Why can't I play my old games?

Barks · 21 Dec 2013 at 12:10

So it turns out the PS4 can't play any of my PS3 games.

Is there a technical/compatibility reason for this?

Or - and I'm willing to bet this is the more likely reason - is it because some **** at Sony decided to screw everyone over by not letting us play our old PS3 games deliberately on the console for profit/business reasons?

I'm really angry about this. I'm tempted to box it up and send it back to be honest.

Josh · 21 Dec 2013 at 12:10

Isn't the lack of backwards compatibility a well know "thing" on these next gen consoles?

Sareth · 21 Dec 2013 at 12:16

Barks said:
Or - and I'm willing to bet this is the more likely reason

You'd lose that bet, it's a very different architecture, more like a traditional pc than Sony's previous custom offerings. B/C (if any) will come from the streaming service Sony bought.

Rusty0611 · 21 Dec 2013 at 12:17

Barks said:
So it turns out the PS4 can't play any of my PS3 games.

Is there a technical/compatibility reason for this?

Or - and I'm willing to bet this is the more likely reason - is it because some **** at Sony decided to screw everyone over by not letting us play our old PS3 games deliberately on the console for profit/business reasons?

I'm really angry about this. I'm tempted to box it up and send it back to be honest.

It wasn't exactly hidden that the PS4 won't play PS3 games. It was explicitly stated and is viewable in all the FAQs.

It doesn't work because the architectures are massively different between the PS3 and PS4 and therefore the games code won't work properly as a result. PS3 games were coded specifically for the Cell CPU.

AJK · 21 Dec 2013 at 12:19

Why did you buy it without checking whether it had the feature that's clearly so important to you?

Robert1986 · 21 Dec 2013 at 12:19

I bought a PS4 just to play GTA5 on. Was so mad.

The Running Man · 21 Dec 2013 at 12:20

Send it back bro. I'm pretty sure they could have included hardware based BC for about. 50 bucks. Thwy could have sold it as the PS4 BC edition. But nope.

Puzzled · 21 Dec 2013 at 12:21

Have they release any details about the streaming service yet?

I'm doubtful of being able to play games I already own for no extra charge

Buffman · 21 Dec 2013 at 12:28

Should have used google before buying...?

TheVoice · 21 Dec 2013 at 12:48

Barks said:
So it turns out the PS4 can't play any of my PS3 games.

Is there a technical/compatibility reason for this?

of course there is; it's an entirely different console built in entirely different hardware. Not to sound harsh, but I've no idea how you managed to miss the fact that neither the PS4 nor the Xbox One are backwards compatible; if you're able to use a message board then you're presumably clued-up enough to know where to find such information.

The Running Man said:
Send it back bro. I'm pretty sure they could have included hardware based BC for about. 50 bucks. Thwy could have sold it as the PS4 BC edition. But nope.

Why would they do that? They already sell a console that plays PS3 games. What you're suggesting is exactly what caused problems for PS3 sales when it launched.

Backwards compatibility is gone, there's no compelling reason for it to be included any more and I'd be very surprised if future consoles have it. It was practically killed-off last gen anyway, so it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

MrMoonX · 21 Dec 2013 at 13:02

If you remember the ps3 originally cost so much as they included a ps2 chip in it for BC, it was stupid and now the ps4 is here my ps3 isn't going to get used, why would you wanna play old games? Gta v is gonna come out on ps4 just wait!

RedStarRiot · 21 Dec 2013 at 13:41

If only there was a console out there that could play those games....

ic1male · 21 Dec 2013 at 13:49

Robert1986 said:
I bought a PS4 just to play GTA5 on. Was so mad.

That is coming according to new rumours today.

http://talkingaboutgames.com/2013/12/lazlow-from-rockstar-games-confirms-next-gen-ports-of-gta-v/

The Running Man · 21 Dec 2013 at 14:06

MrMoonX said:
If you remember the ps3 originally cost so much as they included a ps2 chip in it for BC, it was stupid and now the ps4 is here my ps3 isn't going to get used, why would you wanna play old games? Gta v is gonna come out on ps4 just wait!

How about all my good games like GT6 or King of Fighters xiii or SSF2HD Remix?

MrMoonX · 21 Dec 2013 at 14:26

The Running Man said:
How about all my good games like GT6 or King of Fighters xiii or SSF2HD Remix?

Driveclub in March

Macro · 21 Dec 2013 at 14:34

Send it back...

kierenharrold · 21 Dec 2013 at 15:09

PS3's CPU is PowerPC based and the Ps4's CPU is x86. Backwards compatability would have to be done via emulation, which at this point is probably at the very bottom of the list of new features.

:(Rhodri:) · 21 Dec 2013 at 15:10

The Running Man said:
Send it back bro. I'm pretty sure they could have included hardware based BC for about. 50 bucks. Thwy could have sold it as the PS4 BC edition. But nope.

There's no way they'd be able to include it for that amount - the architecture is so radically different from the PS3 you'd need the cell processor and probably the RSX as well, and then there would be added costs in designing and manufacturing a system that can accommodate and cool those components just as well as a standard PS3. That was part of the problem with the initial 60GB PS3's - they were being sold at a huge loss, hence why including the PS2 components went away so quickly.

If there's games you still want to play then just keep the PS3 for now.

The Running Man · 21 Dec 2013 at 15:27

That's why I said create a new sku. Ps4 pure and ps4 BC so they can cover both low cost and cater to fans who want both platforms.

ng93 · 21 Dec 2013 at 15:39

Wasn't that what they did with the PS3, fully featured 60GB with (among other things) backwards compatibility and the PS2 emulation chip it required, and then the cheaper 20GB version without it. Ended up discontinuing the 60GB as it sold so poorly.