I highly anticipate that it won't be backwards compatible simply because the PS3 uses the cell processor and PS4 won't. As much as they struggled with getting ps2 compatibility, they won't likely get there for PS3.
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Not surprising, I'd say it's a given it wont be backwards compatible. They're using a completely different architecture this time around. I'll never understand why they went with the cell for the PS3. The only thing it did was cause them to bleed money and lead to the 360 getting much better multiplatform games.
I'd find it highly surprising if either console is backwards compatible. It's just not that big of a worry for consoles anymore.
More baseless speculation:
http://youtu.be/rHWNx4RApZA
I disagree. I think it's a bigger problem than in the past.
1) It saves converts a lot of money if we can trade in our old console towards it knowing we can still play all of our old games on it. Without it you have to keep both consoles plugged in your TV and save no money. I expect these consoles to get off to sluggish starts so the PS3 and 360 will still have a long life yet.
2) These new games aren't going to be much better. Not having backwards compatible never bothered me from the PS1 to the PS2 because the graphical improvements were so crazy and most games were so much better you never wanted to look back. But this will be the smallest improvement in graphics we have ever seen. I also see very few hardware limitations on the current systems that prevent the games from being better. EA's football games aren't going to be better on the PS4 unless they get better programmers. 95% of the problems with the current games are AI related due to poor design and programming. I think many people will want the option of playing their older games which may be better than the new games if this gen is any indication.
While that's mostly true, there are hardware limitations that prevent them from taking them to the next level... as is now, they essentially have to spend every year trying to squeeze out an extra KB of disc space or save RAM here & there, etc. With these new consoles, I'm sure they would eventually max out the limitations but it probably wouldn't be until the 3rd or 4th release.
At the very least, a new console would make menu navigation much better on the PS3 side... the major hold-back is the RAM, that's why it's a pain in the ass to recruit on the console.
More X-Box 720 Rumors
Additional alleged Xbox 720 details have come to light today. Sources speaking to Edge said the platform will require an Internet connection to function and that a new version of Xbox Live will be an "integral" component of Microsoft's new platform. Though Microsoft is reportedly "absolutely committed" to online functionality for its new machine, games will still be offered in physical form, the sources said.
In addition, the sources said games for the new system will ship with activation codes and "have no value beyond the initial user." This falls in line with a report from last year, which said the Xbox 720 could block used games in some way. Analysts do not believe this is likely.
These games will reportedly be manufactured on 50GB Blu-ray discs, an upgrade from the DVD drive the Xbox 360 currently sports. Sony's PlayStation 3 supports Blu-ray, and it has since it was first launched in 2006. Blu-ray disc capacity is significantly greater than that of DVD.
In addition, the sources said Microsoft will ship a new version of Kinect alongside the Xbox 720. No further information was made available, though a previous report said "Kinect V2" could support four-player full-body tracking and allow gamers to sit down while playing. In addition, this technology is believed to adapt to players' living room, meaning they will not need to move furniture for an optimal experience.
Lastly, Edge's source said the previously rumored Xbox 720's specifications will include an AMD eight-core x64 1.6GHz CPU, a D3D11.x 800 MHz graphics solution, and 8GB of DDR3 RAM. At present, the platform's hard drive capacity is still reportedly up in the air.
An Xbox 360 successor is, of course, still unannounced and Microsoft did not comment on this report. It may not be long before that changes, as the platform holder is rumored to announce the Xbox 720 during an Apple-style media presentation in late March, perhaps in conjunction with the 2013 Game Developers Conference.
So no backwards capability in new machines, no renting and no selling or buying of used games? They just added a ton of extra costs to this machine for the user making the transition. No thanks next gen. Come see me when you are under $299 and you have a truly great library of games.
I don't care about not being able to play used games, but they better not require users to be online at all times just to play games. Nothing annoyed me more than not being able to play Diablo 3 unless I was online, so I'm certainly not going to purchase anything that has such a ludicrous requirement again.
While I'm on the topic of Microsoft, I hope they have some exclusives other than Forza, Halo, Gears, and Call of Duty DLC. If you look at this year's offering, you've got Gears of War Judgment(which isn't even a Gears game but rather some sick breeding of Call of Duty, Halo, and Gears all in one) vs God of War Ascension, The Last of Us, Sly 4, The Show, and Beyond.
Considering the PS4 is going back to a more PC like architecture, the 360 will no longer have better 3rd party multiplatform versions of games, so Microsoft's bare bones exclusive library is really going to be a glaring issue if they don't correct it.
Honestly, my PS3 has essentially become an NCAA Football game console. Practically everything else I play on PC. I keep telling myself that I won't jump on the console this year A) because the library will be shallow and B) because I don't know that I'll play it enough to warrant jumping on it early. That said, I told myself that I would wait 6 months on the PS3 but that lasted only a month.
As far as restrictions from consoles allowing you to play rented/used games, I'm hoping that they offer some kind of system that allows you to play any of these games that you don't have an "activation code" for up to a week or so. That way, you could rent games but also take a game over to a friends house. It'd be similar to EA's games allowing you a trial period for online services.
Yeah it will be "interesting" to see how Sony and Microsoft handle these "issues" (used games; online only; etc...). I do not like the concept of having to have an internet connection to play your system especially when Microsoft requires you to pay to play online.
According to the word from some game review website higher ups, everything that is to be known about the two new systems is already known (both systems are "done" hardware wise already).
As for the always online thing, welcome to the new DRM format. It'll be interesting to see how many of your guys that hate the idea do it anyway. Hell, I hate it too, but you gotta get over it. It's happening and unless you don't want to play video games, there's nothing you can do about it.
After the anti-used game report for the next XBOX, Gamestop shares dropped 6.8% today.