the WiiU I'd imagine a lot of people would be happier.
Collecting & Emulation exist for preservation of older titles, though I guess X360/PS3 are probably too complicated to get the emulation treatment. I think that suffices.
More publishers finding a way to get their back catalog on PC or streaming seems like a better option than baked in BC too.
It's pretty clear there is a market for the top titles of a generation to be 'up-ported' to the next generation a-la what Sony did with a number of PS2 titles. You end up losing a few titles to licensing issues and I can't really care about most of the middle-range stuff considering how little time I have.
I mean, I think a lot of GAF would like to see the top Wii titles ported in HD to WiiU. If Nintendo had just announced that rather than the awkward BC they stuck in the WiiU I'd imagine a lot of people would be happier.
Collecting & Emulation exist for preservation of older titles, though I guess X360/PS3 are probably too complicated to get the emulation treatment. I think that suffices.
More publishers finding a way to get their back catalog on PC or streaming seems like a better option than baked in BC too.
I NEED SCISSORS
Banned
I care enough that I invested in PC. I am able to play basically every console before this gen (sans Xbox, but that's no real loss) on my PC, with superior upscaling, filters, HD rendering, choice of controller, save states, cheats etc etc. And of course all older PC and DOS games up till this point.
DTLIONS1013
Member
If I have the system's predecessor, then no. If I don't, then absolutely
Kai Dracon
Writing a dinosaur space opera symphony
If PS4 and 720 don't have BC, then I won't be getting either at launch and for a long time - after major price drops. I have a PC for more natural continuity of software library. I like collecting software. I don't like collecting multiple redundant devices.
Wii U having not just full Wii BC, but full compatibility with all the Wii controllers and accessories I bought, usable in next generation games, was definitely a selling point.
Wii U having not just full Wii BC, but full compatibility with all the Wii controllers and accessories I bought, usable in next generation games, was definitely a selling point.
Psychotext
Member
I will next gen. Either the next consoles allow me to play my XBLA / PSN games or it'll be a loooooooong time before I buy one. Likely about three years.
Man, same. It'll suck so much if I can't transfer my PS3 stuff to my PS4. I can on Wii, but I'm still very annoyed that you have to use "Wii mode" to play your VC games, hope they fix that by the time I decide to buy one.
I hope they also loosen up the account system (seriously, a slightly harsher of the 360 version should be MORE than enough) and tie Wii purchases to it, even if it has to be something crude like nuking the download tickets on a deactivated system and redownloading them on a new one.
Imagine as an executive standing there in E3 and saying 'You can't play any of your psn games that you bought on the ps4'
It's like having mp3 songs that only works on one laptop. Frankly that would be embarassing and gamers can be rightly be miffed about that.
I hope the clowns in charge of SCEI think long and hard about this before they design their system specs
It's like having mp3 songs that only works on one laptop. Frankly that would be embarassing and gamers can be rightly be miffed about that.
I hope the clowns in charge of SCEI think long and hard about this before they design their system specs
Snowden's Secret
Banned
Wii U is probably the first console that actively shouldn't have had backwards compatibility. It appears that some concessions to the hardware were made solely for BC purposes. Also, it's the first launch since I've been getting consoles at launch (N64 and on) that actually has enough quality AAA games at launch to negate the need to gap fill with previous gen titles. Whether this remains true heading into the future (doesn't have the typical post-launch drought) remains to be seen.
That said, BC is generally high up my list of must-have features. It's the largest reason I haven't nabbed a Vita yet, and it's the reason I haven't replaced my broken Wii (new models don't have GCN support). I never had a PS2 and not being able to play those on my PS3 is excrutiating.
That said, BC is generally high up my list of must-have features. It's the largest reason I haven't nabbed a Vita yet, and it's the reason I haven't replaced my broken Wii (new models don't have GCN support). I never had a PS2 and not being able to play those on my PS3 is excrutiating.
No.
I used BC to try and play Morrowind for the first time, on my 360, and I couldn't even get into that game anyway, so I said fuck it. My goal is to try and eliminate my small library of 360 games before the Nextbox comes out next Fall, so that I'll be all ready to either sell it (and the games) or tuck it away.
I do like seeing older games put on the digital marketplace though. Sometimes that gets me to try older stuff though. I really couldn't care less about replaying 99% of stuff though. I really never enjoy replaying games, like ever. I want new stuff.
