MCV: PlayStation on Xbox backwards compatibility

Sony's Gaikai service costs money to maintain and doesn't have unlimited bandwidth. They can't just offer streaming through disc authentication because they are incurring costs per each streamer.

It's a different approach with its own pros and cons. For instance, they'll probably expand the service to PS4 games eventually.

I am pretty amazed Microsoft is doing this, though. If any party should be put to shame, it's Nintendo. The Wii U has always been capable of natively running GCN games, and it's probably 100x easier for them to do that than for Microsoft to do this.
 
i just tried my first BC game on the XB1 (viva pinata) and it was a good experience. Worked pretty much as expected, and I was able to take screenshots and record videos.
 
This is why I'm glad that Phil Spencer is head of Xbox. It feels like my digital games are at least somewhat safe under his leadership. The importance of BC in this age matters a lot when a lot of games are digital. I think the next Xbox may very well be BC with both the Xbox One and 360 because Windows is becoming a platform and the games are just different generations of that platform.
 
Sony's lack of effort is absolutely inexcusable. Even if we get emulators, they'll be basic as hell.

The ignorance here is astounding, do you have any idea how cell's architecture makes BC pretty much impossible on ps4? It's proprietary CPU means nearly ever game would need to be redone just to run. The only thing inexcusable here is your post. Sony is using the only option the have.
 
The ignorance here is astounding, do you have any idea how cell's architecture makes BC pretty much impossible on ps4? It's proprietary CPU means nearly ever game would need to be redone just to run. The only thing inexcusable here is your post. Sony is using the only option the have.
The honour of Sony is intact, no need to get defensive.

I was referring to PSone and PS2 emulation.
 
I keep seeing people state that PS3 BC is impossible because of Cell... Is this a proven fact or just an excuse being thrown around?

I feel it's an excuse. A good one for sure but if they really wanted, with enough time and resources, they could.

Still though, they already have a solution in PSNow, but since they haven't explicitly labeled it as such apparently it isn't. Even though it allows you to play PS3 games on your PS4, albeit at a cost.
 
I feel it's an excuse. A good one for sure but if they really wanted, with enough time and resources, they could.

Still though, they already have a solution in PSNow, but since they haven't explicitly labeled it as such apparently it isn't. Even though it allows you to play PS3 games on your PS4, albeit at a cost.
they can't even change usernames!
 
I feel it's an excuse. A good one for sure but if they really wanted, with enough time and resources, they could.

Still though, they already have a solution in PSNow, but since they haven't explicitly labeled it as such apparently it isn't. Even though it allows you to play PS3 games on your PS4, albeit at a cost.

That's silly CELL is totally different and would require a rewrite, heck cell is faster now in many ways then the current ps4 cpu, it is well documented how difficult cell is. Anything can be done with enough time and resources, it would take a lot from sony and it is simply not worth it, 2 years into the gen. BC is not something that is going to make much of any difference for a console. Cell is literall alien architecture compared to anything else with it's 8 SPEs.
 
That's silly CELL is totally different and would require a rewrite, heck cell is faster now in many ways then the current ps4 cpu, it is well documented how difficult cell is. Anything can be done with enough time and resources, it would take a lot from sony and it is simply not worth it, 2 years into the gen. BC is not something that is going to make much of any difference for a console. Cell is literall alien architecture compared to anything else with it's 8 SPEs.

IN THEORY Sony could take the same approach as Microsoft: just have the PS4 spin up a PS3 virtual machine. But it would require them writing a layer that converts CELL instructions to x86 on the fly, like the Xbox One is translating PowerPC to x86. Though I doubt the PS4 has enough power to do that at an acceptable speed
 
Sony's lack of effort is absolutely inexcusable. Even if we get emulators, they'll be basic as hell.

I was referring to PSone and PS2 emulation.

Their PS1 emulation is really good, particularly on PS Vita where they have boatloads of options for screen rendering and control mapping. If they could provide emulators with similar options on PS4, that would be great!

I believe they need to offer PS1 and PS2 classics on PS4 at some point soon. I'm actually somewhat surprised they haven't already done so by now--it would be yet another avenue for them to sell the classics.

PS3 would be difficult to emulate straight up. I do think that Sony's offering cross-buy on a number of downloadable games was a favorable move that many people in this thread have overlooked. Some people point to PS Now as Sony's substitute for backward compatibility, but it's really not meant for that. On the other hand, the cross-buy program has provided a great cross-generation upgrade path, with many games even being doled out retroactively at no additional cost to the consumer.
 
I think saying that BC is a much requested but relatively unused feature needs context.

PS2 BC on PS3 being unused is understandable. The PS3 didn't really offer any new system features, pretty much same controller.

But the PS4 is different - new controller, DS4 with Share features for Screenshot, Streaming and RemotePlay.

