It's already known that Sony's next-gen PlayStation will be backward compatible. However, the feature will also allow owners of the new console to play with gamers sticking with the PS4.
Sony confirmed as much during a Q&A session at their IR Day 2019 conference.
"Backwards compatibility gives us the opportunity to migrate that community from PlayStation 4 to next-gen," CEO Jim Ryan explained. "Using the ability to play the PS4 games that they have on their next-generation console."
Ryan added that the PS5's backward compatibility is "incredibly powerful" and a "critical success factor." Note that we can't be completely sure the console will be called PS5 as an official name hasn't been revealed just yet, but, of course, that's very likely to be the case.
So, potential buyers won't have to worry about a narrowed player base when Sony's new console hits the market. Players could jump into a game of Fortnite or Apex Legends and find bases still populated with PS4 users who could join in on the fun.
We imagine that people were worried about the possibility of losing friends; this is quite a serious matter. Imagine your friend telling you he or she can't tag up online with you anymore because they are getting a PS5 and you aren't ready yet. Sucks, right?
In an effort to keep those gaming bonds strong, Sony is making it so that won't ever be an issue. You get to upgrade and keep all of your friends.
There's been a lot going on where the next-gen console is concerned lately, with lots of information being disclosed by Sony. Sadly, the price and the exact release date of the upcoming console are still unknown, but a Japanese analyst is claiming that it should cost $499 upon its launch in November 2020.
Meanwhile, Sony has also confirmed that both Remote Play and PlayStation Now will feature on the upcoming console.