The PS4 could potentially cloud-stream PS3 games
2/16/13 11:40am
As you may remember, EA CFO Blake Jorgensen recently stated the publisher “believes” neither the next generation Sony or Microsoft console will offer backwards compatibility. This news was upsetting to many owners of either a PS3 or an Xbox 360, although the next PlayStation may present users with an alternative.
According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, Sony and the folks over at Gaikai (which Sony purchased last year) are currently developing a brand new cloud-based service for the next PlayStation console, which will stream PS3 games via the Internet.
While this report hasn’t been confirmed by Sony Computer Entertainment, WSJ’s sources say the company is "investing heavily" into the development of this service.
Can’t say I find this report too surprising, since I don’t believe Sony would have spent $380 million if it didn’t plan to take full advantage of Gaikai’s technology. Not too mention streaming previous generation titles over the Internet would be a good alternative to building backwards compatibility into the console’s hardware, although it would suck for those without a reliable Internet connection.
Again, it should be said there’s no clear evidence that these reports are true (although there’s a strong chance they are), so this could be nothing more than speculation but we won’t likely be waiting much longer for the answers.
» Source: http://www.polygon.com/2013/2/15/3993982/playstation-4-ps3-game-cloud-streaming-gaikai
» Tagged In: #cloud gaming, #Gaikai, #PS3, #PS4, #Ryan Conway, #Sony
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g1 DISCUSSIONS
JxL
I'm concerned that they are going to want an outrageous amount of money to buy a PS4...if the PS3 first sold for 600 bucks I don't even wanna know what they are gonna charge for this thing.
firehazard51
I foresee cloud streaming PS3 games being a PS+ benefit. Also would give incentives for people to buy downloadable PS3 games since you can then stream them for free on the PS4. Over all this looks to be a nice thing but got a game changer by any means. If anything it just sweetens the deal for PS+ users.
Xaxal Eternitum
Seriously, I'm hoping that a part of the streaming will just be so that they can load an emulator for PS3 while a PS3 disc is in the PS4 in order to play it. Compared to full game streaming, this shouldn't take much bandwidth and would be good as it kinda serves as a more authentic BC function than streaming would be.
Evil Ivan
I'm not quite sure I believe this common assertion that a significant number of North American internet users have unreliable connections. Even if it's true, the vast majority of these folks probably live in areas that make the cost of network build-out discouraging to ISPs. You can't expect Sony or Microsoft to care about the concerns of people who won't contribute any noteworthy percentage of corporate revenue in the first place.
That being said, I still don't like the idea of being dependent on the internet to play games I supposedly own.
nerdman
i'd just much MUCH rather it to be able to play the physical ps3 games because i'm not going to buy the same games i have already
Ferret75
The streaming itself is pretty awesome, but I really hope it's backwards compatible with the actual discs.
mychael
Some people might think this is a good idea. Personally, I don't think it is. I'd rather download PS3 games from the Playstation Store, then play it on the PS4. Just like the Vita does it with the PSP games. I hope it will be only an option.
alondite345
10 bucks says that a few years later, when Sony releases a newer version of the PS4, Gaikai streaming will be removed.
hazelnut1112
10 Bucks says that Sony will release HD HD Collections of PS3 games for the PS4.
alondite345
Or re-release HD collections of PS2 games for the PS4.