Backwards Compatibility Better Be a Feature on PS5 or I’ll Riot

Backwards Compatibility

Y’all remember the first PS3s? That bad boy had backwards compatibility out the wazoo. I could play PS2 games and the original Playstation? Never before in my life had I seen such a technological marvel. I had no idea that such a thing would prove to be a fleeting dream. Sony removed that feature and has stuck to it since.

The PS4 has a subscription-based service for renting older games, which nobody uses. If they can play the game on the console, then why make games from previous generations unusable? As a consumer, it sucks. As a business, the practice doesn’t make sense. Sony is literally missing out on sales by not making games either downloadable or backwards compatible. I can name a dozen people kicking it with the old school PS2. At least give me some more digital remasters!

PS5 Backwards Compatibility?

There are rumors everywhere that the upcoming PS5 will have backwards compatibility, and Sony’s secrecy around the project is suspicious, but there isn’t any concrete evidence to support them. Such a feat is theoretically possible, especially since the upcoming PS5 is looking to change the world of gaming with state-of-the-art tech to put NASA to shame. Personally, I’m hoping for the best. Given the ever-increasing cost of modern gaming, the new Playstation better have something to remain fresh and innovative. Please don’t let Xbox win.

Alternative Future

Let’s say that Sony fails to make my dream a reality. What happens then? Will older games fade into the history books, will there be an epic revival, or will more gamers shift from console to PC? Console exclusives are one argument for remaining loyal, but as we saw with Halo, developers might be willing to share. Alternatively, there are numerous modders to port games and just as many emulators for PC. Consumers might be stuck in their ways and will continue to blindly follow a brand, but how long can that last until those brands stagnate?

Backwards compatibility would bridge players of all generations, which is not only a way to keep franchises relevant, but helps devs see their works in continual use. Whether you want to argue sales, culture, or just consumer demands, the final result is that only one gaming medium can supply everything: PC. What will the future bring and how will we respond?