Backward compatibility has been a source of much deliberation on the PlayStation 4. The complex architecture of the current PlayStation 3 means that it will be practically impossible for Sony to emulate the system on its next generation console, leaving legacy support on the chopping block. However, the firm’s high-profile acquisition of video game streaming service Gaikai has always seemed like a possible solution for the functionality – and the Wall Street Journal has further supported those claims in a brand new report.
According to the publication, the platform holder will reveal its new streaming service during next week’s PlayStation Meeting. The technology will debut alongside the manufacturer’s next console, and will allow users to play PS3 titles on the impending system. There’s no mention of pricing, but it’s unlikely that the feature will be free. We suspect that you’ll be able to rent games, which will then be available ‘on-demand’.
The Wall Street Journal adds that a number of fresh innovations will debut alongside the new machine itself on 20th February. The system will apparently come with a higher-fidelity camera that will work alongside PlayStation Move tracking technology, which may well be baked into the primary controller this time around. It also reiterated that the input device will feature a touchpad, as recent leaks have shown.
Is video game streaming something that you're interested in? Will you have enough bandwidth to take advantage of the feature? Let us know in the comments section below.
[source online.wsj.com]
Comments 16
Yea.. I'll be keeping my ps3 just incase
Seems Nintendo are the only ones that realise now days people like backwards compatibly.. Tho they lack the concept of "Region lock is bad" which sony get right, I guess we can't have everything
honestly i don't really care about backwards compatibility because i never sell my old consoles i still use my PS1 to play PS1 games i still use my PS2 to play PS2 games and once the PS4 is out i will still use my PS3 to play PS3 games
but i can understand why some would want it because some people do sell their old consoles to fund the new ones it's just i don't
@Placlu Nintendo's systems are never really more powerful than the last, so backwards compatibility is easy for them to do.
Backwards compatibility = not that big a deal. Renting games on your console? = genius.
I'd love to see some ps3 streaming to the vita now through the more powerful ps4. And do you think they somehow plan to identify what ps3 games you own or something like that? Maybe you could only stream the ones you bought digitally?
I like to being able to play old good games by using the same platform, and I agree Gaikai might be the right thing, something I hope they will throughly discuss since I don't really know how will it work.
Omg please let ps3/vita remote play actually work. That'd srsly be a big, shiny nail in xbox's coffin. Maybe you can "install" your game discs to the cloud too?
Maybe the ps4 could recognize which ps3 disc you put into it, even if it can't play it. I don't know if that's possible but it would be the way to prove you own it every time you want to stream it.
@Squiggle55 The real genius of this is that it could potentially allow you to stream PlayStation's entire back catalogue on any device you own. It's not hard to imagine this allowing you to play PS3 games on Facebook, tablets, smartphones, and more. Obviously those platforms aren't going to be the ideal environment, but the markets are now so big, that this could give the platform holder an in-road.
If they make every game fromm the PS1 and 2 available through Gaikai, I don't know what I would do. Being able to access the entire PS1, 2 and 3 back catatlogue of games, would ensure that the PS4 is a resounding success.
Uh oh I started a debate whoops
I only like backwards compatibly cause it means i can unplug that console, and play on the new shiny thing! I learnt my lesson on trading in stuff when i was like 9 and traded all my gameboy games away... idiot.
@get2sammyb That would seriously mess with console sales for PS3 and the playstation image. Plus I think controlling a lot of games would be literally immpossible to do on a smartphone. Making Uncharted available on a tablet would be disasterous for Sony.
For me personally backwards compatabilty won't really matter since I will jsust keep my PS3. Plus I won't have to worry about my games and saves on my PS3 taking up space on my new PS4 then.
Game rental is something I wish had happened on the current gen systems. I can rent a movie that "deletes" after two days but not a game?
Would it be so hard/costly for Sony to stuff a PSone, Emotion, and Cell engine in the PS4? Ha!
This will be awesome! Can't wait to hear more about this...
Would be great if we could play PS 1, 2 and 3 games on the PS4 with Gaikai. Just be ready, it will probably be rolled into PS Plus subscription as a added feature. You know it's coming. A bunch of free games, streaming music and movies, and improved multi-player enhancements will be well worth it.
@Squiggle55 I really like the idea of having the PS4 recognize a PS3 disk (for proof of ownership) and then streaming it. Hope that it can happen and that bandwidth demands don't make the whole thing too difficult for most people...
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