Though Sony has started to reveal information about the upcoming PlayStation 5, which includes potential backward compatibility support for the system, it seems like it still isn't quite sure how it'll work.
There have been numerous leaks and rumors regarding the PlayStation 5 over the past year, many of which have claimed that the system will be capable of running games from every iteration of the PlayStation in the past. This doesn't mean that the PlayStation 5 will come bundled with a CD-ROM drive in order to run twenty-year-old PlayStation games, but it would have an easier time running digital versions of these games in an authentic way.
It seems that the leaks regarding the PlayStation 5's potential for backward compatibility may have been off the mark, as the company doesn't seem to be sure how well it will work in the finished version of the system. The recent outpouring of information regarding the PlayStation 5 resulted in a statement to Famitsu magazine, which has been translated by Twitter user bk2128. It seems that the developers of the PlayStation 5 are still verifying whether the system can have full backward compatibility with the PlayStation 4.
The PlayStation 4 has been criticized for its lack of backward compatibility with older PlayStation systems, which some have attributed to Sony wanting to release "remastered" versions of established games at full price. The PlayStation 3 had an extensive library of PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games on PSN, yet most older games on the PlayStation 4 have been restricted to the PlayStation Now service.
There has been a trend regarding console launches where the initial line-up of games is underwhelming and leads to people ignoring the system for the first few years of release. The gaming public has wised up and realized that it's better to wait for the first few killer first-party releases, as they are usually accompanied by a bundle deal or price cut.
It also makes sense to wait, as it gives the developers a chance to iron out any bugs during the launch of the system and add in any promised features that had to be delayed. If the PlayStation 5 has extensive backward compatibility at launch, then it means that the system will have a huge library of games that are ready to go when it's first released. The only question now is whether it can handle backward compatibility for the PlayStation 4.
Source: Twitter