Sony’s decision to disregard backwards compatibility in the PS4 era sparked quite the conversation. The general assumption has been that the shift in console architectures was to blame. However, a comment from ex-Sony executive Jim Ryan in 2015 suggested another perspective: Sony simply didn’t find backwards compatibility valuable.
In a celebratory web post for PlayStation’s 30th anniversary, the company highlighted how rare and appreciated backwards compatibility was during the PS2 period. Players with games from previous consoles welcomed this consumer-friendly move with open arms.
However, the situation seemed different by the time the PS4 rolled around. When asked about the absence of backwards compatibility in the PS4, Ryan remarked that while it was often requested, it wasn’t a feature players actually used frequently. He recounted to TIME an event he attended for Gran Turismo, where games from all four PlayStation generations were on display. His reaction to the older games was less than enthusiastic: “They looked ancient, like why would anybody play this?” His words didn’t sit well with many fans.
Despite Ryan’s past comments, the demand for re-releases of older PlayStation titles has not waned. These classics remain popular on PS Plus Premium, though PS3 titles come with a notable limitation—they can only be streamed and are available in select regions.
