Game news PS5 / Xbox Series X: Backward compatibility, a communication tool above all? (Video)
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While the next-gen consoles are still planned for the end of the year, the presence of certain features are still unclear, starting with that of backward compatibility on PS5. But is this really an important feature? Our opinion in video!
After confirmation from Ubisoft that the PS5 will only be able to play PS4 games and not PS1, PS2 and PS3 games in terms of backward accounting, the debate over this feature resurfaces. While this information was already present during the technical presentation of the console by Mark Cerny, the architect of PlayStation 4 and 5, it has still not been officially confirmed by Sony.
If the absence of this feature is proven, it would be a new point of difference between Sony and Microsoft. Beside, the Redmond firm has made more than 600 backward compatible games on Xbox One by working on each of these titles one by one, and intends to continue in this logic with its Xbox Series X.
An underused feature?
However, is this feature really used? If Microsoft has not released official figures, Phil Spencer, president of Xbox Game Studios, tweeted in 2016 that 50% of Xbox One players have already tested this feature at least once. However, a study conducted by Ars Technica shows that Xbox One gamers average playing time spent on older games on the machine is only 1.5%.
If backward compatibility does not seem particularly used by gamers, it sends a strong message to the faithful, as a reward for those who have followed the brand for years, and that, Microsoft has understood. In addition, with Smart Delivery, Microsoft will offer Cross Buy between its two generations of consoles, in other words, a game purchased on Xbox One will give access to an improved version of this same game on Xbox Series X. A choice that fits in with Microsoft’s editorial line, which focuses more on service than hardware.
It should still be noted that the PS5 is not left out in terms of backward compatibility, since it offers it with PS4 games. But while the Xbox Series promises to run all Xbox One games (aside from those requiring Kinnect) while improving their performance, Mark Cerny explains that the PS5 must use the underclock, which is to lower the operating frequency of the console, to launch PS4 games.
To go further on the subject, you can find here Kaaraj’s article on the link between backward compatibility and console sales.
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By TheXsable, Writing jeuxvideo.com
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