PS5’s ‘incredibly powerful’ backwards compatibility will let you play online with PS4 players

‘Cross-generation the community can enjoy the games together’

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Rejoice PlayStation 4 owners! If you’re not in a position to upgrade your PS4 toSony’s upcomingPlayStation 5, but still want to play online with your squad, then you’re in luck.

Sony has revealed that the PS5’s “incredibly powerful” backwards compatibility feature will allow PS5 andPS4players to play together online.

During a recent corporate strategy meeting, Sony explained how the PS5’s backward compatibility feature will work – in particular, when it comes to multiplayer games.

“Backwards compatibility, in a networked era, becomes something that is incredibly powerful,” Sony CEO Jim Ryan explained (viaGamesRadar). “Because the gaming community is somewhat tribal in its nature, backwards compatibility gives us the opportunity to migrate that community from PlayStation 4 to next gen using the ability to play the PS4 games they have on their next generation console – groups of 10, 20, 50 gamers.

“So we see this, given the size of the community that we’ve been able to accumulate over all these years and hard work on PlayStation 4 as a really critical success factor for us. We think it’s incredibly important.”

Deputy president John Kodera went on to confirm that PS5 and PS4 players will be able to play online jointly, saying “cross-generation the community can enjoy the games together.”

What does this mean?

This enhanced backwards compatibility feature means that even if you have a PS4 and your friend has a PS5, you’ll be able to play online together.

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Although, Sony hasn’t revealed whether this backwards compatibility feature will only apply to specific games, such as Sony exclusives, or be available for all online mutiplayer games.

At the same presentation, Sony revealed thePS5 will offer “seamless” Remote Play cloud gaming and “dramatically improved graphics rendering”.

An award-winning games journalist, with seven years of experience in games journalism and a degree in journalism from City University, London, Vic brings experience from IGN, Eurogamer, The Telegraph, VG247, Dot Esports and more to the TechRadar table. You may have even heard her on the radio or speaking on a panel, as she’s previously appeared on BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5, BBC Radio Ulster and more. Not only is Vic passionate about games, but she’s appeared on both panels and podcasts to discuss mental health awareness. Make sure to follow her on Twitter for more.

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