I'm not too familiar with ps2 hardware and software design on the platform but one thing I do remember was the insane bandwidth on the EDRAM. I thought perhaps this bit of ps2 hardware was kept to enable smooth emulation of ps2 games.
EU PS3 = Software PS2 Emulation
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I'm not too familiar with ps2 hardware and software design on the platform but one thing I do remember was the insane bandwidth on the EDRAM. I thought perhaps this bit of ps2 hardware was kept to enable smooth emulation of ps2 games.
exactly
It doesn't help that Sony shot their mouths off about BC being a major selling point for the PS3 over the 360. Sony can win when their PR/Marketing/KrazyKK stop writing checks with their mouths and having them bounce. It has been assumed, either from misleading marketing PR, or Sony flat out lying, that the software BC was on hold until it was up to par. Not perfect, but certainly they set the bar far higher than MS's which MS stated pretty quickly was a secondary consideration. Sony created the perception that their maching was head and shoulders above everything else. At some point, they are going to have to put up or shut up.
Maybe they are artificially lowering expectations, it's done in politics all the time, but if they are someone needs to speak with them about timing.
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DUALDISASTER
Newcomer
Maybe "limit" means 50-75% of ps2 titles.
Cut cost and features without cutting price. I can't imagine that working as a Sony PR person is a very rewarding job.
So how long before these units are shipped to Japan and North America? I bet they'll start showing up this summer.
So how long before these units are shipped to Japan and North America? I bet they'll start showing up this summer.
I'd really like to know how many units they expect to sell between the change in BOM and the price cut. Because it just feels to me like they've decided to shoot themselves in the PR foot again over what is relatively trivial dollars compared to the lifetime of a premier franchize. Sure, it's not my money, so its easy for me to say "Hey, what's a few tens of millions between friends?". But this is a huge multi-billion dollar franchise they're playing around with, and at some point they need to stop the self-inflicted injuries and begin the healing.
In a hypothetical scenario, they can ship a PS3 that has Cell/RSX with a higher clockspeed for Europe.I'm not too familiar with ps2 hardware and software design on the platform but one thing I do remember was the insane bandwidth on the EDRAM. I thought perhaps this bit of ps2 hardware was kept to enable smooth emulation of ps2 games.
What would be the point of higher clockspeeds in Europe? My Hypothisis is that the way the EE+GS is routed to the video outputs had some compatibitly issues at 50hz, so instead investing in fixing it they just scraped the setup in favor of emulation.
clockspeedsHypothisisEEcompatibilityhzI'm curious to hear how well their emulation works though. Will GoW2 even run on Euro PS3s? If it does, hopefully it runs noteably smoother than Halo2 does on the 360.GoWnotably
Why? TBH I don't think the Euros have it in them to summon any kind of consumer outrage over this. They have shown a continued willingness to allow themselves to be treated as second class citizens in the console market and until they start to fight back by withholding their dollars this will not change. Even the Japanese are giving Sony the finger at this point in favor of Nintendo.
I'm sure many will be complaining bitterly about how they got shafted by Sony. They'll still be picking up their pre-ordered consoles, though.
The most hypothetical scenario I'd say, but they've been developing the emulator for a while and the clockspeed of RSX and its RAM were downgraded just before the launch which could be unexpected for the emulator.
[maven];934784 said:
And that's what it's all about...
Well... or like what they said in the press release, they decided to focus on PS3 software.
If what spwolf said is true...
...then it means that they are starting to stop relying on PS2 in the new FY. Perhaps the savings in *further* BC development will contribute to the $$ they used to develop exclusive software for PS3. Would be interesting to find out how limited is limited.
I would time the press release with new software announcement (or more informative progress update in some exclusive PS3 games) though. Perhaps the recent flood of PS3 developer interviews are meant to do that but they are too far apart.
As for 65nm, I'll believe it when I see it.
