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[Hex]

Sorry, my games are not disposable and I like to think that I take time to pick games that I might like to come back to sometime whether to just experience it again, maybe show someone the game, or perhaps try something different in the game.
BC is quite important to me and always will be, though I am loving the way psn is throwing PS2 and PS1 games up as well as the hd collections and Live is slowing getting there too but I will still prefer to have the option of the stacks of games that I already have also.

 

[def sim]

People with current gen consoles wanting BC in the next: Understandable, have supported the company/platform, would be great if the manufacturer included BC for these people

People without current gen consoles wanting BC in the next: I don't get this. You didn't support the company/platform, why would they feel the need to serve you when you've had years to buy their platform and enjoy their content? The option would be a privilege/gift to these users who in no way deserve it.

Because it would be a nice incentive for those people to purchase the new consoles. Besides, what does it matter if the customer "deserves" it. They are selling a product, you know.

 

[vareon]

People with current gen consoles wanting BC in the next: Understandable, have supported the company/platform, would be great if the manufacturer included BC for these people

People without current gen consoles wanting BC in the next: I don't get this. You didn't support the company/platform, why would they feel the need to serve you when you've had years to buy their platform and enjoy their content? The option would be a privilege/gift to these users who in no way deserve it.

Huh? Strange logic. I don't have a PS3 now and I don't plan to buy it, but if I do buy a PS4, BC will be a great incentive for me to buy because I will have a huge library of PS3 games to play. Not everyone has to be an exclusive fan of a single company, you know.

 

[Takuya]

Because it would be a nice incentive for those people to purchase the new consoles. Besides, what does it matter if the customer "deserves" it. They are selling a product, you know.

That remains true for PS3/XBOX360, yet they didn't buy in.

 

[StuBurns]

http://steamcommunity.com/id/Grief_exe/games?tab=all

Know it on a carnal level at that point no doubt.

 

[Takuya]

Huh? Strange logic. I don't have a PS3 now and I don't plan to buy it, but if I do buy a PS4, BC will be a great incentive for me to buy because I will have a huge library of PS3 games to play. Not everyone has to be an exclusive fan of a single company, you know.

Yet, they don't have all the platforms... So they're semi-exclusive?

 

[CrazyArcadia]

-doublepost pls delete-

 

[vareon]

Yet, they don't have all the platforms... So they're semi-exclusive?

People might only own one console at a time because of various reasons. Tight budget, no time to play, etc etc. They pick a console that has the better value to them.

 

[VariantX]

I'd think backwards compatibility would be more necessary than ever, now that companies want to sell you products and services digitally. There's an expectation now that things that you buy digitally will work with that device and its successors for a time.

 

[phosphor112]

People with current gen consoles wanting BC in the next: Understandable, have supported the company/platform, would be great if the manufacturer included BC for these people

People without current gen consoles wanting BC in the next: I don't get this. You didn't support the company/platform, why would they feel the need to serve you when you've had years to buy their platform and enjoy their content? The option would be a privilege/gift to these users who in no way deserve it.

It's about serving as many people as possible. Doing this will provide a larger revenue stream. I know someone that said he's getting a PS4. He's owned a 360 this whole gen, no PS3. He doesn't have money to spend on multiple consoles, but he wants to buy PS3 games. The question is, is the initial investment worth it to get that consumer in?

 

[The Horror the horror]

People with current gen consoles wanting BC in the next: Understandable, have supported the company/platform, would be great if the manufacturer included BC for these people

People without current gen consoles wanting BC in the next: I don't get this. You didn't support the company/platform, why would they feel the need to serve you when you've had years to buy their platform and enjoy their content? The option would be a privilege/gift to these users who in no way deserve it.

No wonder some of these companies can get away with so many anti-consumer practices. It's because of submissive corporate apologists like you who think we, the people who put the money into the pockets of these corporate sharks, should kneel and be grateful at their divine offerings! I'm doing THEM a favor by even acknowledging the existence of their products and services, much less opening my wallet to them.

 

[ShowDog]

In response to the OP, go find me a PSX system that can still play anything with FMVs. Lets say, try to make it through the intro of FF7.

