Documentation released on PlayStation’s internal partner website has been seen by Eurogamer. The document, part of an updated develop kit, states that new PlayStation 4 games must be tested for compatibility with the PlayStation 5’s system. Any game submitted for certification from July 13, 2020 must comply with these new guidelines.
Sony will deem a title compatible so long as all of a game’s features are supported and operate across both the current and next-gen consoles. In addition, a game’s submission code must run without fault.
Games submitted to Sony after July 13 must remain compatible with the PS5 forever. All patches and remasters will be required to operate on the next-gen hardware.
Once PlayStation 5 compatibility exists, it cannot be taken away. It appears the Sony are wanting to ensure that gamers who part with their PS4 when the receive the PS5 are not left high and dry without adequate support.
Titles that received certification before July 13, 2020, are “strongly recommended” to patch for PS5 compatibility, Eurogamer reports. Though nothing has been confirmed, it’s likely that flagship titles that fall into this category will patch accordingly to enable forward compatibility.
It’s a relatively safe bet that Ghost of Tsushima and The Last Of US Part 2 will conform to the recommendation, and logic would suggest that hits like Final Fantasy VII Remake, Doom Eternal, and Nioh 2 will be considering the same.
This news comes a day after Microsoft’s Jason Ronald announced that the Xbox Series X will launch with thousands of back-compatible titles.