Is backwards compatibility an issue? Analysts debate

[BrewCityUpstart]

So, the 40GB PS3 is losing backwards compatibility with PS2 games. Is that a big deal? You voted, but let's hear what the analysts have to say. From a business perspective, it makes sense for Sony to remove the feature. "Cost is hard to gauge, probably $30 - $50 per unit," Wedbush Morgan Securities' Michael Pachter told GameDaily. A significant savings, when one considers the thousands of systems Sony must sell. Will the lack of PS2 support affect PS3 sales? "I thought lack of backward compatibility would hurt the Xbox [360], but it really didn't," Pachter noted.

However, NPD analyst Anita Frazier has some data that might concern Sony. "Nearly 70 percent said that [backwards compatibility] was an important feature to them."

Regardless, when it comes down to the choice between backwards compatibility and saving $100, the choice will be clear for most consumers. Colin Sebastian, an analyst at Lazard Capital Markets noted: "It appears that pricing is becoming more of a priority, which makes sense given where the PS3 is selling in terms of market share. I don't believe removing backwards compatibility is a huge deal, considering that most people who want to play PS2 games will continue to do so on their PS2s."link

[D_Litch]

Clarification, the 60gb/80gb will still be compatible?

[Peench]

I don't think BC is that big of an issue. Of course, I don't have a library of PS2 games sitting around either.

[D_Litch]

I have about 70 PS2 games, and my PS2 broke last year. BC would rock for me.

[Crippler]

It's only an issue when Sony's competitors don't have it or don't approach it in the same fashion. Sony made a HUGE deal out of BC during the hype for PS3 pre-launch. It has been backpedaling ever since. BC is not at all an issue in my purchasing of a next-gen console. For those gamers with a hundred games, it may well be. IMO, they are only shooting themselves in the foot again by finally releasing a PS3 that is competitively priced and in turn removing BC. That is not gonna win over PS2 gamers with the huge pile of PS2 games they still play. Especially with the lack of quality titles on the PS3. Sorry, but the games just aren't there for people to just drop their PS2 games and jump to a PS3. Without BC, it's even less likely.

We'll see.

[GoatMother]

Agreed Crippler. They did make a huge deal out of BC. Granted I still think having a $399 sku will help but I can't help but think it would have been smarter to keep BC on PS2 games.

[Lord Geoff]

It won't be an issue once they have 150 or so titles out for the system, which is about double what they have now. This holiday season is going to help that out considerably. They have said that 08 is their year, so I see people caring less and less about the PS2 BC. Right now though, especially with GTA4 pushed back to Spring, they need it.