*Starfox voice* GOOD LUCK

 

[RedNumberFive]

Why don't you just keep the system you own the game on?

I hear people crying again that the next gen systems better be backwards compatible but apart from a few hardcore gamers, I don't know of many people who are still playing fifa 95 or rushing to get he from work to play pong.

Games evolve and so do gamers. Once I have played a game once I'm pretty much done. Show me the next game.

Does anyone seriously consider it an essential feature of their next gen console? Just leave your ps3 plugged in for a little longer. I'm sure by your 40th play through, you will have had your fill of uncharted.

ITT: Young gamers treat their hobby as disposable entertainment. You'll do fine in this next generation.

 

[Deified Data]

I'd rather not have to switch out consoles in my limited entertainment space. Backward compatibility is just convenient.

 

[Takuya]

It's about serving as many people as possible. Doing this will provide a larger revenue stream. I know someone that said he's getting a PS4. He's owned a 360 this whole gen, no PS3. He doesn't have money to spend on multiple consoles, but he wants to buy PS3 games. The question is, is the initial investment worth it to get that consumer in?

I would have to say no.

No wonder some of these companies can get away with so many anti-consumer practices. It's because of submissive corporate apologists like you who think we, the people who put the money into the pockets of these corporate sharks, should kneel and be grateful at their divine offerings! I'm doing THEM a favor by even ackowledging the existence of their products and services, much less opening my wallet to them.

No backwards compatibility is NOT anti-consumer. They are NOT preventing you from playing their old games, you chose not to support the platform that offered them. If you really did put money into their pockets like you said you did, then you're still able to paly your games despite the lack of BC. It's people with entitlement mentalities that are the problem.

 

[HCgamer]

Playing operation c on my pearl blue gba sp terrific game

 

[def sim]

That remains true for PS3/XBOX360, yet they didn't buy in.

This late in the generation? It's just not practical for some. These consoles should not be a prerequisite for proper service. The mobile and PC market already provide this freely and without question. If this is an entitlement thing, then that is just silly.

 

[Steroyd]

I completely skipped out on getting a DS, and I now have a 3DS.

3DS' backwards compatibility allows me to conveniently catch up on DS games without having to buy a DS altogether, this means Nintendo and publishers gets money from games from a platform I never owned.

 

[Takuya]

This late in the generation? It's just not practical for some. These consoles should not be a prerequisite for proper service. The mobile and PC market already provide this freely and without question. If this is an entitlement thing, then that is just silly.

I want to hear your definition of "proper service". I'm really curious what you believe you're entitled to as far as service goes.

 

[frequency]

I just gave up on looking for another PS2 and am currently looking for a PSP. If you don't live in a big city or big country, these things get hard to find.

I would like backwards compatibility in the PS4 so I don't have to experience this concern again for a long time. Right now it is a serious concern that the hundreds of PS2 games and hundreds of PSP games I own will become useless to me because I don't have the thing to play them anymore. And it looks like in a few years, I'll be in the same situation with the PS3.

I admit that I do not play PS2 games as much as I used to, but I still play them fairly regularly. The PSP is still my most played console though so losing that would hurt.

I'll be able to buy a PS3 if something happens to mine for a couple years after the PS4 is released. But after that, it'll be very hard and/or very expensive to find another if I needed it. It would be nice if the PS4 could take away that concern.

As others have said, my games are not disposable to me.

But I also understand this is inevitable. It's hard to find record players and VCRs. It doesn't mean I can't be sad about it though.

 

[CosmicGroinPull]

Seeing two generations of BC that doesn't give significant performance boost, I've given up on the idea of a PS4 that runs PS3 games at 60fps, etc etc.

 

[def sim]

I want to hear your definition of "proper service". I'm really curious what you believe you're entitled to as far as service goes.

As said, digital content gets treated as it is in more established markets such as PC and mobile. It's not unreasonable to want that nor is it "entitlement." That kind of thinking is foreign to me because:

The mentality of "play it once, sell it, buy the next console" is an artifact from the side of gaming culture that has no experience with platform continuity (aka, the PC).

