Japan to lose 20GB and 60GB PS3

@ PS2 Backwards compatibility to go for good too?

I agree, it does seem strange. I have a couple of theories:

It could be that they are now starting to fight on price and are betting on people not really wanting to play the old games with all the new (HD) games due for release (albeit the 60gb upscales ps2 games). (The fact that they are doing this in their 'heartland' may also suggest that the feedback from the Japanese gamers is precisely this....)

It could also be canny marketing. Bring out the cheaper model and let people get used to a price point that actually does provide serious price competition to the 360 and Wii (about £280).

THEN introduce the 80gb (or perhaps an even higher capacity) model with the backwards capability for the previous price point of about £425

Yes, backwards compat. is going.

Ironic really seeing as Sony gloated about backwards compat. more than anyone, Microsoft second and Nintendo last yet Nintendo delivered best backwards compat. followed by MS, followed by Sony.

Something about promising something you can't deliver I suppose, as it stands in Europe already PS3 is a clear last place in terms of compatibility.

My guess as to why? They expect people to buy a PS2 AND a PS3 if they want to play old games.

I'll pass thanks until they bring back the 60gb+ PS3 with backwards compat.

You can still import

You've just got to know someone going to Japan. There are plenty of places that still ship US or Canadian models to the UK, if you want BluRay Region A, too.

Liksang

@Law, Poor old Liksang was told nearly a full year before to cease and desist selling Sony kit. Poor old Liksang chose to ignore the C&D and didn't even bother to defend itself when taken to court. How is any of that Sony's fault? Now it is arguably bad that companies can stop grey imports but they're entirely within their legal rights to do it. Why is any surprise that some of them do?

Anyway, back on topic it seems smart to axe the other models simply to focus production on a single line simply to save money. Having multiple models with multiple board designs and chips just snarls up everything. I expect Sony have already axed production and supplies are now limited to what is in the pipe.

Personally I'd like to see them produce a slim PS3. The White PS3 has a very small mainboard. I can see that as being the basis of a slim version and I wouldn't be surprised if it appears some time this year.

PS3 power consumption

@Anonymous Coward, PS3 power consumption is between 180-210W in regular use. This is much too high. Reduced chips and chip sizes should bring that figure down substantially.

BTW the Wii has comparatively low power consumption when playing games but manages to screw its credentials because every Wii defaults to a 10W per hour mode (WiiConnect24) looking for online "surprises" which Nintendo has singularly failed to deliver. The amount of wasted power is obscene. The Wii may even waste more power than either 360 or the PS3 because of this stupid mode which should be off by default, not on.

The truth about backwards compatibility is...

...simply that people don't see the need to buy a PS3 because it doesn't offer any significant benefits. So do away with PS2 compatibility, means all new games will be PS3 since the developers won't develop for a non-current platform. So, no new games for PS2 means you have to go out and buy the PS3.

As for me, I go my PS2 on launch day, but I won't be getting a PS3 nor an X-Box since they are simply over priced for a man toy.

re: backwards compatibility

i'm not sure the backwards compaitbility is really that necessary

if you have a large collection of ps2 games and you really need to play them that desperately, then you'll already have a ps2 and so you just need to plug that into your telly alongside your ps3

there is now a large section of ps3 games available and out of that there's at least a dozen games that are worth playing and good fun - the old argument that you need your old ps2 games because of the lack of next-gen choice no longer applies

the only ps2 games that i would really want to be able to play on ps3 (with it's upscaling to make them look nicer) are Shadow of the Colossus, the GTA series and Tomb Raider Anniversary. but since the ps3 came out, i've probably only spent 3 or 4 hours playing those, the rest has all been on ps3 games. and to be honest, i can wait for GTA4 and the new ps3 game from Team Ico becaude i'm busy playing the other ps3 games

so while it would seem to be annoying not to be able to play your old games, i really don't think it'd be necessary. and if you're really that desperate, just use your ps2!!

Sony asked, gamers answered

Sony surveyed gamers and PS3 owners to find out whether Backwards Compatibility was really the be all and end all of PS3 desires and surprisingly it was one of the features that failed to set the heather alight.

That said, I am still wondering whether Sony will at some point in the not to dim and distant future spit out a new 'premium' unit that incorporates the PS2 chipset again, along with nice 65nm versions of Cell and RSX, and a further reduced chip count on the main board. Sony seems to be going towards a two tier offering globally and I could see them bumping that 80GB to 120GB in time, perhaps including the PS2 hardware BC solution at that time also. I mean if they are going to offer BC in the premium unit, there is no point doing it in a half assed way, and the partial software/hardware BC in the 80GB is nothing if it's not half assed.

Backwards compat was moved to software, no cost reason relevant

Since Sony moved backwards compatibility to software the argument that it's a costly extra is entirely false. Whilst I may not be correct about them wanting to buy a PS2 and a PS3, it's just a theory there clearly is at least some less consumer friendly reason why they wont include it anymore. I could understand the original decision to remove PS2 hardware and make it a software thing, but to remove it completely? It doesn't seem reasonable really.

As for power consumption I've got to agree with DrXym, these lower power modes are idiotic when you can just turn the things off :) That's why I don't particularly like the idea of the folding@home thing with the PS3 either, if you really want to do something beneficial with your machine, cut your CO2 emissions by turning the fucking thing off instead when you aint using it! ;)

RE: Backwards Compability?

Please can someone who actually OWNS the 40GB model in the USA actually confirm 100% whether or not it truly is *unable* to play PS2 and PS1 games.

I was under the strong impression they were planning on simply ommiting the PS2 chipsets and implementing backward compatibility via software emulation.

PS: I am unable to answer this question myself since I own one of the 1st gen 60GB models (which I later upgraded myself to 250GB of HD) which does have all the chips & features and plays PS1/PS2 games perfectly well (with added upscaling/smoothing).

Backwards compatibility

Why would you buy a PS3 if you want to play PS2 games??? You never know, knowing Sony they will probably rejig the config of the 40GB version to include backwards compatibility and the missing card reader. Take the case of a 60GB and pop a 40GB in it (with a few extras fo course)...

re: Huge Error?

Japan vs UK is hardly a fair comparison - not when comparing a Japanese electronics companies products anyway.

If you look at our neighbours you will see that we aren't (the only people) being screwed.

UK - £280

Germany - E400 (£300)

France - E400 (£300)

(prices from a popular online 'book' seller)