Sony’s decision to drop backwards compatibility during the PS4 era stirred up quite a bit of conversation, especially since it was a cherished feature during earlier generations. It’s often believed that the shift in console architecture was behind this change. Still, back in 2015, a controversial comment by former executive Jim Ryan suggested otherwise, hinting that the company didn’t really see the value in it.
Celebrating 30 years of PlayStation’s rich history, a webpage noted the introduction of backwards compatibility with the PS2 as a rare and celebrated feature at that time. It was one of those unexpected moves from PlayStation that really resonated with gamers eager to play their beloved collections from previous consoles.
When pressed about the absence of backwards compatibility in the PS4, Ryan remarked that while it was a feature frequently requested by the community, it wasn’t actually utilized very often. Recounting an event he attended, showcasing Gran Turismo on different PlayStation platforms, he noted how outdated the PS1 and PS2 games appeared, questioning, “why would anybody play this?” His words, understandably, didn’t sit well with many fans.
Despite these past comments, today there’s still a clamor for re-releases of classic PlayStation titles, which are consistently popular on PS Plus Premium. However, one downside remains: PS3 games are only available via streaming, which itself is restricted to certain countries, leaving many gamers wanting more.