 

[KageMaru]

Even though BC isn't a big deal to me, I can see how it's a high priority for some. Shelf space is limited, and it would be easier to be able to trade in your old console for a new one. The importance of BC does carry some weight when it comes to digital purchases IMO. I know if I lose all of my XBL and PSN purchases, I'll be more hesitant to purchase anything on the PS4 or Durango.

 

[Psychotext]

No backwards compatibility is NOT anti-consumer. They are NOT preventing you from playing their old games, you chose not to support the platform that offered them.

Completely irrelevant. The point was that adding BC to a PS4 / 720 or whatever makes it more appealing to those who didn't buy the last console as it gives them access to a very large catalogue of titles.

Yours seemed to be that they didn't deserve access to those titles because they never supported the PS3 / whatever...

...which is just you missing the point completely. If you can get a customer next gen that you couldn't get this gen (especially if they buy into your back catalogue, more so digitally) then how is that a loss in any way whatsoever? It's all about adding value and differentiating.

Now if it's worth it vs the expense is another story. But not deserving access to those games? Laughable.

 

[Takuya]

I just gave up on looking for another PS2 and am currently looking for a PSP. If you don't live in a big city or big country, these things get hard to find.

I would like backwards compatibility in the PS4 so I don't have to experience this concern again for a long time. Right now it is a serious concern that the hundreds of PS2 games and hundreds of PSP games I own will become useless to me because I don't have the thing to play them anymore. And it looks like in a few years, I'll be in the same situation with the PS3.

I admit that I do not play PS2 games as much as I used to, but I still play them fairly regularly. The PSP is still my most played console though so losing that would hurt.

I'll be able to buy a PS3 if something happens to mine for a couple years after the PS4 is released. But after that, it'll be very hard and/or very expensive to find another if I needed it. It would be nice if the PS4 could take away that concern.

As others have said, my games are not disposable to me.

But I also understand this is inevitable. It's hard to find record players and VCRs. It doesn't mean I can't be sad about it though.

It's a very different matter to have all these games and wanting to continue to play them later on. This is assuming that your past hardware doesn't work anymore. And for the record, my PSX, Fat PS2, PS3(BC), PSP all still work. So yes, it's nice to be able to continue to play your games on future iterations of the platform, but it's another thing to expect it to be given to you, especially if you feel entitled to it and haven't owned one or many of the previous platforms.

 

[zewone]

I honestly couldn't care less about BC either. I'm buying a new console to play new games on it.

 

[Takuya]

Completely irrelevant. The point was that adding BC to a PS4 / 720 or whatever makes it more appealing to those who didn't buy the last console as it gives them access to a very large catalogue of titles.

Yours seemed to be that they didn't deserve access to those titles because they never supported the PS3 / whatever...

...which is just you missing the point completely. If you can get a customer next gen that you couldn't get this gen (especially if they buy into your back catalogue, more so digitally) then how is that a loss in any way whatsoever? It's all about adding value and differentiating.

Now if it's worth it vs the expense is another story. But not deserving access to those games? Laughable.

So tell me why they deserve it.

And it ALL comes down to the cost/value for the company. If people skipped last gen, what's to prevent them from doing the same thing next gen, and the next, and the next? And constantly demanding backwards compatibility despite never buying in.

 

[Dark Octave]

OP couldn't be more wrong. I'm currently playing Okami for the PS2 for the first time. Before that I played Tales of Symphonia on the GC. Before that it was Fall Out: New Vegas. I like to mix it up, I go back and fourth between consoles and I don't have the space for 17 of them under my TV.

On top of this, PS2/GC/Xbox and Wii look horrible on a 60" TV. With the PS3 at least I have some kind of upscaling going on to make PS2 and PS1 games tollerable on that size of a screen.

Not the end of the world if it doesn't happen with the next set of consoles, but BC is important to me.

 

[Psychotext]

So tell me why they deserve it.

What's this "deserve" shit? Seriously, I'm struggling to work out what planet you're on right now.

There is no deserve or not deserve. Sony either think it will make them money, or they don't. They don't think "well fuck that guy, he didn't buy a PS3". Do you think business is like a high school clique or something? Should Sony have pledges?

Again, and put very, very simply. BC is an added feature which may, or may not attract someone to your console vs that of a competitor. That's really all that matters, not if you feel a customer is worthy of it or not.

