IBM Talks Backwards Compatibility, Processor for PS3
Backward compatibility has been a major catchphrase of the next-gen consoles. Now, PlayStation 3 has its say on the issue.
Reed’s Electronic News talked with Tom Reeves, VP of semiconductor and technology services at IBM, about backwards compatibility testing on the PS3 and about IBM’s co-designed Cell processor, used in the PS3.
When asked about how the Cell will affect backwards compatibility, Reeves said: “Sony is very concerned about quality and backward compatibility. They want to get this right. They tested game after game after game. When there were about 40 PlayStation 1 games that didn’t work properly, that didn’t pass their criteria for quality.”
The Cell will feature eight cores, seven of which will be used by the PS3. Reeves said that if one of these cores fail: “It’s just like a reliability failure on your TV or DVD recorder. If it’s within warranty, you send it back. If it’s not, your game doesn’t work anymore.”
So, maybe the PS3 will excel at backwards compatibility, where other next-gen consoles have lacked a bit. As for the cores…we’ll have to wait and see.
Backward compatibility has been a major catchphrase of the next-gen consoles. Now, PlayStation 3 has its say on the issue.
Reed’s Electronic News talked with Tom Reeves, VP of semiconductor and technology services at IBM, about backwards compatibility testing on the PS3 and about IBM’s co-designed Cell processor, used in the PS3.
When asked about how the Cell will affect backwards compatibility, Reeves said: “Sony is very concerned about quality and backward compatibility. They want to get this right. They tested game after game after game. When there were about 40 PlayStation 1 games that didn’t work properly, that didn’t pass their criteria for quality.”
The Cell will feature eight cores, seven of which will be used by the PS3. Reeves said that if one of these cores fail: “It’s just like a reliability failure on your TV or DVD recorder. If it’s within warranty, you send it back. If it’s not, your game doesn’t work anymore.”
So, maybe the PS3 will excel at backwards compatibility, where other next-gen consoles have lacked a bit. As for the cores…we’ll have to wait and see.
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