As predicted, Sony Computer Entertainment America has followed the steps taken in Europe to start reducing PlayStation 3 costs by removing parts. Consequently, when the newly announced 80GB SKU arrives with MotorStorm in August, it will come without the Emotion Engine that allowed PS One and PlayStation 2 games to run natively. Instead, PS3 now achieves backwards compatibility via software emulation.
"The 80GB model uses a software solution for backwards compatibility, similar to that currently found in the PAL," said a company spokesperson. "We are putting more of our resources behind creating new content for PS3 users (more than 120 titles are coming this fiscal year) that can take full advantage of PS3 hardware and PSN."
And what about further updates to software emulation? Sony's playing coy right now. "More details to come when we release the 80GB in August..." they said.
