I’m sure most of you have heard the rumours regarding the supposed forwards compatibility of the next-gen XBox 720. I was just wondering what you all think as to whether the PS4 will feature the same technology also?
Incase you don’t know, forwards compatibility is the ability for the PS4 to play PS3 games at a vastly improved level. We’re not just talking things looking a little better, we’re talking the level of re-draw being vastly improved, or the possibility of multiplayer games being able to feature 32 players online instead of 16 etc. Basically the PS3 game benefits from the extra hardware capabilities of a new system.
I personally think it’s a great idea, giving older games a new lease of life by utilising the extra hardware power of a next-gen console! Currently whenever i go to play my old PS1 or PS2 games on my PS3 I get bored after just a few minutes because they instantly look so dated. Having forward compatibility will eliminate this. Software houses may decide to release new DLC for the game which fully utilises the extra hardware.
I guess perhaps one reason why Sony may decide not to do this would be a lack of revenue, as people may not be so eager to buy new games if their old ones are getting a new lease of life!
Feel free to discuss until your hearts content about the possibility of this feature over at our forums!
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Never heard of forward compatibility till you mentioned it now. It’s an interesting idea that Sony should look in to. I guess it’s like PC games where they get better quality graphics depending on the spec of the hardware.
I don’t think Sony will do this due to effecting games purchased in the future and also the extra work needed to make this happen on the current games.
I don’t think the extra work on current games is too hard though. It’s exactly what PC games developers have been doing for years, having multiple levels of graphics depending on the system spec of the PC.
The only difference is that the end users here won’t be able to change the level at which graphics are displayed, it will just happen automatically when you insert a PS3 disk into a PS4.
Forward compatibility would mean PS4 games could be played on a PS3, what the XBOX is doing is enhancing backwards compatibility. (although they are marketing it as forward compatibility)
Foward compatibility!? sound like a fake PIPE DREAM! How can you make a last gen game look and run better on nextgen console, without redesigning the whole game from the ground up? Through software PATCHES and CONTENT upgrades? HAH!! I belive it when I see it.
Of course you can do it! Think pc games. The developers always make games where graphics settings can be altered according to the users pc spec. It would just work the same way, as the ps4 comes out developers can allow graphics to be increased. With the way sony works consoles it’s inevitable that the ps3 and 4 will overlap and therefore be perfect for this type of thing.
Paul