No DLC for PS2 backwards compatibility planned

Europe‘s new PS3 40GB model was rumored to have no backwards compatibility with PS2 titles. Not long after this was confirmed to be true. Though SCEE remains adamant about trying to stay focused on “developing innovative new features and services for the PS3 and not backward compatibility,” Nick Sharples remains positive about their decision to exclude the PS2 backwards compatibility from the new 40GB model.

Upon being asked by Joystiq whether some form of software emulation could be incorporated in the future, Nick Sharples had this to say:

We have no plans to do so at the moment. The sheer numbers of PS2 titles available, together with the increased complexity of using a software only solution for each and every title means that to ensure accurate software emulation for the majority would be technically challenging, time consuming and costly.

Do note that the question here is software emulation. Sharples clarifies that, to begin with, PS2 compatibility in the other older models is done via semiconductors (yes, we’re talking hardware) also used on the PS2. These semiconductors were taken out of the 40GB model. Thus, to quote Sharples again, “backwards compatibility would therefore have to be achieved by software emulation alone.”

Europe‘s new PS3 40GB model was rumored to have no backwards compatibility with PS2 titles. Not long after this was confirmed to be true. Though SCEE remains adamant about trying to stay focused on “developing innovative new features and services for the PS3 and not backward compatibility,” Nick Sharples remains positive about their decision to exclude the PS2 backwards compatibility from the new 40GB model.

Upon being asked by Joystiq whether some form of software emulation could be incorporated in the future, Nick Sharples had this to say:

We have no plans to do so at the moment. The sheer numbers of PS2 titles available, together with the increased complexity of using a software only solution for each and every title means that to ensure accurate software emulation for the majority would be technically challenging, time consuming and costly.

Do note that the question here is software emulation. Sharples clarifies that, to begin with, PS2 compatibility in the other older models is done via semiconductors (yes, we’re talking hardware) also used on the PS2. These semiconductors were taken out of the 40GB model. Thus, to quote Sharples again, “backwards compatibility would therefore have to be achieved by software emulation alone.”