Sony changes PS3 Specs in Europe (1 Viewer)

[Chris]

Kind off a bad sign.

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=37833

They have completely removed PS2 backwards compatibility in the European market. This is a significant problem for games that were designed with access to mixed-mode support, as apparently several were. Also a problem for game makers who designed games for PS2, thinking they'd get PS3 options as well.

What sony has done is to remove two chips which provide PS2 compatibility in favor of a software ROM to provide emulation. Apparently, the lack of these chips may also cause some issues with other games, and it is unknown how games will perform under software emulation as compared to hardware.

 

[Romier S]

No, they have not. They have simply moved from hardware based backwards compatibility (the Emotion Engine chip) to a software based emulator. This is not really anything new as Sony has previously stated they were looking at a software based solution for backwards compatibility in the past.

The extent of Playstation 2 games supported by the emulator has in no way been announced. Nor has Sony ever said that PS2 backwards compatibility has been "completely" removed.

 

[BrianB]

Name titles or give links detailing such problems, please. AFAIK, PS3 titles are not allowed to utlize PS2 functionality in the manner you're suggesting.

 

[Chris]

My phrasing was bad. I should have said "the PS2 chips have been completely removed".

In regards to the second question, apparently, according to interviews with several online sources, the # of titles impacted will be released from Sony shortly.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=23040

There is some talk with Gamespot that some game developers say that the way the emulation has been handled may cause changes in base code, which could impact some of the "tricks" they've implemented with their design.