Sony About Xbox backwards compatibility

ethomaz · Jun 17, 2015, 07:16 PM

PlayStation on Xbox backwards compatibility: It's good we're doing different things | Games industry news | MCV

Quote"It was quite a complicated announcement and I'm not sure I fully understand it yet. And I suspect there might be a few twists in that particular tale. But we will see," he told MCV when discussing the Xbox One announcement.

"It is an entirely legitimate approach, and if you are seeking to upgrade 360 owners to Xbox One, it is a very logical approach to take.

"We are just taking a different path. To the extent that you are investing in software technology - which is what this is, it's delivered through software not through hardware - we are trying to commit our resources and put our emphasis on delivering on the promises we made right at the start of this whole PS4 thing, to be the forward-looking, socially-connected console. We are placing our bets on things like SharePlay, on things like Play as you Download, and things like Suspend/Resume.

"We are just taking two different approaches. Unfortunately there are just not sufficent enough software engineers in the world for everyone to do everything. Each platform holder has to make their choices, we made one and they made another. Their choice is entirely legitimate, and I think our choice is legitimate, too. In some ways it is quite nice to have points of difference between the two platforms, and people will decide which approach suits them best.

"We have experience of backwards compatibility. The earliest PS3 model was backwards compatible with PS2, and it is a much requested feature... but actually it's not so greatly used.

"On balance, we are happy with our approach and we don't wish to be defensive about it at all. But as I say, both approaches are legitimate."

Legend · Jun 17, 2015, 07:20 PM

Good response

Aura7541 · Jun 17, 2015, 07:20 PM

I wonder if Sony can implement profile backwards compatibility via PS Now. For instance, you insert/download your PS3 game into the your PS4; your PS4 scans and verifies the copy; and then, your console streams the game through PS Now. That way, both consumers and Sony are happy.

Max King of the Wild · Jun 17, 2015, 07:21 PM

Bravo

Legend · Jun 17, 2015, 07:25 PM

Quote from: Aura7541 on Jun 17, 2015, 07:20 PMI wonder if Sony can implement profile backwards compatibility via PS Now. For instance, you insert/download your PS3 game into the your PS4; your PS4 scans and verifies the copy; and then, your console streams the game through PS Now. That way, both consumers and Sony are happy.

Nope.

That would cost Sony money every second you're playing.

Aura7541 · Jun 17, 2015, 07:51 PM

Quote from: Legend on Jun 17, 2015, 07:25 PMNope.

That would cost Sony money every second you're playing.

Well shucks... $:-\$

darkknightkryta · Jun 17, 2015, 07:59 PM

I've never understood why no one just makes a proper recompiler. Got a PS2 game or PS3 game, pop it into your PS4 and let it "install" (Recompile) the game. Data's still read from the disc. Saves everyone from writing games specific hacks into an emulator (PS2 on PS3).

Legend · Jun 17, 2015, 08:06 PM

Quote from: darkknightkryta on Jun 17, 2015, 07:59 PMI've never understood why no one just makes a proper recompiler. Got a PS2 game or PS3 game, pop it into your PS4 and let it "install" (Recompile) the game. Data's still read from the disc. Saves everyone from writing games specific hacks into an emulator (PS2 on PS3).

Because that would take a ton of work!

ethomaz · Jun 17, 2015, 08:07 PM

Quote from: darkknightkryta on Jun 17, 2015, 07:59 PMI've never understood why no one just makes a proper recompiler. Got a PS2 game or PS3 game, pop it into your PS4 and let it "install" (Recompile) the game. Data's still read from the disc. Saves everyone from writing games specific hacks into an emulator (PS2 on PS3).

It is not that easy... to be fair is close to impossible to do a compiler that translate binary/executable data.
It is a level below emulation... the reverse engineer here needs to be from other world.

What they possible can do is recompile the source code and release via download... you need to fix some things and review performance... that exists and it is called Port.

In terms of work/money: Recompile binary >>>>>>>> Port All Titles * >>> Emulation.

* Port of one title is cheaper than create a emulator but the emulator have the advantage of emulate possible all title... that makes the port of all title be way expensive.

Dr. Pezus · Jun 17, 2015, 08:25 PM

Hang on, I just had a thought. Why is MS even remastering Gears 1? Won't backwards compatibility cover it?

the-pi-guy · Jun 17, 2015, 08:31 PM

Quote from: Pezus on Jun 17, 2015, 08:25 PMHang on, I just had a thought. Why is MS even remastering Gears 1? Won't backwards compatibility cover it?

Because #moneys

ethomaz · Jun 17, 2015, 08:31 PM

Quote from: Pezus on Jun 17, 2015, 08:25 PMHang on, I just had a thought. Why is MS even remastering Gears 1? Won't backwards compatibility cover it?

Well PS4 is receiving FFVIIR and FFVII original (PC port)... some fans just want to play the original instead the remastered.

darkknightkryta · Jun 17, 2015, 11:59 PM

Quote from: Legend on Jun 17, 2015, 08:06 PMBecause that would take a ton of work!

I know. But it'll be worth it in the end, do it right vs making an emulator and hacking games in every gen.

Quote from: ethomaz on Jun 17, 2015, 08:07 PMIt is not that easy... to be fair is close to impossible to do a compiler that translate binary/executable data.
It is a level below emulation... the reverse engineer here needs to be from other world.

They have to reverse engineer nothing, they have the assembly they just have to match the assembly up with x86 (In the ps4 case). and match the timings.

What they possible can do is recompile the source code and release via download... you need to fix some things and review performance... that exists and it is called Port.

It's not a port, it's what high level emulators do, it's also filled with glitches, gameplay problems and other headaches. This is also what MS did with their BC on the 360 and now the One. It's also why only a handful of games work, cause there's a huge QA involved. It's also why there's less PS2 and PSX games on PS3 cause every game has to go through QA. I remember reading an article about PSX games games getting rejected because of bizarre glitches caused by needing a game hack to get working right. Writing a proper recompiler for Cell/RSX and matching it up with x86/AMD will work for all cases. It just needs you to put a disc in.

In terms of work/money: Recompile binary >>>>>>>> Port All Titles * >>> Emulation.
Not at all, cause porting a title has to be done on a game by game bases. Matching assembly with the equivalent x86 assembly would work best and work with all scenarios. P.S. *port all titles = Emulation*. The emulators from Sony, MS and Nintendo work with game hacks. They write an emulator based on a game's behaviour and then hack it until the game has no problems. Again, this causes a large QA.

* Port of one title is cheaper than create a emulator but the emulator have the advantage of emulate possible all title... that makes the port of all title be way expensive.

Again, what I'm saying is the true way for this to work, kinda like with bsnes. They created an emulator to make sure each assembly call is timed and translated right. What I'm saying is making bsnes, but a full compiler instead of an interpreter, this way you can get the game running at full speed. The emulators you see on consoles are a collection of game hacks.