I doubt the japanese gamers will dig the lack of BC at all, however japanese gamers tend to keep their consoles more, so the 40gb might not affect them as much.

Even as they Sony machine pushes these things out, I'm getting the idea that PS3 is still more about Blu Ray as it ever was. In their eyes it just about getting people to buy, and two fingers to gamers.

If they can remove a vital component of PS3 and think nothing of it that's gotta be ttheir mindset.

I wouldn't say backwards compatibility is vital. It's strange that people see it as a reason to buy a PS3, when you could just get a PS2. It's cheaper as well, so the extra money could buy you a PS2.

I have a PS2, but I haven't played a single PS2 game since I got a PS3. It's nice to know that the PS3 could play PS2 games, but it's the most important thing ever.

However, although I don't feel the need to complain, I still don't think they should have removed it.