Sony PS4 Won’t Be Backwards Compatible, PS Cloud Service Might Solve That Problem

When the Sony PS4 finally goes on sale, customers with PS1, PS2, and PS3 systems will not be able to put in their favorite legacy games and enjoy them.

Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida confirmed to Engadget on Thursday that the new Playstation 4 console is NOT backwards compatible.

However, the company is examining backwards compatibility options for “some” games by providing service for older games via the PS Cloud service.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the PlayStation 4 will utilize technology Sony acquired from its $380 million acquisition of Gaikai to provide PS Cloud service.

The move away from backwards compatibility has already angered game sellers, specifically GameStop, which derives much of its profits from used game sales.

The PS Cloud service will offer many other functions for Sony PS4 gamers, including access to a new “share” button which allows players to instantaneously share their gameplay with friends.

According to Gaikai CEO David Perry:

“With that one button, you can broadcast from your game, live 100% real-time to your friends.”

Friends will also be able to comment on your gameplay live, and users will be able to hand over control of the game to other gamers.

It is still unclear how the PS Cloud will allow for backward compatibility. If that compatibility requires users to pay for a new service, it could anger people who have already paid for their PS3 games.

There will be one big advantage for the PS Cloud, according to Playstation Lifestyle:

“You can start playing games immediately off of the PSN store, there’s no need to wait for it to download. “Try it for free, share it if you like it, buy it only if you fall in love with it.”

Do you find it strange that the Sony PS4 doesn’t allow for backwards compatibility at least for PS3 games?