I used BC to try and play Morrowind for the first time, on my 360, and I couldn't even get into that game anyway, so I said fuck it. My goal is to try and eliminate my small library of 360 games before the Nextbox comes out next Fall, so that I'll be all ready to either sell it (and the games) or tuck it away.
I do like seeing older games put on the digital marketplace though. Sometimes that gets me to try older stuff though. I really couldn't care less about replaying 99% of stuff though. I really never enjoy replaying games, like ever. I want new stuff.
It depends. I have a wii, 360, and ps3. I would expect games on the network (xbla, psn) to be compatible. But these systems arn't going anywhere, so it's not a big deal if I have to boot them up.
I've gone back and played 1 ps2 game and 0 xbox games since this gen started. So overall, no
I've gone back and played 1 ps2 game and 0 xbox games since this gen started. So overall, no
I care a LOT. I keep the games I love but the consoles don't always live that long.
This is especially true in the case of the PS2, for such a fragile console, not having BC on the next one is extremely stupid. Even worse now that the PS2 is discontinued, I can't even buy a new one as I need to.
This is especially true in the case of the PS2, for such a fragile console, not having BC on the next one is extremely stupid. Even worse now that the PS2 is discontinued, I can't even buy a new one as I need to.
MightyHedgehog
Member
Last gen going into this current one, not so much. This coming gen, absolutely.
I've invested into XBLA/XBLIG with well over one-hundred and fifty games and DLC on top. I definitely want most if not all of that to carry forward, and with MS' situation this generation, owning the hardware design for BC considerations and being in competition with current account-based marketplaces that carry purchases forward, I'm sure they will deliver or face the wrath of millions who implicitly expect such a basic feature. They do want everyone to stick with them, as is the largest benefit having such a system, with being able to migrate most of your past platform's membership by force of legacy support, the way Windows has made its success this long-lasting. I expect Sony to do the same, though theirs may be more complicated by changing hardware so drastically if the costs of inclusion of legacy parts prove too high to be competitive and survivable given their currency value woes and tenuous financial situation. At least, a Gaikai-powered solution, for good or ill, may be the main form of BC. Ninty already covers their end with a flawed, but still functional system of account migration.
I've invested into XBLA/XBLIG with well over one-hundred and fifty games and DLC on top. I definitely want most if not all of that to carry forward, and with MS' situation this generation, owning the hardware design for BC considerations and being in competition with current account-based marketplaces that carry purchases forward, I'm sure they will deliver or face the wrath of millions who implicitly expect such a basic feature. They do want everyone to stick with them, as is the largest benefit having such a system, with being able to migrate most of your past platform's membership by force of legacy support, the way Windows has made its success this long-lasting. I expect Sony to do the same, though theirs may be more complicated by changing hardware so drastically if the costs of inclusion of legacy parts prove too high to be competitive and survivable given their currency value woes and tenuous financial situation. At least, a Gaikai-powered solution, for good or ill, may be the main form of BC. Ninty already covers their end with a flawed, but still functional system of account migration.
It was one of the most important reasons for me to buy a 3DS. Without BC, Nintendo would not have gotten my money. I'm currently not in the market for a next gen console besides the Wii U as I have a fairly capable gaming PC. BC is definitely a thing I would consider, but only if I don't own its predecessor. Otherwise it would be unneccesary feature to me.
BannedEpisode
Member
It wont keep me away from a console but I can safely say that having it will be a gigantic bonus for me as a consumer.
If the PS4 doesnt at least have digital BC I will be pissed.
If the PS4 doesnt at least have digital BC I will be pissed.
dragonlife
Member
Absolutely. As someone who enjoys replaying games, BC is a big deal for me.
Dog Problems
Banned
Nah, I've never cared. It's rare that I ever go back to playing an older game and when I do it's always something that can easily be played on a computer.
It really upsets me how many people don't care about their digital libraries possibly being inaccessible. Since so many people don't care it's likely that Sony and Microsoft won't even bother making digital games work on their new consoles, fucking over people like myself. It's ridiculous you people can complain about practices like on disk DLC but don't complain about your digital libraries essentially becoming useless in the future.
People are treating this console transition like it's the same as any other when it really really REALLY isn't.
People are treating this console transition like it's the same as any other when it really really REALLY isn't.
