PlayStation 4 Won’t Have Backwards Compatibility, “Happy With Our Approach”

Microsoft may have announced that the Xbox One will be backwards compatible with Xbox 360 games but according to PlayStation Europe head Jim Ryan in a conversation with MCV, Sony has no intention of following suit. This is because the company is already focused on numerous other features for the PS4.

Regarding the Xbox One’s decision to implement backwards compatibility, Ryan said, “It is an entirely legitimate approach, and if you are seeking to upgrade 360 owners to Xbox One, it is a very logical approach to take.” However, he further added that with regards to how the feature will work, “I suspect there might be a few twists in that particular tale. But we will see”.

As for Sony, it’s currently focused on delivering its own unique software updates. “Unfortunately there are just not sufficient enough software engineers in the world for everyone to do everything. Each platform holder has to make their choices, we made one and they made another. Their choice is entirely legitimate, and I think our choice is legitimate, too. In some ways it is quite nice to have points of difference between the two platforms, and people will decide which approach suits them best.”

It’s not like backwards compatibility is a foreign concept to Sony. The company featured such compatibility with the PS3, which could run PS2 games. “We have experience of backwards compatibility. The earliest PS3 model was backwards compatible with PS2, and it is a much requested feature…but actually it’s not so greatly used.

“On balance, we are happy with our approach and we don’t wish to be defensive about it at all. But as I say, both approaches are legitimate.”

Thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments. Xbox One backwards compatibility is currently available for Preview Program members but arrives this Holiday season for everyone else.