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[jarrod]

I was thinking about this the other day... PSone backward compatability is nice and all, but access to PSone games is virtually nonexistant in today's market (at least in America). I actually think adding a download service on PlayStation 3 to play old PSone would be a pretty good move for SCEI, it'd take away one of Nintendo's bullet point advantages and it'd likely create a nice extra revenue stream (with virtually no added costs)... it'd make me get one over a 360 anyway. Thoughts?

 

[John Harker]

Arent the file sizes of some of those games really large?
Especially the multidisc ones.

Well, download service base could be small, but I guess its a good way to push the harddrive, and especially upgrading it.

I doubt they'll do it though, since they went through all the trouble to make it continue to play Ps1 games in the first place.

 

[Speevy]

I can find some used Psone games at Gamestop.

 

[DCharlie]

i'm sure Sony will mention it like this :

"... with downloadable content such as movies and music... and.. maybe some surprises!"

OMG! PSONE DOWNLOAD GAMES SUPPORT! NINTENDOWNED!

Sony will be vague until the end, it doesn't pay for specifics when the hype from small sound bytes lasts an eternity.

 

[Late Stage Marxist]

Bluray compilation discs?

 

[littlewig]

I bought FFT for the PSX for 7 dollars new at TRU this weekend.

High 5's all around!

 

[Arluss]

I could care less if Sony instituted a virtual console. My PS2, and soon my PS3, will have support for my older systems with all the games I have for them already.

The draw for me, with Nintendo's, is that I don't have my NES anymore, hooking up the SNES is a pain and ditto for my N64. Having all those in one system is much more convenient for me.

 

[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

I wouldnt mind paying for some rare, hard to find games for the PS1 as part of a download service. If I could download on my PS3 some PS1 games that never saw the light of day outside of japan that would be sweet!

 

[Arluss]

If I could download on my PS3 some PS1 games that never saw the light of day outside of japan that would be sweet!

That is one of my hopes for the Nintendo virtual console.

I mean, it wouldn't be that hard to get a group together to translate old NES and SNES games for it right? I wanna play Marvelous...

 

[Razoric]

It would be a good test bed for future game downloading.

 

[dynamitejim]

Bluray compilation discs?

They should do that for PS2 games anyways.

 

[Laguna X]

I would love to see this happen. Maybe even something similar to the ol' SEGA channel would be nice.

 

[snatches]

Bluray compilation discs?

FFI -> FFX

*Head Explodes*

 

[Kuroyume]

I don't see the point. Why would you want to play 9 year old games on a PS3? Yeah, sure the PS had a shitload of gems but it's time to move on now. Sony has respectable third party support. You're going to be too distracted to even bother with that stuff.

 

[Razoric]

I don't see the point. Why would you want to play 9 year old games on a PS3? Yeah, sure the PS had a shitload of gems but it's time to move on now. Sony has respectable third party support. You're going to be too distracted to even bother with that stuff.

Just because the games are old doesnt mean they aren't good. You probably can't watch a movie that came out before 2003 can you?

 

[genjiZERO]

I don't see the point. Why would you want to play 9 year old games on a PS3? Yeah, sure the PS had a shitload of gems but it's time to move on now. Sony has respectable third party support. You're going to be too distracted to even bother with that stuff.

Because some of those games are still fun to play, but impossible to find or were never released in a particular region. Like Vib Ribbon for example. If the games's fun it doesn't matter how old it is. And anyway, from a businesss perspective it's a great idea; people will download old games just because they can and since no manufacturing is involved it won't cost a lot to support. Nintendo is going to make a killing off of this. I'll download Bahamut Lagoon as soon as it's available.

 

[kaching]

it'd likely create a nice extra revenue stream (with virtually no added costs)...

I'd take it one step further. I've always wondered why ALL publishers don't just do this - put the ISO/ROMs of their older games (say, older than 5 yrs) up for legitimate download for a small fee ($1-5 USD). Like you say, on the surface the infrastructure costs needed to support this certainly seem minimal enough that they wouldn't impact a potentially significant revenue stream too much. Yet, nobody really does this. It just seems like a completely obvious opportunity being overlooked, I can't help but give pubs the benefit of the doubt that there's a problem with this that I'm missing.