Lasthope106
Member
One of the major reasons I game on the pc is because I have the ability to go and play games from decades ago. The only reason I keep my old consoles is to be able to play the classics. I would absolutely love if consoles had infinite backwards compatibility, but it's not a deal breaker. The 360 and PS3 aren't fully backwards compatible, but that wouldn't determine whether I buy the console or not.
plagiarize
Banned
for downloaded content I expect it. I can't resell that, or give it to friends. it's tied to my account and I want it to work on each system going forwards.
for all the crap people gave the DLC on the Wii and it not having an account and all that, all my purchased content is now residing happily on my Wii U. I am confident all my 360 content will come with me to the 720, but I am not confident any of my PS3 content will follow me (though I know my PS1 games will) onto the PS4, should I feel compelled to buy one.
major exclusives withstanding, if the 720 and PS4 launch close to one another and one features compatibility with my digital library and one doesn't, you can bet I'm going to spend my money on the one that will still play my old games.
for all the crap people gave the DLC on the Wii and it not having an account and all that, all my purchased content is now residing happily on my Wii U. I am confident all my 360 content will come with me to the 720, but I am not confident any of my PS3 content will follow me (though I know my PS1 games will) onto the PS4, should I feel compelled to buy one.
major exclusives withstanding, if the 720 and PS4 launch close to one another and one features compatibility with my digital library and one doesn't, you can bet I'm going to spend my money on the one that will still play my old games.
Randolph Freelander
Member
Full backwards compatibility or bust.
To be clear, I want multi-generational BC. If you have a disc-based system, I want your new system to be able to play all discs from all of your prior disc-based systems.
To be clear, I want multi-generational BC. If you have a disc-based system, I want your new system to be able to play all discs from all of your prior disc-based systems.
DeaconKnowledge
Member
BC is majorly important in two cases:
Launch for a console (You can play the previous gens titles while more current gen games materialize)
If you never had that console previously (It's like buying two consoles for the price of one)
Why?
Launch for a console (You can play the previous gens titles while more current gen games materialize)
If you never had that console previously (It's like buying two consoles for the price of one)
Why?
yeah very much, I used xbox compatibility on 360 a lot because I never had one even though it was limited the games I wanted worked great mostly.
I would really like a kind of BC that enhances the games you already have like better frame rate or resolution/AA, with all the strict API usage on 360 maybe they can do something like that in future.
PS4 I think might be compatible with PS2, they already have functional software emulation on PS3 and I think I read a job posting that they are hiring for PS2 emulation recently but probably not the PS2 discs and it will be a digital store. PSX is still going to be there obviously, PS3 is probably the only one that won't be supported.
As for if most people care or not, I think they do, looking at psx/ps2 digital store on PSN they are probably selling well enough with all the releases over the years, if a console has a great library like ps2/psx I think a lot of people would want to play those games on a new console. ps3/360 have a really large and great catalog at this point, I think BC will matter with digital sales becoming more popular. Don't think BC will be given for Free though.
I would really like a kind of BC that enhances the games you already have like better frame rate or resolution/AA, with all the strict API usage on 360 maybe they can do something like that in future.
PS4 I think might be compatible with PS2, they already have functional software emulation on PS3 and I think I read a job posting that they are hiring for PS2 emulation recently but probably not the PS2 discs and it will be a digital store. PSX is still going to be there obviously, PS3 is probably the only one that won't be supported.
As for if most people care or not, I think they do, looking at psx/ps2 digital store on PSN they are probably selling well enough with all the releases over the years, if a console has a great library like ps2/psx I think a lot of people would want to play those games on a new console. ps3/360 have a really large and great catalog at this point, I think BC will matter with digital sales becoming more popular. Don't think BC will be given for Free though.
OldJadedGamer
Banned
Every single home Sony system plays PS1 games.
ScreenSplitter
Member
Yes. It is of great convenience and means I can play all my games I've paid lots of money for on my shiny new device. It's not a complete deal-breaker, but when it CAN be done (i.e. if the new Nintendo handheld has one screen, I shan't expect BC), no reason why it shouldn't. Oh, apart from if you can some how re-release games at increased price in some sort of arbitary visual upgrade, and also releasing them on your digital storefront with no visual upgrade, after claiming you can't possibly do software BC. But you'd have to be some sort of evil genius to do such a thing.