I would love to play my PS3 games using these features
 
I think BC could be more utilized this gen. Just look to the remasters selling as proof that the long period of last gen caused larger than normal back logs. All I know is I have a decent stack of unfinished 360 games that are now back on my list to play.

(i gave my 360 to my younger nephews when I got a X1 is the reason I don't play them on my old system)
 
The ignorance here is astounding, do you have any idea how cell's architecture makes BC pretty much impossible on ps4? It's proprietary CPU means nearly ever game would need to be redone just to run. The only thing inexcusable here is your post. Sony is using the only option the have.

And what about PS1 and PS2 games that the PS4 can EASILY run?
 
I've read 10 of the 12 pages of this thread and I keep seeing people defend PSNow as not being the same as BC time after time. It's this it's that but it's not BC.

It leaves me wondering why though. It is a service that provides BC with PS3 games and the only thing that prevents it from truly doing so is because Sony doesn't claim it to be so.

But, why couldn't it be? If they didn't charge those that already own the games and did the same as MS by verifying your ownership of the game through your gamertag and or physical disk it would be their answer to BC for the PS4. They just don't want to do so.

It could still be all the other things it wants to be to those that don't already own the games but the only thing stopping Sony is greed.

It's kinda surprising and disheartening to see so many defend Sony's lack of #4thegamers mentality. It's all about their bottom line and nothing else just like EA Access and we're just giving them a pass. I bet some of these same people are still resenting MS for what they perceive as slights from yrs past even though they seem to be more #4thegamers right now. It sure seems like even when they do good it's dismiss as a negative with no thought.

#forthegamers indeed.

That would be a perfect solution for Sony, I always thought it to be their intention until they showed up with those ridiculous prices.
 
I believe they need to offer PS1 and PS2 classics on PS4 at some point soon. I'm actually somewhat surprised they haven't already done so by now--it would be yet another avenue for them to sell the classics.

Yeah, and the explanations that people have been giving ("they just want us to use PS Now!!") ring false to me. But what explanation is there for the PS4's continued lack of PS1/PS2 backwards compatibility? I haven't got the faintest clue.
 
Their PS1 emulation is really good, particularly on PS Vita where they have boatloads of options for screen rendering and control mapping. If they could provide emulators with similar options on PS4, that would be great!

I believe they need to offer PS1 and PS2 classics on PS4 at some point soon. I'm actually somewhat surprised they haven't already done so by now--it would be yet another avenue for them to sell the classics.
Thats something I never knew about, sounds interesting. Right now PCSX-R can do true widescreen and fixes geometry wobble and that's off of an ancient open-source project. You're right though, it would be a perfect excuse to rebuy these old games.
 
That would be a perfect solution for Sony, I always thought it to be their intention until they showed up with those ridiculous prices.

Yeah, I'm really hoping Microsoft's announcement strongly encourages Sony to make games you already own free on PSNow. And maybe even drop their prices.
 
I was surprised at the Xbox BC announcement, gave me a good push to buy a One. Also got it for the RARE Collection and my GF wanted one. We found one for $250.

Hope the BC compatibility list gets largely updated soon.

I wish Sony could offer a similar solution. PS Now is not an option for me at this moment.
 
The ignorance here is astounding, do you have any idea how cell's architecture makes BC pretty much impossible on ps4? It's proprietary CPU means nearly ever game would need to be redone just to run. The only thing inexcusable here is your post. Sony is using the only option the have.

PS3 would be difficult to emulate straight up. I do think that Sony's offering cross-buy on a number of downloadable games was a favorable move that many people in this thread have overlooked. Some people point to PS Now as Sony's substitute for backward compatibility, but it's really not meant for that. On the other hand, the cross-buy program has provided a great cross-generation upgrade path, with many games even being doled out retroactively at no additional cost to the consumer.

I agree. Why do people think publishers are porting certain games from last gen onto this gen of consoles now, despite the awful mess that's PS Now? That was the only way that we're going to play these games from PS3 & 360 again, natively!

Hey look cocky 599 Sony is back

Don't start that shit.
 
I agree. Why do people think publishers are porting certain games from last gen onto this gen of consoles now, despite the awful mess that's PS Now? That was the only way that we're going to play these games from PS3 & 360 again, natively!

Money was what springs to mind...
 
The fact that they're remastering everything pretty much shows that people are willing to replay older games.

Not having at least PS1 or PS2 games is pretty inexcusable especially for a dedicated gaming console. Heck even the PSV has PS1 and PSP emulation.
 
Well at least it's an honest answer unlike saying "Well, we have an option for people who want BC, buy a PS3".

It's also worth pointing out that Sony has the usage numbers for BC on PS3. Even if it's the most requested feature and is not being used, Sony choosing not to spend the time and money makes complete sense.

