The two companies might work together on next-gen consoles

Jun 2, 2012 04:51 GMT  ·  By

A rumor reported by Game Informer suggests that video game hardware creator Sony is putting together a deal with digital streaming service Gaikai, which will allow the company to start offering titles originally launched for the PS2 and the PSOne on its current-generation console, the PlayStation 3.

The new service, which currently does not have an official name, will offer first-party games at first and will then allow third-party development teams to also stream their back catalogs.

At the moment, the core Gaikai service has titles from publishers like Electronic Arts, Ubisoft and Capcom and all of its activity has been linked to the PC.

It’s not clear if all titles that are now part of Gaikai will also be included in the Sony deal.

Backwards compatibility was a part of the first version of the PlayStation 3, but support for the feature was eliminated when the new Slim version was introduced in August 2009, with Sony stating that only a minority of those who bought the console were interested in it.

A PS2 Classic game offering was introduced via the PlayStation Store and includes a number of games like: Max Payne, Need for Speed: Most Wanted and SSX On Tour.

Gamers can also pick up PSOne classics, but the user base has complained that the most important releases for the platforms have not yet been added to the catalogs.

A Gaikai deal for the PS3 might also mean that Sony is considering working together with the streaming service when its next-generation home console will be introduced.

Neither Sony nor rival Microsoft have unveiled plans for next-gen devices, but the two companies are expected to make an official announcement before the end of 2012.

The Nintendo made Wii U is expected to launch this year, after getting a hardware re-reveal at E3 2012.