Judging by the response when they removed the emotion chip (aptly named) I would say rikitikitik is not the only one concerned. Also they are getting an inferior system as all previous models had this functionality. If they wanted to save money then they should of thought a bit harder before insisting on a Blu Ray drive and the cell processor. Backward compatability in some form is pretty much a given.
@rikitikitik, You're in that small minority. You've got GC as your last gen system. If no PS3 games interest you right now, maybe you should pick up a PS2 if it gets a pricecut too, so many great games.
@Joe80, Well, personally, I don't have a PS2, and the original PS3's back-compatibility was a huge draw for me to buy one once the prices are low enough.
If back-compatibility will indeed be removed, I will feel less compelled to buy one now, and more compelled to buy a PS2 instead, as there are no games for the PS3 that I personally like.
@welshbloke, No big loss then, if it turns out true. Almost every person who's going to buy a PS3 has a PS2, especially people who will purchase a PS3 at this point. What do you mean by a smoke & mirrors pricecut? That a 40gb PS3 with 2 usb ports, no media readers & the PS2 CS chip removed for $399 is not a real price cut? I don't see why thats not a real price cut. The exclusion of those items does not amount to $100, so Sony is dropping the price, not just removing stuff that would equal the price cut amount from the 60gb SKU. I just might pick up a PS3 at that pricepoint, I'd love to see the 80gb get a pricecut to $499 w/no game included.
@Just_Ben, I believe the PS3 would still be able to emulate PS2 games through software if the GS is also removed, however the amount compared to units with the GS would probably drop by some percentage. I wonder if Sony will continue to spend money on software emulation or just settle with what can be done easily. I don't see much reason for them to spend money on BC at this point, anyone who wants to play a PS2 game on a PS3 probably has a PS2 and PS2 will be cheaper new, and even more especially used for years to come.
4 days after appearing in the blueraysaving.com coupon...the new model has disappeared from the site. Now instead of listing 3 models eligible it just says "Playstation 3"
GS is the Graphic Synthesizer(the PS2 graphics chip) and was in the launch PS3 with the Emotion Engine (EE). The EE got removed on EU/80 gigs PS3, the GS however was not. The GS needs some ram with it. Hope the links help, for more ask google, there are plenty information available and all I would do is Google any info you would need.
Not if they take it out. The PS2 emulation was done by 2 chips. The EE (already taken out and done by software) and the GS chip. There are doubts that that can be done with software. This GS chip and the ram it needs stand up for about $40 production cost. If it is taken out (nothing confirmed yet) than this PS3 would have no backward compatibility.
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Judging by the response when they removed the emotion chip (aptly named) I would say rikitikitik is not the only one concerned. Also they are getting an inferior system as all previous models had this functionality. If they wanted to save money then they should of thought a bit harder before insisting on a Blu Ray drive and the cell processor. Backward compatability in some form is pretty much a given.