Bad news for European PS3 fans

[Renmiri]

FFXII plays great on my American PS3

See the Bahamut scene (Mega Spoiler) to see it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-Ds4y_xBnk

On the topic, Sony is being stupid! Definitely a bad PR, even if the compatibility is flawless.

[Psychotic]

armchair economist.

It's a good book!

I wasn't going to get one right off the bat anyway. Sony will eventually realise what a silly idea this is, and put it right, and then I'll think about getting one.

[Madame Adequate]

Oh, I'll enlighten you alright. I'll enlighten you by saying that I entirely misunderstood what you said up there.

I thought you were being sarcastic.

I was, but because I thought you were saying they had a really bad track record on it.

[Roto13]

Oh, I'll enlighten you alright. I'll enlighten you by saying that I entirely misunderstood what you said up there. :(

I thought you were being sarcastic. :(

I was, but because I thought you were saying they had a really bad track record on it. :(

*head explodes*

[Mirage]

So just order an American PS3 for less money.

Then you can only play NTSC PS1 and PS2 games, making backward compatibility pretty useless to an European. Same when bluray movies get here.

[Dreddz]

If people are able to mod the PS3 in time, Im sure to get that instead.

[McLovin']

So just order an American PS3 for less money.

Then you can only play NTSC PS1 and PS2 games, making backward compatibility pretty useless to an European. Same when bluray movies get here.

Then also order the games from America.

[Maxico]

Then also order the games from America.

So instead of buying a console with gimped backwards compatability, buy a console with no backwards compatability for all the games you own?

That's flawless logic, right there.

[McLovin']

...

Buy American PS3.

Order American PS3 games.

Use a transformer.

I do this just fine.

[UltimaMasamune]

...
It depends on what they do with it to be honest.

Right now, the PS3 in the US and Japan has the EE+GS from the slimline PS2. It, just as the PS2 slimline does, runs PS1 titles on software emulation already I believe. This hardware compatibility means that pretty much 98% of the titles release for the PS3 in the US and Japan run. Thats well over 10,000 titles. Now, however, they are removing that hardware in favor of software emulation for PS1 and PS2 titles. What this means is cheaper production costs for the PS3, and eventual price drops. It was also in the cards from day 01 if you believe Krazy Ken. Hardware BC as it is now was used since the software emulation wasn't complete yet. This can mean one of two things. The BC will be worse, or the BC will be amazingly better.

Software emulation means, more than likely, less titles will be supported. I would bet all the AAA games are going to make it, but don't expect something like say... Cabela's Big Game Hunt 4 to make the cut. Software emulation also opens up the possibilites of HD upscaling, AA, or other features. If Sony is serious about BC, come March we may be able to play Final Fantasy XII in 720p or even 1080p glory. I really hope this is the route they go, because BC IS important.

It shoudl also be noted that this change my indeed effect everyone else in the world. In the next firmware update Sony may disable eveyrone's PS2 hardware inside the PS3 and force software emulation on everybody. This would make updates easier on them, or they may offer a switch for people who have the hardware, to choose which they wish to use for their BC. But I see this hardware change happening for all future Japan or US models as well. Hopefully their emulator has been in the works for a while, and is ready to go, with these possible upgrades.

So until it release, we need to see the level of support, and we need to see what options we are given. If its bare bones, few title emulation, then I will be upset.
I do this just fine.

not to mention the fact that the PSP can run almost all PS1 games perfectly through software emulation

[Roto13]

...

Buy American PS3.

Order American PS3 games.

Use a transformer.

I do this just fine.

Wow. Just... wow.

That would mean you'd have to pay extra for every game and the backwards compatibility would be even worse because none of your PAL games would work on it.

[UltimaMasamune]

Also I don't consider it bad news, like OnslaughtX said this can improve the games like viewing them in full HD or improve load times

[McLovin']

Wow just wow.

The games are American not PAL.

American games work fine on an American PS....

[Slothy]

Wow just wow.

The games are American not PAL.

American games work fine on an American PS....

Except you really don't get the point here. Yes imported American games will work just fine on an imported American PS3. All the games they bought over the years for the PSX and PS2 in the PAL format won't though. Therefore, buying an American PS3 does nothing to get around initial BC issues since they don't have North American PSX or PS2 games. Is that clear enough now?

[Bunny]

Dear Europeans,

You should've won the war.

Sincerly,
America

P.S. Hahahahhahahaha


Is this a bad post? I'm sorry Europe, I feel for you.