What people are also forgetting is that Sony spent what 400M on PSNow. Its completely normal for them to not spend more on a feature that would seem redundant. Microsoft not spending that kind of money and not having a cloud based streaming service (yet) makes sense for them to offer the BC. Both choices are completely legitimate and Sony acknowledges that. Sony's eventual goal would be to improve and expand their PSNow service like they are opening it up on non-PS devices so the concept of BC is totally devalued. Eventually Microsoft will also have their arm in this market, just not right now.
 
I feel it's an excuse. A good one for sure but if they really wanted, with enough time and resources, they could.

Still though, they already have a solution in PSNow, but since they haven't explicitly labeled it as such apparently it isn't. Even though it allows you to play PS3 games on your PS4, albeit at a cost.

Even if it were possible, the cost/benefit would certainly make Sony not even consider it

The Cell is beyond alien architecture to X86 architecture, emulating it won't be easy and it would be extremely expensive

Just look how PS3 emulation is currently, right now there are about 5 games that work and you require PCs that are a ton stronger than the PS3 to get 10 FPS and the PS4 is not even close to those PCs
 
The fact that they're remastering everything pretty much shows that people are willing to replay older games.

Not having at least PS1 or PS2 games is pretty inexcusable especially for a dedicated gaming console. Heck even the PSV has PS1 and PSP emulation.

Hopefully this works out well enough for MS to encourage Sony to step it up.
 
I think BC could be more utilized this gen. Just look to the remasters selling as proof that the long period of last gen caused larger than normal back logs. All I know is I have a decent stack of unfinished 360 games that are now back on my list to play.

(i gave my 360 to my younger nephews when I got a X1 is the reason I don't play them on my old system)

Two things. Why did you give your nephews a system but not all the games for that system you would no longer have?

The second is that you can't call proof of remasters selling and therefore people wanting BC. People might not have had the previous system, or if they did did not play those games being remastered.
 
I know it's been said before. But this last generation was very much about digital downloads coming into play. the Xbox Arcade and PSN titles are just as good from the last generation as they are from this one. many of us purchased a lot of the games. I know I spent over $1000 easy in just a year's worth of games. I'm thrilled that I can carry that over to my xbox one. I realize Sony has the PS now but that's requiring me to pay for the titles again. whereas Microsoft is not. so it's really unfair to compare the two services. now Sony is in a very difficult position because of the difficulty of emulating the cell processors. so they did what they thought was best. hopefully they can figure out a way to compromise a little bit and make this right in the eyes of the consumer. since I own both systems, I would like see my previous purchases work on both.
 
But they beat Xbox One to market. Sure its streaming and costs money, but Sony figured monetizing a feature that half this thread thinks is useless was the best way to provide BC to the PlayStation nation and beyond. Which is essentially what the PR speech is saying between the lines.

I understand Sony is not there to serve me, as i'm not here to serve them. What they think is best is not the same I think is best.
 
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It's the opposite though. Show me the receipts it won't be like the OG Xbox emulation on 360. So far it looks the same with a limited list and similar promises.

The 360 OG Xbox emulation was going to have many added each month. That died off very quick and I was screwed by having sold my OG Xbox.

Until MS proves us wrong, we have the high ground here as existing burned customers.
 
It's the opposite though. Show me the receipts it won't be like the OG Xbox emulation on 360. So far it looks the same with a limited list and similar promises.

The 360 OG Xbox emulation was going to have many added each month. That died off very quick and I was screwed by having sold my OG Xbox.

Until MS proves us wrong, we have the high ground here as existing burned customers.
360 ran a custom binary of each game. Xbone is actually emulating 360 hardware and thus much more scalable.
 
So keep your 360?

Yup, but I don't want to. I want MS to succeed at this. I just don't trust them on it yet. And I also see a lot of other people making decisions I made like selling their 360 and/or buying a bunch of 360 games without a 360. I bought a bunch of OG Xbox games that I hadn't played for them never to become BC compatible. Thus why I am conveying in this thread that everyone should be cynical first on this one.
 
A huge plus for the form of BC over the likes of PSNow, is that my wife can stream Lovefilm hole I'm gaming - which was hugely inconvenient when she couldn't for me to use the latter.

I want to play such titles from my hard drive - ergo, this solution is ideal. Can't believe there are so many naysayers regarding the development...
 
Yup, but I don't want to. I want MS to succeed at this. I just don't trust them on it yet. And I also see a lot of other people making decisions I made like selling their 360 and/or buying a bunch of 360 games without a 360. I bought a bunch of OG Xbox games that I hadn't played for them never to become BC compatible. Thus why I am conveying in this thread that everyone should be cynical first on this one.

And people are conveying that you should at least be a little hopeful because their approach, especially with regards to how the tech works, is clearly different.
 
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