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Missing chip? Missing engine? What exactly is going on with the PS3?

by Steven Williamson on 9 March 2007, 12:57

Tags: PlayStation 3, Sony Computers Entertainment Europe (NYSE:SNE), PS3

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Following the announcement a few weeks ago that Sony will utilise a new hardware specification for the European version of the PS3, Japanese newspaper Nikkei have shed some light on the subject.

Backwards compatibility with the PS2 will be limited in Europe due to a chip being removed from the console. The cost cutting move is an attempt to claw back some of the cost of the production of the PS3, which is currently costing the company every time a console sells in the US and Japan. The whole issue is still hazy, thanks to Sony's blanket ban on any developers talking about the console and the only details we know about the missing chip is that it is a 'Sony-made microchip that offers graphic- and data-processing functions for PS2 games'. Is this in addition to the Emotion Engine which Sony say they have removed from the European console? We have no idea. In fact, things are getting more confusing by the day when it comes to the PS3.

It's not all bad news though, Nikkei are reporting that Sony may distribute software emulation that will enable us to play our PS2 games.

Hopefully, Sony will step forward and make an official announcement to the world shortly so we can all clean up this mess.

Source :: Washington Post


HEXUS Forums :: 17 Comments

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PS4? You mean PS3 :)

I am probably being ignorant and missing the point, but i cant see what al the fuss is about regarding backwards compatibility. Most people who want to play PS2 games have a PS2 and if i had a PS3, i would only want to play all the spanking new PS3 stuff. Surely there can't be that many people who are that bothered, no?
^
There must be hundreds of potential PS3 owners who don't want to have swap consoles every time they want to play a PS3 game.

“Good news though, there's an emulator available” wonder how much that'll cost :(
autopilot
PS4? You mean PS3 :)

I am probably being ignorant and missing the point, but i cant see what al the fuss is about regarding backwards compatibility. Most people who want to play PS2 games have a PS2 and if i had a PS3, i would only want to play all the spanking new PS3 stuff. Surely there can't be that many people who are that bothered, no?

I think you're right. Initially it's great having BC. When Xbox 360 launched many people traded in their Xbox and thought that games would immediately work on the Xbox 360. They didn't and people were annoyed initially. Personally, I think that soon disappears and I soon forgot about those Xbox games I used to play.

I'm sure it will blow over, but say for example for those people who've bought Final Fantasy XII, it would be nice to just put the PS2 aside and put it straight into the PS3.

I think it's more of an issue of we're not getting what other regions are and are still paying for it. I'm sure once the PS3 is released the backwards compatibility issue will disappear after a month or so.

It's no big deal really.
Steven W;1023598
It's no big deal really.

That sums up the PS3 nicely :mrgreen:
mycarsavw
^
There must be hundreds of potential PS3 owners who don't want to have swap consoles every time they want to play a PS3 game.

That pretty much explains why Sony have made the decision then :D