PS3 to jettison backwards compatibility in order to launch this decade? Taking a tilt at the rumor mill. [update1]

by Vladimir Cole { Oct 20th 2005 at 10:00PM }

Standing PS3 from E3 2005 Here's the full text of an Xbox ~~rumor~~ fanboytasy that Sony is ready to ditch backwards-compatibility in order to get the PS3 out the door in the spring (Japan) and fall (USA, Europe) of next year.

Nice stuff leaked right into my drive: In order to meet launch in spring the ps3 will feature a drive that will only be able to read single layer BD disks and will not be compatible with DVD and CDROM's This means that backwards compatibility is sacrificed in order to reach launch date Another problem sony is facing now is a backlash from the movie industry who want multilayer disks for additional content, these disks will not be playable on the ps3 PS3 lauch spring : only Japan (so the strange drives with no backward comp would only affect these machines! Probably not even all of them!) autumn /summer: USA, october november: PAL

Really, this is just hogwash, but even though it's fabricated there are still some nuggets of truth in it. As a general product development strategy, dropping features can accelerate launch timelines assuming that it doesn't take longer to yank a feature out than it would take to finish shoehorning it in.

It's not just Sony, either. We've actually heard numerous indications that Microsoft was really leaning on developers to cut game features in order to have a broad list of launch titles available for the release of the Xbox 360. That's why some fans and critics have noticed that some upcoming games for the Xbox 360 aren't all that visually impressive.

Update: it's fake. There will be surprises unveiled about both the Xbox and PS3, to be sure. The best we can do is keep our eyes open.

[Thanks, Master x 24. Via Gamers Reports]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

jc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

as far as rumors go, this is a doozie... but it is just a rumor

vrf @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

Something suddenly makes sense to me. I'd been hearing some buzz about developers burning BD versions of PS2 games to test them on their PS3 dev kits. I was like, why the hell would they want to do that? This seems to connect the dots, if in any way true. The disk won't be compatible, but the system will still run a PS2 game if it's ported to the new format.

Yes, just wild speculation, here. Backwards compatibility is what one factor that put Sony on top. I'm sure they wouldn't be stupid to give it up to get the system out the door early.

Then again, this IS Sony we're talking about...

CrAzY American @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

I would laugh so fucking hard if this turns out to be true. All the people raging on the 360 for its "semi" back compat. capabilies and Sony is dropping it completely.

(even though this is a rumor, and i personally hope it is backwards compat)

LaughingTarget @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

Sounds a bit far fetched.

Though, if it does come up, will anyone really go out of their way to buy a BluRay burned PS2 game? It'll no doubt be expensive, and if it is an older game, much much more expensive. Besides, publishers are not likely going to waste manufacture capacity to re-release an old direct port.

Slashbunny @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

Ok, so Sony is going to make the ultimate home media center super computer of all time and it won't be able to play CDs and DVDs? Bullshit.

Andrew @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

Sony is really killing theirselves with the PS3, I was fans of PS1 and PS2, but i dont think i will be buying the PS3... Xbox 360 will do it for me.

Shapyi @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

Well this is just a rumor. Until Sony confirms this (which they won't until the last minute if its true), I'm not going to believe some forum guy.

But its a possibility, sometimes features need to be drop to meet release schedule. Until its confirmed, its just a rumor. I have a PS2, I have a PSX, although playing old games on PS3 would be great, I don't really need to. I don't mind having 2 consoles setup, I usually have about 5 out anyway.

Joel @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

It isn't even a rumor. If you bother to read the whole thread, the original poster admits to making up the whole thing about the rumor coming from an EA email.

The original rumor came from a guy who posts on the OA, a very pro-xbox, anti Sony site, and sounded a whole lot more like B.S. :

Allow me to cut and paste a debunking thread on IGN PS3 Forum:

---

Here's the original post that started the rumor:

Hey69 Breaks The Media Again: Ps3 Downgrade Total
October 20, 2005, 12:30 AM - In order to meet launch in spring the ps3 will feature a drive that will only be able to read single layer BD disks and will not be compatible with DVD and CDROM'sThis means that backwards compatibility is sacrificed in order to reach launch date

Another problem sony is facing now is a backlash from the movie industry who want multilayer disks for additional content, these disks will not be playable on the ps3

PS3 lauch spring : only Japan
autumn /summer: USA
october november : PAL

SFAGS & DOC ROC OWNED

DOC ROC OWNED REIROM PISS BRAZILCHICABLOOD,FISHIE OWNED

----------------------------------------------------------------

source: Ken Kutaragi stolen laptop

thats it for now
ps3 fans will be happy

GAF CAN COPY NOW!

http://opa-ages.com/?bomba=article&id=43186

If you read to the last page on the Beyond 3d forum thread, you'd find this:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Teddman:

The original source of this rumor is not London-Boy's Beyond 3D forum post, but a post by Hey69 at OA. Same guy who revealed the Giga Pack yesterday before it was officially announced.

Originally Posted by hey69:
That guy on Beyond3d asked me permission and I gave it!
good news has to be spread out.

