I've been thinking about the ps4's lack of backwards compatability and how it might be problematic during the transition from ps3 to ps4. It's obvious that Sony's plan is a giaki streaming service solution, but this sounds like it wont be ready in time (at least during the first part of the transition when it could be the most important).

So I had an idea for a PS3/PS4 CROSS BUY PROGRAM

During the transition many games will be made for both ps3 and ps4. Watch dogs, call of duty, destiny, etc. The largest game publishers will be making cross gen games for sure, because the low install base of ps4 will not be profitable enough (plus why leave potential customers out?)

So why not put both ps3/4 games on one disc and offer a sort of cross buy program. This minimizes the problem of backward compat for purchasers of at least the newest ps3 games, and would really helps software sales of ps4 games imo.

Think about it. It's not like many sales would be potentially lost (who buys a game then gets an upgraded version of the same game later?). In fact; a cross buy system like this could encourage gamers from holding off on getting games at the end of the generation (many skip buying games toward the end of a generation because they are waiting for the better version on the next system and saving their money for the newest best thing). Publishers would win because they get the ps3/ps4 base to sell games to still (somewhat combines base for game sales during transition) and gamers would have a special incentive to keeping getting games for their ps3s because they'd be building up a library of ps4 games (adds a special incentive to buy ps4 too).

Any reason why something like this wouldn't work?

I think PS4/PSV cross buy will work better.

Anyway you can play any PS4 game through Vita with exception of the PS Move or PS Eye required games.

I'm not sure how this would help the lack of backwards compatibility. Most people want backwards compatibility so they can sell their old system, buy the new one and keep playing their old games along with a few new ones while they wait for the next gen to really get going.

Packing in a PS3 version with the PS4 version of a game doesn't make much sense to me. If you only have a PS4 you have no need of the PS3 version. If you only have a PS3 you'll most likely play the PS3 version and not need the PS4 version when you do get around to buying a PS4. If you do have both a PS3 and a PS4 you'll still only need one version of the game and I think it's safe to assume you'll play the PS4 version and toss the PS3 version.

I really only see companies losing money on PS3/PS4 packs. I don't even think it would help PS4 sales. Collecting PS4 versions of PS3 games that you have already played isn't going to convince anyone to buy a PS4.

I do see what you're going for. You're basically making PS3 game purchases compatible with PS4 by way of a second disc. I just don't think it would do anything but lose money for publishers.

At the first glance I got super excited but then after a minute I thought it doesn't make much sense.

im not sure what the point would be? if i own a PS4 and a PS3 il buy the game on PS4 and never even think about a PS3 version...
it actually makes no sense

yeah this would never work on Sony customers.  We're used to waiting a month or two for DLC on COD so waiting a couple months for the PS4 version of GTA5 (most likely out of all the rumored ones I think) wouldn't be a big deal.  Especially when we'll have Puppeteer to play in September.

I think you're mising the poiint. A program like this would not help day one ps4 buyers or people who have both systems! I actually plan on getting a launch system and of course keeping my ps3s so something like this would not help me at all!

But that's not the point. Not everyone is a day one adopter like us. In fact most wait a good while to jump to the next system. A program like a ps3/ps4 cross buy would be for the millions of PS3 owners who might be sitting on the fence about ps4, and also sitting on the fence about whether they should still get games on their ps3.

The value proposition of a ps3/ps4 sku might be much higher than a ps3 only sku. It would entice ps3 only owners to continue to buy games on ps3 because each purchase would be an investment in the future. Instead of feeling like they should just save their money until they get their ps4 or for the ps4 versions of the same games. Think about pc gaming. If I want to upgrade my rig do I have to go out and buy Crysis 3 again? NO! Wouldn't PS3 player want to buy a game that they know they'll be able to play an upgraded version of once they get PS4.

Plus the small catalog of ps4 games you now own offers a strong incentive to upgrade to ps4. Every cross buy PS4 game in your library is a nagging little reminder that ps4 is you next system of choice. You already have an investment toward that future purchase .

From a publisher side I do not see them loosing money. A combined ps3/ps4 sku is not going to sell significantly different numbers than a separate ps3 and ps4 sku. The install base will have only a partial overlap for the first year or two. Plus the added value for ps3 owners might translate to higher sales from that group.

Edit- In thinking about it a program like this will not solve backward compatability at all! But it could help with the transition from ps3 to ps4 by offering a sort of  UPWARDS COMPATABILITY!

PS4/Vita Crossbuy makes lots of sense. PS3/PS4 Crossbuy makes zero sense.

I get what you're saying. Both versions on the same disc is pretty interesting. When I got a PS3 I really only played the later PS2 games, a lot of which came out while the PS3 was around. If those PS2 discs had PS3 versions on them, buying a PS3 is something I would have done much later on. I don't think SONY wants to encourage that.

I get what you are saying.

Basically people who don't buy ps4 right away can still enjoy their game on ps3 but when the inevitable switch come and ps3 stops getting support then the consumer has all the games they bought for the ps4 to make a switch less painful