If what spwolf said is true...
spwolf said:
...then it means that they are starting to stop relying on PS2 in the new FY. Perhaps the savings in *further* BC development will contribute to the $$ they used to develop exclusive software for PS3. Would be interesting to find out how limited is limited.
I would time the press release with new software announcement (or more informative progress update in some exclusive PS3 games) though. Perhaps the recent flood of PS3 developer interviews are meant to do that but they are too far apart.
As for 65nm, I'll believe it when I see it.
I don't think those grumbling about Sony are buying the kit. They're withholding their 'dollars'. The 'problem' is most people don't know the international differences and don't care to find out. As far as they're concerned, PS3 is x price with y features, in their territory, and the question is 'is that something they're willing to pay?'. When people go shopping, they compare prices with local stores to find the best deal - and don't compare prices around the world, or even around the country. When you go to the shops in London to buy a tin of beans, you don't first go researching bean prices across the UK, and lament the fact they're 32% cheaper in Leicester. For that reason different markets are exploited, like local fuel prices. Hell, Sony even said as much with their explanation for Irelands price. 'We are charging more in Ireland because traditionally things cost more there' = Everyone's used to paying higher prices. The main issue is people aren't so price sensitive in Europe, it seems. They're more willing to pay more. I put that down to Europeans being far betted educated and better balanced people, appreciating the true worth of products and respecting the investments of...okay, we're suckers
If people were actually informed as to how PS3 was worse value here than elsewhere, and appreciated not buying it now would produce a rapid price reduction, they wouldn't buy. XBox is the prime example of this. The early adopters there were well educated and didn't pay ludicrous prices. This time, with PS3, I guess the early adopters aren't so well educated. Or don't care, and feel PS3 is worth the markup to get involved early. Again, for these people the loss of BC is a non-issue. TBH I agree. I wouldn't much care if consoles lost BC. It's something that should either be done right, or save yourself the bother. Sony deciding to save money on a feature that's little used strikes me as a fair business decision. It's the way they deal with the market that offends. There's no respect at all for their EU consumers.
Gradthrawn
Veteran
I don't think those grumbling about Sony are buying the kit. They're withholding their 'dollars'. The 'problem' is most people don't know the international differences and don't care to find out. As far as they're concerned, PS3 is x price with y features, in their territory, and the question is 'is that something they're willing to pay?'. When people go shopping, they compare prices with local stores to find the best deal - and don't compare prices around the world, or even around the country. When you go to the shops in London to buy a tin of beans, you don't first go researching bean prices across the UK, and lament the fact they're 32% cheaper in Leicester. For that reason different markets are exploited, like local fuel prices. Hell, Sony even said as much with their explanation for Irelands price. 'We are charging more in Ireland because traditionally things cost more there' = Everyone's used to paying higher prices. The main issue is people aren't so price sensitive in Europe, it seems. They're more willing to pay more. I put that down to Europeans being far betted educated and better balanced people, appreciating the true worth of products and respecting the investments of...okay, we're suckers
If people were actually informed as to how PS3 was worse value here than elsewhere, and appreciated not buying it now would produce a rapid price reduction, they wouldn't buy. XBox is the prime example of this. The early adopters there were well educated and didn't pay ludicrous prices. This time, with PS3, I guess the early adopters aren't so well educated. Or don't care, and feel PS3 is worth the markup to get involved early. Again, for these people the loss of BC is a non-issue. TBH I agree. I wouldn't much care if consoles lost BC. It's something that should either be done right, or save yourself the bother. Sony deciding to save money on a feature that's little used strikes me as a fair business decision. It's the way they deal with the market that offends. There's no respect at all for their EU consumers.
How do you get your HD "fix" over there in Europe? Are you guys HD starved (the ones with HDTVs, that is)? Is there any desire among consumers over there to buy a PS3 simply to feed their HD displays? If the desire is strong enough, that could account for some of the early adopters who don't seem to care about the price or BC.
The PS2 can already be purchased at that price.
But i don't want a PS2
i want a PS3 that can play PS2 games aswell