Backwards Compatibility PS4 PlayStation

Reasons you know E3 2017 is around the corner #5: an executive at a major gaming company just said a silly thing, and now there’s a fast-moving thread on NeoGAF about it. The latest humdinger comes courtesy of Sony Europe chief Jim Ryan on the subject of backwards compatibility, and it’s got people asking that age old question: is arrogant Sony back? Damn, we wished we could include emojis in these articles.

Here’s what Ryan said, courtesy of Time: “When we've dabbled with backwards compatibility, I can say it is one of those features that is much requested, but not actually used much. That, and I was at a Gran Turismo event recently where they had PSone, PS2, PS3, and PS4 games, and the PSone and the PS2 games, they looked ancient, like why would anybody play this?”

Let’s not beat around the bush: this is a terrible comment and he probably realised it was going to get spun the moment it left his mouth. Firstly, his statement ignores the thing that people really want: PS3 backwards compatibility. Secondly, the PlayStation maker currently flogs PS2 games on its new-gen console, so the firm must recognise that someone wants them. Thirdly, just don’t answer questions like that – you’re asking for trouble.

But is he really wrong? Xbox One’s backwards compatibility is obviously a beautifully conceived thing, but how many of you would take it over the incredible lineup that Sony’s assembled in the first six months of this year? And there may be many who will criticise the Japanese giant for peddling various remasters, but they kinda prove his point in some ways – the likes of Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy benefit from being modernised for a new generation.

Still, expect this statement to get a lot of blowback. And probably rightly so.

[source time.com, via neogaf.com]