European PS3 To Play Fewer PS2 Games 150
Mondrian_was_a_square writes "When Sony launches the PS3 in Europe, consumers there won't be getting the same thing that US and Japanese buyers picked up at launch—they'll be getting less. Sony has just announced that the new revision of the PS3 will be less backwards compatible with PS2 games. 'Sony is looking to decrease the production cost of the Playstation 3, and they have opted to replace dedicated hardware with software that will replace its functionality. The hardware had been providing full backwards compatibility of PS2 games, but Sony makes it clear that the new configuration will not offer the same level of support. Certain PlayStation 2 format software titles may not perform properly on this system, the statement reads.'"
That's Sony for you. (Score:5, Interesting)
Ripoff Europe (Score:2, Interesting)
Not that I was considering one anyone, got my Wii on launch.
Interestingly, even though the major online retailers here in the UK sold out of their preorder allocations of the Wii within minutes of going live, I've noticed a couple stating they will remove availability of the PS3 for online ordering as soon as they are gone too... well it's been over a week now the "Buy Now" button is still available. So maybe for one people are actually voting with their wallets
I'm sure one this gets out even more people will be buying your console sony.... well done! How many feet do they have?! Cos they keep on shooting themselves there.
Oh dear (Score:3, Interesting)
People will hear 'functionally reduced - doesn't play PS2 games" no-matter of what real situation is. I think the people who were thinking of trading in their ps2 in for money off/towards a ps3 might wait their time...
This might be a good move for sony, thats more of a bad move for sony.
The written above doesn'r mention... (Score:5, Interesting)
It doesn't mention that Sony want's to bring the backward compatbility to an level almost
as high as the hardware emulation in the US/Japan PS3 is too. See http://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/85781 [heise.de]
(in German). Not so bad as ist sounds.
When do they do this in the US? (Score:3, Interesting)
Not all bad... (Score:2, Interesting)
The newer versions of the PS3 will do the backwards compatability using emulation and not the actual PS2 hardware.
This means that the machines might be:
a)Quieter.
b)A better spec machine than the original version (less H/W bugs).
c)Less prone to breaking.
Re:Buy a US PS3 perhaps? (Score:5, Interesting)
Sony have promised before that the PS3 would be region-free for games. I'm now picking up some worrying rumbles that this might not be the case as far as the UK goes and frankly, this latest news doesn't bode well either. However, while it would be nice to be able to walk into a UK shop and just buy a game when I want one, I'm willing and able to import. Sad to say, the US still does get more games and get them earlier than the UK. Still, I'm also hearing that US machines may be getting an update to allow them to play European/Australian games. If this is indeed true, then my decision to buy a US machine really does seem to have been the right one.
The only drawback right now is that I can't sign up to the online store with a UK credit card. However, once the European region is enabled on launch-day, I understand that I'll be able to sign up for the EU store from my US console.
Re:Buy a US PS3 perhaps? (Score:3, Interesting)
The reason it is difficult to produce a region free console (as compared to a region free handheld) is the NTSC/PAL standards are not compatible. 4:3 PAL has a resolution of 720 x 576 pixels and a refresh rate of 25/50Hz whereas 4:3 NTSC has a resolution of 720 x 480 pixels and a refresh rate of 30/60Hz. The end result is that some things (like HUD and Text) have to be redone in order to actually be useable on both an NTSC and PAL display.
The PS3/XBox 360 don't have to worry about this as much because (IIRC) the HD standards 720p/1080i/1080p are universal
Re:Buy a US PS3 perhaps? (Score:3, Interesting)
There are no overwhelming reasons not to get an American PS3 in Europe, but there are enough hassles not to make it worthwhile for anyone but the most dedicated. Even though the machine itself might be cheaper the games won't be. After all you're going to have to import them for as long as you want to keep playing. If you import region 1 DVDs you can still watch the ones you buy locally on the same player, and even if you couldn't DVD players aren't exactly a big investment.
Then there is the problem of different voltages. European mains run somewhere around 240 compared to the American 110(ish). I don't know if the PS3 has an international power-supply, but if it doesn't you're going to need another accessory. Depending on how the online functionality of the PS3 pans out you might be restricted to playing on American servers against American opponents, which might put you at a disadvantage.
Importing is worthwhile if you are into the kind of games that are not getting released in your market. I always thought that that meant the kind of wacky Japanese game that lacks mass-appeal in the west. American games that don't see releases in Europe? The only thing that immediately comes to mind is Baseball. And even then the Mario Baseball for the GameCube is available over here.
But you're right--the TVs aren't a problem anymore these days. Seems to me that all sets made relatively recently speak PAL and NTSC. It's easier to sell one model around the world, after all.
WTF is wrong with sony (Score:3, Interesting)
Europeans are always screwed when it comes to launch dates. We are used to that but at least sometimes this results in us actually getting a better product. Patches applied and production problems sorted out. So we get every single console after everyone else has had it but at least we usually get better systems.
Offcourse we also pay more, even if you account for different tax systems. But hey, that is the price to pay for the rest of the world beta-testing the product right?
Now along comes Sony, who already has enough trouble selling the PS3, and they give europe NOT only the usual long delay, the usual unexplained price difference BUT they give a lesser product AND ask us to accept an untested product (untested software emulation vs proven hardware) on top of it all?
I actually think the PS3 might have something intresting in it because of its linux capabilities (although so far it seems Sony has made every effort to kill this possibility) but just how far do they expect people to go?
Did Sony hire a mole from MS or Nintendo? Did they hire someone from the remains of british industry to make their decisions? Has the long japanese working week finally caught up with management and driven them utterly mad?
Yes, in theory it makes sense to reduce costs per unit especially with the PS3 but to screw over the europeans by given them a lesser untested product months after everyone for more money just doesn't seem to make a lot of marketting sense. Especially given that PS3 games at the moment are not exactly setting new sales records.
Oh well, Sony got a couple more weeks. They could still announce that the EU PS3 will not be able to play HD movies. Can't take any risks, can we? Must make sure this product tanks.
Perhaps this is all a cunning plan to avoid those nasty stories about shortages and people fighting over the PS3 at launch. Make it even more expensive, still have no good games out and reduce functionality.
Rememeber the tale of how MS won the desktop from IBM and Apple and the homecomputers? Not because MS was so brilliant but because IBM and Apple and the homecomputers all made really stupid decisions?
That is too simple for Sony's taste. It seems determined to make every boneheaded decision themselves.
It is pitifull. Lets face it, the hardware costs for the PS2 hardware can't be that high, but in order to save a few dollars they are willing to remove a key feature from their product. A key feature that is desperately needed as long as their are no killer PS3 games out while there are plenty of intresting PS2 games out, and in fact still being launched.
I have seen attempts to introduce laws that require older people to take driving exams again to prove they are still fit to drive.
Perhaps as management gets older HR should do re-hire procedures to see if they still qualify. Alternatively, maybe management that has been there longer then a decade should be just humanily put down. Put the sony leadership out of its misery.
Re:Not all bad... (Score:2, Interesting)