Originally Posted by hey69:
because that guy has an absolute big credit and postcount over there.
they would ban me for trolling if I where to post that.

fake?

---

and then the poster even admits it was B.S.:

Posted by london-boy
DAMN WE GOT CAUGHT!

OK the story was, hey69 pm'ed me the "leak", i asked him if i could post it and make the forum a bit more exciting, he agreed.

I mean... you guys didn't really think i slept with an EA employee to get the info did u?!

... did u????

guys!!!

---

Quote:
Originally Posted by xbdestroya
Well L-B since you've been 'caught,' can you go a little further into it all? Assuming you guys have been in touch (ridiculing us all!) throughout the day that is.

That's all there is to it. The leak is what i quoted. It apparently comes from an EA internal document and the guy sent it to hey69. Personally i think it's bullshit, but it was very fun to see everyone go mad, and PC-Engine actually constructing his argumentations supporting the leak!!

---

So we can all see that this was B.S. But not Joystiq. Joystiq will print any rumor concerning the PS3. Sometimes, they'll even print it twice.

I can't wait to read this one again in three weeks, like they did with the still-unconfirmed "Sony is losing developers" rumor.

^zeta^ @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

Surre, that's why 360 games look bad..

The1 @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

One thing about a rumor in the game industry is that there is always some TRUTH to it. I know if this is the case, this will drive the PS2 fanbase crazy.

dil do @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

we will have to wait for the http://www.ps3grill.com/

vc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

Joel: London-Boy is the original poster. I just scanned the entire thread and he never admits (not yet) to making it up. Do you have a link to this admission?

JPRacer @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

I take this rumour with a grain of salt... But Sony is known to not deliver.

Jason @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

As a person who is going to buy the 360 in a month with limited backwards compat(sold the current one to help pay for the next one) im a little worried about this post. I wanted the ps3 for the blue ray movie player, but i have over 200 ps1 and ps2 games that I would love to play on the thing. Im going to buy all the next gen systems ( I hope) and I want BC for all of them.
Lets hope this is BS.

EdFanMH @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

If this rumor is true, a part of me just died on the inside.

LaughingTarget @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

You know, as Shapyi said above, is backwards compatibility really that big a deal? Sure, it is great to have a large library at launch, but how many of us at this point in the PS2 timeframe still play PS1 games on it? Been a long while since I did that last, and I don't have a PS1 to play on. Same thing with my GBA or DS backwards compatibility. After a while, I find myself not ever playing it again.

To be frank, I would prefer they leave backwards compatibility out and release it faster and cheaper.

Joel @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

RE #12 vc:

Joel: London-Boy is the original poster. I just scanned the entire thread and he never admits (not yet) to making it up. Do you have a link to this admission?

Sure thing vc. The post is on page 5 of the thread. Here's a direct link:

http://www.beyond3d.com/forum/showpost.php?p=601780&postcount=120

---
Posted by: london-boy on 20-Oct-2005, 20:52

DAMN WE GOT CAUGHT!

OK the story was, hey69 pm'ed me the "leak", i asked him if i could post it and make the forum a bit more exciting, he agreed.

I mean... you guys didn't really think i slept with an EA employee to get the info did u?!

... did u????

guys!!!

---

There you go. Hope that helps.

sxates @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

Is it part of the BlueRay spec that it can't play standard DVDs as well? That makes no sense. I mean, I know it's a blue laser and all, but am I seriously going to have to have two disc players for new movies, and dvds I already own?

If backwards compatibility with DVDs is part of the blueray spec, then this rumor would have to be false it seems.

vc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

Then he goes on to say:

"That's all there is to it. The leak is what i quoted. It apparently comes from an EA internal document and the guy sent it to hey69."

Highly dubious.

John @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

This is total BS. The last time I read the Specifications on Blu-Ray it comes with built in DVD compatibility.

Besides Sony, Hitachi, JVC, LG, Mitsubishi and at least 3 other companies already have BLU-RAY Players/Recorders that play/record DVDs these are available now in Japan. They look great and I am jumping at the BDP 9000 by Philips as soon as it hits the US.

And before this turns into a Disc format flame war... HD-DVD has been spec'ed out to do this as well.

G Unit @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

Oh i see how it works....

Xbox 360 doesn't have full back compatability, and flamers flame bout how that is the worst thing anyone could do to a console.

Now, the ps3 might not have backwards compatability (read: posibility, rumor), and its ok, not really that big of a deal

I love how ppl (ps fanatics) flip flop on their positions so much. Wasn't there a presidential candidate that lost that did that (flip flop)?....well thats irrelivant.

I hope sony has the same fate

Dralt @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

There we go again...break away from the past, embrace the future...you'll live longer...

If you want to re-play your old favorite Xbox games, keep your Xbox around for another year.

If you want to re-play your old favorite PS2 games, keep your PS2 around for another year.

Anyway, the new consoles will have better looking and better playing sequels for each of your old favorite games.