 

[def sim]

Backwards compatibility doesn't have to be personal!

 

[Plinko]

Some of my coworkers bought a Vita just to play PS1 games, how come BC is garbage it's selling systems.

This is actually the only reason I'm keeping my Vita right now. BC is definitely NOT garbage.

 

[Takuya]

What's this "deserve" shit? Seriously, I'm struggling to work out what planet you're on right now.

There is no deserve or not deserve. Sony either think it will make them money, or they don't. They don't think "well fuck that guy, he didn't buy a PS3". Do you think business is like a high school clique or something? Should Sony have pledges?

Have you even read this thread? People are expecting BC to be given to them, they believe they are entitled to it/deserve it. I'm referring to those people, I never said anything about Sony/MS (no idea why you're singling out Sony, but to each his own) saying anything about the users deserving BC, to them it's all a matter of cost/return.

Again, not sure why you're singling out Sony, but maybe I should read into that.

 

[Psychotext]

Should I type both? Would that make any difference? The argument is the same for both companies, anyone can see that. Ignoring the fact that I specifically referred to both in my first post.

That aside, you're the one getting angry about "entitlement". Frankly I don't see how it makes a difference, my argument is that no-one deserves or doesn't deserve anything. Business is business, it either works or does not work for the companies involved.

This is your post...

People without current gen consoles wanting BC in the next: I don't get this. You didn't support the company/platform, why would they feel the need to serve you when you've had years to buy their platform and enjoy their content? The option would be a privilege/gift to these users who in no way deserve it.

Again, what's all this support, serve, gift, deserve, privilege horseshit? It's just not relevant.

 

[The Lamp]

Why don't you just keep the system you own the game on?

I hear people crying again that the next gen systems better be backwards compatible but apart from a few hardcore gamers, I don't know of many people who are still playing fifa 95 or rushing to get he from work to play pong.

Games evolve and so do gamers. Once I have played a game once I'm pretty much done. Show me the next game.

Does anyone seriously consider it an essential feature of their next gen console? Just leave your ps3 plugged in for a little longer. I'm sure by your 40th play through, you will have had your fill of uncharted.

It won't be that essential for me this time around because I need to keep my PS3 to play my PS2/PS1 games.

But last gen? You bet it was a big deal. I can't just horde a bunch of consoles under my TV as the years go on.

 

[Quackula]

I wonder if the OP ever watches old movies...?

I like backwards compatibility, it's nice and saves me a couple of inputs.

I wish all consoles would have it going all the way back, but I know that's an unrealistic expectation. Oh well.

 

[redcrayon]

So tell me why they deserve it.

And it ALL comes down to the cost/value for the company. If people skipped last gen, what's to prevent them from doing the same thing next gen, and the next, and the next? And constantly demanding backwards compatibility despite never buying in.

The same argument can be applied to any customer base that doesn't currently own the product- if Nintendo had said 'why court casuals? If they didn't buy in last gen, what if they never do?' The console industry would be very different.

I agree that cost/value matters, but It's not about needing to meet the expectations of the tiny subset of gamers that post on gaf, it's that if its relatively easy to add, BC is a feature with a tangible, immediate benefit at launch that doesn't cost anything to keep running, unlike virtually all online features. I expect it to disappear as part of the campaign against second-hand games, not out of manufacturers caring whether people bought their last system or not.

Also, I don't think I deserve anything, tarring everyone in a thread is a surefire way to turn it into a flamestorm. It's just a major factor for me at launch, based on past experience is all- no BC, no sale. That's not entitlement, It's their right to put whatever features they like in their products, and mine to decide whether those products are right for me depending on features and price. Without BC, I'll pick it up a couple of years later instead when it's cheaper and has a library of software, without losing any sleep over it.

 

[Dark Octave]

Even though BC isn't a big deal to me, I can see how it's a high priority for some. Shelf space is limited, and it would be easier to be able to trade in your old console for a new one. The importance of BC does carry some weight when it comes to digital purchases IMO. I know if I lose all of my XBL and PSN purchases, I'll be more hesitant to purchase anything on the PS4 or Durango.

