| Mmmfishtacos said: Sony made special ps3 server boards which would be able to handle many users on one card. MS would have to do something similar. They arn't going to store millions of ps3 around the world for a streaming service, they would never make any money that way. |
You still have the problem of specialized hardware that ultimately is going to cease production.
IBM has ceased production of the Cell processor. Sony has the capability to manufacture the Cell 8i processor on their own, but with diminishing returns. The further out, the more expensive it gets.
Likewise, you're still dealing with limited user to hardware ration. Let's say you're capable of getting three PS3's to one 1U "server" via physical hardware. You're still dealing with essentially 3 users to 3 consoles. You're just sticking it into a smaller package.
Emulation allows you to have a data center with 300,000 servers, and at a moments notice take one that's not being used and have it automatically turn-up to offer that specific hardware/software capability. So let's say I can still only operate 3 PS3s to one 1U server. I may still have the same limitation, but if I have another server with PS3 VMs installed on it, I can instantly turn those up so they function as PS3s. And if I happen to a 2U or 4U server with more processors and more memory, I can easily support more VMs and more users.
Emulation, by means of virtualization, is the most logical, rational, and financially viable long-term option for offering backward compatibility. Either locally, or via an online service like PlayStation Now.
An online service just allows a company like Sony or Microsoft to montenize it.
