Relax, I'm not knocking backwards compatibility or how important it is to some. It is definitely not as important these days as it was back then and your "betrayal" analogy of Sega is irrelevant. The 360, it is not backwards compatible and no one gives a hoot.
I just purchased a XBOX 360 (new model with falcon chip). It runs fairly quiet and is a blast to play. I chose it over the PS3 mainly because of title selection and many of my friends / colleagues are on Live. No complaints.
MACinist, I'm afraid that the betrayal analogy isn't irrelevant - Unless you buy the top-of-the-line PS3, Sony is now breaking the backwards compatibility trend a bit. As I already said, Sega was in a much worse position (and PS2 owners have gotten far more value than Saturn folks ), so it's not a repeat situation. I didn't say it was.
Everyone in the industry obviously learned lessons from that generation (including the need for model line-up simplicity). Sony is just straying a little from a couple of those principles, and I was trying to provide a little more historical context to avoid being told that I "entirely missed the point."
Sure, compatability is one piece of the larger puzzle when choosing a system... but I wouldn't say it was more important in the 90s. If anything, the reverse is true: a generation has grown up on games... they will want to re-live great oldies. The systems that can draw on the best (and biggest) library will sell better to this growing demographic. I was even just playing an old side-scrolling Ninja Turtles game on my friend's 360 last week... pretty cool (to me)
I'm not saying it's the end of the world, of Sony or even of the PS3, but it is a little odd to me that there's already 3 variations of backwards compatibility on the Playsation platform.
I agree that Sony needed a "cheap" option. I'm now thinking about buying one because it's almost within reach. It was a very smart idea on their part, no argument. But what doesn't make sense to me is that, even on the 80GB model, the emulation is now done in the software - so why not just enable it on the 40GB one?
The only reason I can see is to up-sell consumers to the high end model...
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Total oversight on my part. Had the launch console a couple years ago and at that time there were very few titles from original compatible. I guess they have been working on updates since then to the software. I see that since launch, backwards compatibility has increased to 465 titles...
SuiteEdit, I agree with your software emulation point, however, aside from a marketing gimmick, there must be development/software load costs associated with production. In any case, if you get a chance, read this interview: SCEA breaks the silence // GamesIndustry.biz
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I agree that Sony needed a "cheap" option. I'm now thinking about buying one because it's almost within reach. It was a very smart idea on their part, no argument. But what doesn't make sense to me is that, even on the 80GB model, the emulation is now done in the software - so why not just enable it on the 40GB one?
The only reason I can see is to up-sell consumers to the high end model...
It's because there's hardware missing in the 40 gig model. The originals had 2 extra chips which were the old PS2 video and GPU. The 80 Gig took away one chip and emulated the other. The 40 gig took away both and there's no emulation.
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I've had my 360 replaced 3X now under the Electronics Boutique warranty, and now since I have the 3rd one with all the apparent hardware issues fixed in the latest release by Microsoft (apparently September 2007 was the last), it works great.
I play mostly sports games, but also racing and some role-playing...but overall having been a Playstation guy for the past 5 years or so previous, after all the hardware replacements, the 360 is definitely worth it for the games over the PS3 imo!
I've had my 360 replaced 3X now under the Electronics Boutique warranty, and now since I have the 3rd one with all the apparent hardware issues fixed in the latest release by Microsoft (apparently September 2007 was the last), it works great.
I play mostly sports games, but also racing and some role-playing...but overall having been a Playstation guy for the past 5 years or so previous, after all the hardware replacements, the 360 is definitely worth it for the games over the PS3 imo!
I don't understand how anyone can start with saying they've had a system replaced 3 times and end saying it's worth it... I've had my 360 replaced 6 times now and my PS3 has never crashed. PS3 is the better system hands down.
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It's kind of like getting an iPhone, and having the unlucky experience of a few lemons the first time its released. If you want it enough, you wont give up on your iPhone, that's all.
I was in fact very skeptical in buying an MS product for video games given Windows track record and coming from PS1/ PS2 which I never had issues with. So to explain further, sure the 360 is a finicky system; with my first 360 I had a CD tray that just wouldn't close the day I got it, and then a year later a fan issue that gave me the "ring of death". So now im on my 3rd, and no problems since (fingers crossed..!)
Hardware issues aside, i've played both and actually liked the 360 better....there are WAY more games developed (and being developed) for 360, and there is a much larger fanbase. I don't think having built in Bluray for instance makes it "hands down" better...the games are the most important thing in the end. What's a fancy machine without any games or anyone to play or trade em with?
I've got PS3. Internet Browser, Blu-Ray/DVD, online internet community (ie friends), 6 Axis controllers(soon to be rumble pack built-in),4 usb ports, upgradable Hard drive, graphics are amazing on Widescreen 40inch Sony Bravia TV... people should be let to think for themselves! I have a buddy who has XBox 360, he loves it, I love my PS3.... go out n try both systems.... FULLY try them... meaning all the features they have. Do your homework... dont rely on some dumb **** diagram!
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), so it's not a repeat situation. I didn't say it was.
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