Sony Acknowledges Strong Demand for Backwards Compatibility Before Launching PS4

Sony has finally admitted that backwards compatibility was once a standout feature and warmly received by gamers until it disappeared with the PS4. For a while, many believed that the shift in console architecture was the reason Sony didn’t include this feature in the PS4. However, a remark in 2015 by former executive Jim Ryan hinted otherwise, suggesting that the company didn’t see much value in offering backwards compatibility.

When celebrating PlayStation’s 30th anniversary, an interesting note on their website highlighted how rare backwards compatibility was when the PS2 launched and how much players appreciated it. “PlayStation’s unexpected but gamer-friendly choice was a hit with players who had amassed collections from previous consoles,” noted a section on the topic.

Back in 2015, Ryan was asked about why the PS4 lacked backwards compatibility. He responded that while it’s a feature often requested, it didn’t seem to be in high demand when offered. “I was at a Gran Turismo event not long ago, seeing games from PS1 up to PS4,” Ryan shared with TIME. “The PS1 and PS2 games seemed so outdated—who would want to play those?” His comments didn’t sit well with many fans.

Despite his earlier comments, re-releases of older PlayStation games remain sought after and have turned into popular features on PS Plus Premium. Unfortunately, PS3 titles can only be streamed and aren’t available worldwide.