PlayStation Boss Not Interested in Making PS4 Versions of PS5 Games

PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan is uninterested in making PS5 games run on PS4 hardware, stating that developers working on next-generation games should “make the most” of the new console’s advanced features. Talking to GamesIndustry, Ryan said “We believe that when you go to all the trouble of creating a next-gen console, that it should include features and benefits that the previous generation does not include. And that, in our view, people should make games that can make the most of those features.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/18/playstation-5-specs-detailed-ign-now"] The PS5 features a variety of new tech that is bespoke to the console, such as a controller that provides haptic feedback to simulate surfaces, and an SSD that offers 100x higher data transfer speeds, allowing for game data to be allocated in different ways compared to traditional mechanical hard drives. Simply put, these things can’t be translated to the PS4 hardware because the older console is not capable of doing so. It appears Ryan would much rather developers take full advantage of the new technology instead of worrying about cross-generation support. “We do believe in generations, and whether it's the DualSense controller, whether it's the 3D audio, whether it's the multiple ways that the SSD can be used,” he said. “We are thinking that it is time to give the PlayStation community something new, something different, that can really only be enjoyed on PS5." This approach is different from that being employed by Microsoft. The plan there is for Xbox Series X games to also work on the older Xbox One hardware, albeit running at lower quality. The approach means developers must consider the limitations of older technology while developing for what is technically the most powerful of the two next-generation consoles. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=confirmed-playstation-5-games&captions=true"] We’re set to see more from Sony at the next PlayStation 5 conference, which will take place in June. The console is still set for release this year, and Ryan has said that COVID-19 will not impact the PS5’s price. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Purslow is IGN's UK News and Entertainment Writer. You can follow him on Twitter.