Fishie @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

This actually originated from me.
Here is my post on OA about it all:
So last night I decided to do something I rarely, if ever do.
Use a straw man to break an embargoed news release.
That was off course the PSP gigapack news.
Waited long enough so it wouldnt be that big of a deal and it couldnt spread too much before that news went public.

I contacted Hey69(who is a distant relative of mine) and asked him to alter the pic and put Fishie and Reirom OWNED on it.
Predictably some Sony fanboys on GAF claimed it to be fake, man do they have egg on their faces now.

With the newfound credibility Hey69 was enjoying when the news finally became officially I decided to abuse him by feeding him fake news and post it here as well.
That being the single layer none backwards compatible BD in PS3 off course.
After doing that and have him post it here I went to bed and sleep.
While I was sleeping it spread.

Hey69 himself doesnt know that news is fake yet since I have not told him.

You have all been OWNZORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRD.
________________________

From OA it spread to Gaming Age and from there it spread here apparently.
Below is the reason behind this: http://www.ga-forum.com/showthread.php?t=67966&page=4&pp=50

as a reaction to this: One thing I don't get is why Fishie would leak NDAd stuff, and then admit breaking the NDA publicly.

Now, if he really leaked it like he claims and had an NDA to him, it's pretty easy to teach him some respect to NDAs. The pack in picture was British. Just send a recap of the leak and it's reasons to the British SCEE PR rep. Companies have ways to deal with idiots. These ways include, but are not limited to

1. sueing
2. not giving further coverage to journalist in question
3. telling your PR mates in couple of other companies while you are it
4. all of the above

EDIT: I just read the OA thread in question. I think he is bullshitting. He really can't be that stupid to break an NDA to "own" somebody in OA... or can he?
_________________________________________

Reaction from Fishie:Generally I do respect NDA�s, as a guest writer for NGamer, XBox mag, Official PS2 mag and over a dozen other magazines and websites it would be suicide if I didnt.
As I stated before, I leaked this late enough so it wouldnt spread too much before official confirmation came as part of a social study in internet behaviour(thank you, you guys didnt let me down and provided me with plenty of material for an upcoming article), part of this experiment was the outrageous PS3 claims posted by the same guy who had just been proven right by the earlier leak and gauge reactions on that and again GAF, OA and others provided me with plenty of research material.

As for actually breaking an NDA, one was never signed.
The press release was embargoed till 2am NYc time though(7am London) and from my chats with people at EGM, 1up and Gamespy I was surprised to learn that unlike me they had not been filled in yet by Sony.

Sony will not sue me for this experiment and I doubt it will change my relationship with them in any way.

jc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

Sounds like some little kid is up past his bedtime... and taking way too much riddlin.

SHEDT @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

HAHA REIROM OWN INTERNETS

FISHIE AM ROCK

Guillermo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

Maybe the rumour was started because of this article in IGN. http://ps2.ign.com/articles/659/659949p1.html
The new silver Slimline ps2 incompatible with some PS2 and PS1 titles (Tekken 5 included). That sucks

xbuxx @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

"it's info i got from a very reliable source at EA. If you don't believe it, just DON'T. I'm not sure i believe it myself. "

well I don't believe it... your source is really reliable.

man these xbox fanboys never stop with the great rumors...

Guillermo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

What concerns me is, if the new silver slimline PS2 does not have full compatibility with some PS2 and PS1 titles, how they are going to implement 100% compatibility with all PS2 and PS1 as they are promising in the PS3.

D @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

Wow youse are getting worse than The Inquirer, damn you guys suck.

Fuzz @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

I realy wouldn't be all that surprised if this turns out to be true. Blueray uses different lasers and chips than the standard DVD/CD. To include Both in one device is going to be expensive, with some technical hurdles. It's not like making a CD/DVD drive, or even a CD?DVD and HDDVD drive. Combining Blueray is like merging 2 totally different technoligies. About the only thing the same is that the disk spins, is round, and is the same size. So don't be surprised if this rumour is confirmed.

BXJoseff @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

Ok...guys...especially the ones who are PS2 Fan boys...if you remember the goddamn launch, you would have read that not ALL games worked with the PS2 either...get over it.
As for the PS3 not being backwards compatible? LMAO gimme a break. Ken is crazy, but he's gotta keep his job don't he? Obviously the "rumor" was a fake, but don't expect all the old PS2 games to work with the PS3 either. WTF you guys are just planning on throwing out your PS2's when the PS3 comes out?

Chris Warren @ Dec 18th 2005 9:05PM

Yeah, Joystiq - I love the site, but please start checking up possible stories before posting them - a little journalistic integrity would be refreshing. Even posting something and clearly labeling it as "just hogwash" causes such rumours to spread (it's amazing how many people won't RTFA, especially those good old fanboys depsperate for any reason to say someone or something sucks.)

Seems like you guys will post anything anyone makes up these days. For example, did I mention that I received an email from someone I know in a forum who knows someone who works for Microsoft who says that they are in talks with Nintendo to buy them out? Better post it quick!