Who wouldn't want it? If someone said that the next Sony console could replay every single game from the first PS1 title you purchased to the last PS3 game, who would complain? Nobody, because that's just damn cool. I understand from now on; however, my PS2 (and its subsequent controllers) are all buggered.
Random thought, but it's ironic that the only fifth gen console that can BC Timesplitters2 has a godawful analog stick.
Who wouldn't want it? If someone said that the next Sony console could replay every single game from the first PS1 title you purchased to the last PS3 game, who would complain? Nobody, because that's just damn cool. I understand from now on; however, my PS2 (and its subsequent controllers) are all buggered.
Random thought, but it's ironic that the only fifth gen console that can BC Timesplitters2 has a godawful analog stick.
Thamauturge
Banned
Absolutely, I can't understand how anyone doesn't care about it, especially if it is the same format. Its one thing when you look at the format; switching away from the UMD was very important, and it wouldn't be practical to keep it. Now look at the worst offender, the PS3. There is absolutely no reason that it shouldn't play PS2 games... it still uses the Disk format and even plays non game DVDs. With a game that has as amazing of a library as a PS2, dumping backwards compatibility has got to be the most idiotic mistake that Sony has made this gen, and its hurting them in the long run.
If the PS4 isn't backwards compatible with every PS system besides the Portables, there is a strong possibility that I wouldn't buy it.
If the PS4 isn't backwards compatible with every PS system besides the Portables, there is a strong possibility that I wouldn't buy it.
The reasons are entirely unrelated to the format the games come on and entirely related to the hardware that did the work. Nintendo have stuck fairly closely to the same kind of tech for 3 consoles, Sony changed the shit out of it for the PS3 and now it would appear are doing the same for the PS4.
What I'm somewhat surprised of however is that Sony didn't think to add some kind of accessory port to the revised PS3 that could one day have been used to plug an accessory in that did the PS2 BC.
Rawket Lawnchair
Member
In an ideal world, all consoles and devices would be backwards compatible forever.
However it's getting to the point where in 15-20 years only a handful of old games will not be available as DDs.
The point remains though that companies do not offer BC as they want people to re-buy the same stuff with every generation.
However it's getting to the point where in 15-20 years only a handful of old games will not be available as DDs.
The point remains though that companies do not offer BC as they want people to re-buy the same stuff with every generation.
ScreenSplitter
Member
I'm looking forward to the way they try to re-sell PS3/360 titles to us next-gen. Stereoscopic 3D maybe? 1080p< support?
I've never seen it as a huge deal. I've been PC gaming for decades now, and classic games aren't like old movies; they're more like old TV shows. I simply do not to back to them too often. I still have my Dreamcast and SNES; any guesses how many times they've been plugged in since they were relevant consoles? Yeah.
I guess if I were selling my PS3/360 when the next systems launched, that would be one thing, but why would I do that? They'll be worth an inconsequential amount of money by then.
Do not care about BC. At all. I'd rather them not add additional cost to these systems.
I guess if I were selling my PS3/360 when the next systems launched, that would be one thing, but why would I do that? They'll be worth an inconsequential amount of money by then.
Do not care about BC. At all. I'd rather them not add additional cost to these systems.
I just want PSN titles to be backwards compatible. I will be keeping my PS3 around for a long time since it is such a good bluray player. I will just move it to another TV in the house that does not have bluray player.
If I was betting I would say there is a solid chance MS can pull it off. The GPU I don't think will be much of an issue since both will be ATI/AMD. If the CPU is a PPC I can see them getting like 75% or higher backwards compatibility.
Sony will have the harder time if they are really using a AMD CPU. I can see huge issues trying to emulate the cell. The GPU I see no issues emulating. I just don't see Sony including the Cell and increasing launch costs.
If I was betting I would say there is a solid chance MS can pull it off. The GPU I don't think will be much of an issue since both will be ATI/AMD. If the CPU is a PPC I can see them getting like 75% or higher backwards compatibility.
Sony will have the harder time if they are really using a AMD CPU. I can see huge issues trying to emulate the cell. The GPU I see no issues emulating. I just don't see Sony including the Cell and increasing launch costs.
SillyEskimo
Member
It is one of the most important details of the upcoming generation for me. If a system does not offer it, I likely will not pick it up at launch.
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