The first year of a new console is always slow. So it's nice to have BC. Also by the time a new console comes out the old one might have some wear and tear making getting a new system with BC very useful. The last big thing is the old systems games coming out will probably be better then the new systems games. Not having will probably cut into early adapters.

I would like the NextBox to be b/c because I don't want to have 2 consoles in my living-room, as easy as this. Also my girlfriend would say one or two words if another console would be put beneath the tv. And I hope the current controller is still compatible!

I dont usually play past gen games, but its nice to have the option.

With gaikai you'll be able to buy all PS3, Ps2 and PS games. The problem is that it won't play physical copies, which is a problem for people who own the console and already have a collection. For someone like you, it's ideal, you can buy the games on the PSN.

you will also need internet access to play them as they are streamed, and not downloaded.  so may not be good for all users.

Should have made a poll.

VERY

My PS3 broke, so PS4 not being BC will delay my purchase of a PS4 by a couple years. I now have to buy a PS3 to beat games like Uncharted 3, InFamous 2, The Last of Us, Tales of Xillia, etc.

That doesn't affect Sony too much because I will still one day get a PS4, but I won't be getting PS4 games day 1 because of it, so they will loose out on some software sales since I'll likely get the games I missed used.

Had PSV been natively BC, I wouldn't have gotten a PSP last year, and 20 or so used games. Plus if I owned a Vita I could own Uncharted, hence Sony is loosing on software sales.

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However I think it's more important now with 3 successful console manufacterers. I didn't own an X-Box before, and I largely bought my 360 before my PS3 in order to play X-Box games like Halo 1 and 2 and Conker. I played them and beat them relatively quickly after owning the console, but thast whole first year it was a deal breaker.

Next gen not everyone will have had a chance to own a Wii/PS3/360, so being backward compatible allows gamers access to a large library right from the start, and does motivate people who owned a PS3 last gen to get a NextBox this gen, and Vice Versa.

Its just important at the start of a console generation.

I think it is important as I only need to buy the latest gen console to play the one that came before it at least

now I hope TLG get's ported to PS4 so I don't have to buy PS3 for just one game

I think to increase brand loyalty it helps. It's not absolutely necessary, but... if your console costs the most of all 3 (like the PS4 might), it would really help to increase the value I think, and to make people more comfortable with the investment (like me). I skipped PS3 because of the steep price, the lack of games I was interested in... I don't know if I will bother to get a PS3, but if someone told me the PS4 would be backwards compatible, I would be more inclined to get the PS4. Just because there are a handful of games on the PS3 I am interested in.

In short, I think it's a good gesture for a company to include backwards compatibility. It encourages people to play your older library who haven't and in turn, boosts loyalty in your brand and in the software you offer. For people who are already enthusiasts, it's not a big deal really except for convenience.

I think it's important.

I can forgive discs-based games not being compatible, but digitally distributed games better be compatible.