Blogcritics on why U.S. PS3 will lose backward compatibility

Emotion Engine - Image 1According to Blogcritics’ writer Mark Buckingham, Sony Computer of America (SCEA) has indeed removed backward compatibility on U.S. 80GB systems, effectively throwing U.S. PS3 owners into the same boat as their European counterparts.

In his article posted in Blogcritics, the Emotion Engine used in launch consoles (and enabled PS1 and PS2 games to run on the PS3) was eschewed in favor of software emulation for the newer 80GB PS3 units that will eventually replace the 60GB SKUs available in the market today. Sony’s official reason for dropping backward compatibility on the PS3 is to concentrate on new games, new content both on the PS3 as well as PlayStation Network.

Buckingham was disappointed in the fact that Sony chose to focus more on delivering better content on its current system, in the expense of taking out an existing feature to lower costs. With PS3 SKUs that have the Emotion Engine already phased out, or will be eventually phased out in favor of the Emotion-less 80GB SKUs – there is no escaping from the newer non-backwards compatible PS3s. There is still hope though, as PS2 compatibility can still be attained through software updates.

We’ll bring you more updates on this as they come, so be sure to check back.

Emotion Engine - Image 1According to Blogcritics’ writer Mark Buckingham, Sony Computer of America (SCEA) has indeed removed backward compatibility on U.S. 80GB systems, effectively throwing U.S. PS3 owners into the same boat as their European counterparts.

In his article posted in Blogcritics, the Emotion Engine used in launch consoles (and enabled PS1 and PS2 games to run on the PS3) was eschewed in favor of software emulation for the newer 80GB PS3 units that will eventually replace the 60GB SKUs available in the market today. Sony’s official reason for dropping backward compatibility on the PS3 is to concentrate on new games, new content both on the PS3 as well as PlayStation Network.

Buckingham was disappointed in the fact that Sony chose to focus more on delivering better content on its current system, in the expense of taking out an existing feature to lower costs. With PS3 SKUs that have the Emotion Engine already phased out, or will be eventually phased out in favor of the Emotion-less 80GB SKUs – there is no escaping from the newer non-backwards compatible PS3s. There is still hope though, as PS2 compatibility can still be attained through software updates.

We’ll bring you more updates on this as they come, so be sure to check back.

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