Very good point. I would feel the same.

 

[vg260]

Why is the OP so upset? Geez.

Is it that hard to understand that people like to revisit their games without having a bunch of systems hooked up with limited space, eating up power and taking up inputs? Not to mention a lot of people invest in digital collections, so being able to carry those forward like on other devices would be a nice feature.

 

[grumble]

Have you even read this thread? People are expecting BC to be given to them, they believe they are entitled to it/deserve it. I'm referring to those people, I never said anything about Sony/MS (no idea why you're singling out Sony, but to each his own) saying anything about the users deserving BC, to them it's all a matter of cost/return.

Again, not sure why you're singling out Sony, but maybe I should read into that.

What? What planet are they on? They have to know that the BC isn't going to happen, at least not via hardware. The expectation is divorced from reality. We might get software PS2 BC though!

 

[frequency]

It's a very different matter to have all these games and wanting to continue to play them later on. This is assuming that your past hardware doesn't work anymore. And for the record, my PSX, Fat PS2, PS3(BC), PSP all still work. So yes, it's nice to be able to continue to play your games on future iterations of the platform, but it's another thing to expect it to be given to you, especially if you feel entitled to it and haven't owned one or many of the previous platforms.

I don't "expect it to be given to" me. It would be nice if it was and I am sad if it is not. But I understand. Backwards compatibility is a niche desire.

I do not really have an opinion on people wanting backwards compatibility so they can play PS3 games because they never owned a PS3.

I own all the PlayStation consoles (TV and handheld). They all still work too. But I am scared for my PS2 and starting to worry for my PS3. My PSP charging port has worn down. It only charges if I put the charging cable in a specific way.

 

[roddur]

No Backward Compatibility is garbage

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

Old consoles eventually break down.

Actually, I think new consoles break down first if this gen is anything to go by.

 

[Betrayer of hope]

I have just put snk kof classics into my ps3. And i realised that apart from the thrill of playing kof again it gave me nostalgia and memories from my childhood.

Which i doubt the OP has even taken into consideration

 

[Quackula]

Actually, I think new consoles break down first if this gen is anything to go by.

I'm a lot more worried about my later systems breaking down than my older ones. Even when they do break down, older ones are a lot easier to fix. I don't need a reballing station if the fuse blows in my SNES or something.

 

[partyphone]

I want the least number of things plugged into my A/V receiver.

Is that such a crazy thing to want?

 

[KittyKittyBangBang]

The only time BC is really nice is about the first year or so the console is out, since there usually arent too many big hits in the first 12 months of a console release. I can still use my shiny new box to play great games I havent gotten to yet

After the generation is in full swing I could care less about it, I honestly think Sony did it right with PS3.

As far as the "just keep your old console" arguement, I have enough crap hooked up to my TV, I dont want 10 year old consoles cluttering up my entertainment center.

 

[MisterHero]

I thought it sucked for PS3 owners when only some of the systems had hardware emulation but killed it. They got to sell more slim PS2s though. ;p

BC probably helped the success of the entire Gameboy line and DS/3DS. Nintendo was well into the 3DS generation and they could still make Pokemon Black/White 2. If you wanted, you could probably call back all of your Pokemon from Gen III to Gen V+ and maybe even Gen VI.

I wish more games used BC to work this way. Animal Crossing from GC->Wii->DS/3DS. Use data in Xenoblade to help unlock easter eggs in X.

 

[CadetMahoney]

I really hope one of the next-gen consoles has full BC out of the box and the other one doesn't so we can finally put to rest whether the benefits outweigh the negatives. . . it's the only way.

 

[KAL2006]

Backwards compatability won't put me off buying a PS4, but it will delay me. I will have to finish my huge backlog of games on PS3 before I move on. Thisay take years, but I don't mind making the jump in a few years time when the PS4 Slim launches.

 

[Zing]

Same here. I don't get how people can replay games a million times.

I can understand this sentiment if you have only played current generation games.

I feel the answer to the OP is that, yes, backwards compatibility for current systems and beyond is likely not worth the effort. With the heavy reliance on multiplayer and online services, there would be little point in maintaining the ability to play current games.