But, yeah, obviously I think it would be a great idea. And the more the merrier.

 

[APF]

Wait 'till PS4 and greater broadband penetration/faster connections. My own intuition is that monthly-fee-based on-demand services (along the lines of Gametap?) will be a good model to use, rather than full-on pay-per-download.

 

[Duderz]

Sorry to be offtopic, but Kuyrome, what the heck is your avatar from?

And, uh, yeah, downloadable games for the PS3 would be real nice, especially if they can up the textures and whatnot.

 

[genjiZERO]

I'd take it one step further. I've always wondered why ALL publishers don't just do this - put the ISO/ROMs of their older games (say, older than 5 yrs) up for legitimate download for a small fee ($1-5 USD). Like you say, on the surface the infrastructure costs needed to support this certainly seem minimal enough that they wouldn't impact a potentially significant revenue stream too much. Yet, nobody really does this. It just seems like a completely obvious opportunity being overlooked, I can't help but give pubs the benefit of the doubt that there's a problem with this that I'm missing.

But, yeah, obviously I think it would be a great idea. And the more the merrier.

People have been talking about this for years and I can't figure it out either. The conversaton used to be "Why isn't there a service where they can order games and have CD burned on demand?". Now it's just to download direct. If Nintendo's thing works out, then I think we'll see 3rd parties followinig suit.

I think the key to making it work though is to have fair prices for consumers (and really this in a lot of ways gets into why illegal downloading of media is so popular). There's no reason a game like Mario 1 shouln't cost more than $5. I think consumers are smart enough to realise the actual "worth" of an item (eg: how much money went into development, manufacturing. etc, ect) as opposed to cost based on an artificial standard. If people think they are getting a good deal as opposed to being ripped off then they'll be more likely to support that service.

 

[Pellham]

they should definately do this. A year or two from now, 650 megs will be downloadable in less than a minute, so why not?

 

[RevenantKioku]

I don't see the point. Why would you want to play 9 year old games on a PS3? Yeah, sure the PS had a shitload of gems but it's time to move on now. Sony has respectable third party support. You're going to be too distracted to even bother with that stuff.

I'd rather play old gems than new trash.

 

[Error]

Sorry to be offtopic, but Kuyrome, what the heck is your avatar from?

And, uh, yeah, downloadable games for the PS3 would be real nice, especially if they can up the textures and whatnot.

sorry to be off-topic... that's Shakira probably the only good music video right now.

 

[neptunes]

It's a great idea, but I just don't see sony with the dedication to create and follow through with a service like this.

 

[Mrbob]

I think MS Live Arcade is a better plan than what Nintendo has for downloads and what you propose for Sony. Here is an excerpt hands on from the MS event in NYC:

Xbox Live Arcade. Guys, they redid arcade, and OMG. It is going to rock the world. I am serious. They’ve got tons of indy developers submitting games to be released on arcade, and these titles are actually good! We’re talking old school gaming, with new school graphics. I played some of these for HOURS. And NOW it will actually catch on. Anyone with an internet connection can download trial versions of the games, and then purchase with credit card, or with a gamercard that is purchased from a store. Games will be cheaper than they are currently, and apparently they’ve got a section dedicated to emulated coin-op arcade games. Several of the big arcade machine companies have started submitting titles to be released. I honestly, and I really mean this, don’t know how Nintendo’s online plan can compete. Nintendo will be re-releasing their old titles for play, but Xbox live arcade will have old emulated titles AND new titles being released all the time. You wanted innovation? It’s here guys. Here is where people will get to experiment with new ideas, with new gameplay, and submit their work to MS, and have it published through XBL Arcade. Microsoft did it right this time. In addition to anyone being able to purchase and play XBL arcade titles, you can bring the games with you anywhere on a memcard. Yes, you can copy a purchased game onto a memory card and bring it with you and play. "

Many of the games will be online too. From Jesiatha in the NYC X05 thread:

Make a demo on the PC and then contact MS.

Joe - yes, many of the XBLA games will be online.

Nice.

 

[Kuroyume]

Sorry to be offtopic, but Kuyrome, what the heck is your avatar from?

