Sony PlayStation 5 Release Date, Features: Another Major Clue Hints at Backwards Compatibility on Next-Gen Console

Sony is uncovering more details about PlayStation 5, but it remains mum on the topic of backward compatibility. Luckily, another information just surfaced that hints at the said feature being available on the next-generation console.

A patent filed by Sony Interactive Entertainment in March 2016, published in October 2017, has explained how the company intends to make backward compatibility happen. Given the timing of its filing, it is apparently intended to be used for an upcoming tech such as the anticipated PlayStation 5.

As the feature's name suggests, backward compatibility will allow newer consoles to run video games that were programmed or developed for older gaming platforms. People have seen this on Xbox One where hundreds of titles made for Xbox 360 eventually became playable on the modern rig with all the gaming data and gamer's progress being carried over as well. Unsurprisingly, Sony plans to offer something better in the rumored PlayStation 5 backward compatibility.

One of the best ways to gain an advantage in this area is by making the process of synchronization as smoothly as possible. That way, many older games could immediately become playable on PlayStation 5. And that appears to be the above-mentioned patent is for. In simpler terms, Sony is aiming to allow developers to make their games backward compatibility-ready without altering much of its codes.

“The performance of an application on a new device may be closely matched to the performance of that same application on the legacy device by tuning the operating parameters of the new device,” Sony explained in the filing purportedly related to PlayStation 5. “Examples of operating parameters include, among other things, the clock frequencies of the new device, the number of available general purpose registers (GPRs), instruction launch rates, and the like. The application may be run repeatedly on the new system while tuning its operating parameters to adjust the application-specific performance characteristics.”

Meanwhile, Sony has officially recognized the development of PlayStation 5 last month. Unfortunately, it was also confirmed that the next-generation console will not be available this year. However, the release of some technical details at this point increases the possibility that a new gaming platform will be launched in 2020.