Going backward to go forward

Throughout its secrecy-shrouded gestation period, rumours of PlayStation 2’s suggested ‘backwards compatibility’ have filled Internet newsgroups and magazine column inches. Many struggled with the idea that, having established a massive PlayStation user base and unprecedented software sales, Sony would be so churlish as to effectively ‘discard’ the old format. They haven’t.

PlayStation 2 will enable owners to play all PS games. The question on many people’s lips, however, is how it could potentially improve old titles. It’s an interesting prospect. Although gameplay and basic visual appearance would be identical, could PS2 apply a hardware-based veneer in the form of better filtering and improved frame rates?

Sony are mute on the subject, and industry opinion varies. If such speculation proves to be true, is there any reason why forthcoming PlayStation software could not include code routines written specifically for the PS2? These could utilise the machine’s greater processing power to enhance the game, yet in no way disturb the common-or-garden PlayStation owner. Possible? Future Gamer certainly believes so.

That PlayStation 2 offers backwards compatibility is nothing but good news for the consumer. It’s less a case of ‘The king is dead; long live the king,’ and more ‘Trebles all round!’ And no bad thing that.

To the question "Who will develop for PlayStation 2?" the answer is a categorical "EVERYONE!" Sony are role models for the industry in their approach to developers. Acknowledging the fact that software, not specifications and brute power, is the route to success, the PlayStation success was in no small part aided by their support for the common coder. There’s no reason to imagine that their approach with PS2 will differ in this respect.