And, uh, yeah, downloadable games for the PS3 would be real nice, especially if they can up the textures and whatnot.

Shakira's La Tortura video... you can check it out at ShakiraMedia.com.

 

[Razoric]

I think MS Live Arcade is a better plan than what Nintendo has for downloads and what you propose for Sony. Here is an excerpt hands on from the MS event in NYC:

That is seriously the coolest thing MS has ever done. Not only will I be using XBLA like crazy but I'll also be submitting some games to it in the next few years.

 

[soundwave05]

Nintendo is saying they're looking at upgrading older titles for the network with features like new graphics (for the original Super Mario Bros. for instance) and things like online modes for older titles.

That pretty much blows the shit out of MS' "retro arcade".

 

[HomerSimpson-Man]

I think MS Live Arcade is a better plan than what Nintendo has for downloads and what you propose for Sony. Here is an excerpt hands on from the MS event in NYC:



Many of the games will be online too. From Jesiatha in the NYC X05 thread:



Nice.

Okay, that's sounds cool.

 

[Andrew2]

I was thinking about this the other day... PSone backward compatability is nice and all, but access to PSone games is virtually nonexistant in today's market (at least in America). I actually think adding a download service on PlayStation 3 to play old PSone would be a pretty good move for SCEI, it'd take away one of Nintendo's bullet point advantages and it'd likely create a nice extra revenue stream (with virtually no added costs)... it'd make me get one over a 360 anyway. Thoughts?

Such a thing was actually in the spec-sheet for SCEJ' Playstation BB service. Heres proof:

 

[Mrbob]

Soundwave you just don't get it.

With the advent of broadband, downloading PS1 games shouldn't take long at all. You are probably looking at 15-30 minute download time for most games.

 

[GitarooMan]

but access to PSone games is virtually nonexistant in today's market (at least in America). I actually think adding a download service on PlayStation 3 to play old PSone would be a pretty good move for SCEI, it'd take away one of Nintendo's bullet point advantages and it'd likely create a nice extra revenue stream (with virtually no added costs)... it'd make me get one over a 360 anyway. Thoughts?

I think the idea is fine, but the vast majority of PSone games are easy to find today if you want to.

 

[Razoric]

Such a thing was actually in the spec-sheet for SCEJ' Playstation BB service. Heres proof:

Whoa nice!

 

[Agent X]

I was thinking about this the other day... PSone backward compatability is nice and all, but access to PSone games is virtually nonexistant in today's market (at least in America). I actually think adding a download service on PlayStation 3 to play old PSone would be a pretty good move for SCEI, it'd take away one of Nintendo's bullet point advantages and it'd likely create a nice extra revenue stream (with virtually no added costs)... it'd make me get one over a 360 anyway. Thoughts?

I'd like to see a game download service, but I don't know if it would be feasible to offer old PS1 games for download yet (unless they somehow packaged a very high capacity hard drive with the system). Since the PS3 will be able to play PS1 discs anyway, I'd rather they get to work on emulating older cartridge-based systems like Atari 2600, Intellivision, Genesis, TurboGrafx-16, etc., or perhaps some of the early computers, and then offer those games for download on the PS3. They should also offer some simple puzzle games and parlor games, like what Microsoft attempted with X-Box Live Arcade--but of course without requiring a separate service connection fee on top of game download charges like Microsoft does.

Perhaps Sony could team up with the GameTap folks on a cooperative effort to create a PS3 version of the GameTap service. It might be even easier for them to maintain, since the PS3 platform will generally be uniform and stable compared to the multitude of PC configurations.

 

[Azrael]

Flash cards will only be able to hold a couple PSOne games on them, and there won't be enough HDD owners on PS3 to make such a service lucrative. Besides, most 3D games of that era have aged pretty horribly, and only a handful of 2D games like Point Blank, Castlevania SotN and Alundra still hold up well.

I do hope Sony sees the value of small (maybe 100-200 MB) downloadable games as an alternative to retail for indy games though, like MS is doing with X-Box Live Arcade. Games like Alien Hominid flop at retail, but distribute them online with much less overhead, and offer them for $10-$20, and I think there's a real market there that allows for more innovation.