Is there even a market for old indie titles?
Well according to the CEO of Sony PlayStation Ryan speaking in 2017 said “When we’ve dabbled with Backwards Compatibility, I can say it is one of those features that is much requested, but not actually used much.”
This actually shows that well they can do it but don’t want to. This means that there is a niche of very specific people that are still into consoles but are more into nostalgia of the gaming world rather than just for the story, that latest games are focused towards.
Playing games in the older times was simple as some would say. It was easier and there was less complication to the game. You shoot, you score, you win. Now a day’s games are more story driven and graphics would be seen as the main concern. It’s like a hours long movie that you have to make decisions in only to end up in the same ending (some of the times).
The experience can be good but is a personal preference for most people. So, for these OG PlayStationers. Is it okay to create something for these old timers? Well Sony and other developers are capitalizing on this niche for far to long.
Old titles have been renewed for the latest consoles and well the old hack and slash games now have a story line to compliment them and give them a place in the new world of gaming. Some of the titles include:
- Duke Nukem
- Doom Series
- Tony Hawks Pro Skater 1 and 2
- And much more
So are these titles enough for the older folks? Well by the looks of it they are performing very well in game and in the market. They generating revenues for the developers and hence pushing them to create new sequels to these games. Which only begs for one question. Is going back in time and creating the old games again for the new console the only way to enjoy this next gen backwards compatibility ( I am not even sure what to call it)
We have seen moders before modding different games like GTA 5 to give them a completely next gen experience and that is where the developers saw this demand rise up and well social media was quick to put the fuel on the fire and spreading the word.
That gave birth to games like the FPS mode in GTA5 for PCs and next gen (then the Ps4 and Ps5). Now I think developer would be more concerned about the customers than every before. Every since we saw the down fall of Call of Duty Infinite Warfare, just because they did not listened to the popular demand of the public.
Some might call this a mob mentality but well the paying customer gets what he/she wants in this capitalist world I guess.
Sony has been recorded to have patented somethings showing that they are adding new features to older games, this might show that we could have this in the future.
Companies often patent things that never come to market so this neat little idea may end up being something that never sees the light of day.
Not only does the PS5 backwards compatible with PS4 games, but it improves them. Some PS4 games have higher and smoother frame rates when played on the Playstation 5.
While most PS4 games can be played on the PS5, there are some PS4-only titles. Here are the ones Sony mentions on its website:
- Afro Samurai 2 Revenge of Kuma Volume One
- TT Isle of Man – Ride on the Edge 2
- Just Deal With It!
- Robinson: The Journey
- We Sing
- Hitman Go: Definitive Edition
- Shadwen
- Joe’s Diner
The good news is that this list hasn’t grown at all in the last few months. Hopefully this means that the rest of Sony’s titles will continue to receive compatibility support.
How about PS, PS2, and PS3 games?
If you’re wondering whether PS3/PS2 games will have backwards compatibility with the PS5, the answer is sort of. Physical disc versions of PS2 and PS3 games are not backwards compatible with the PS5, though that could change with future news from Sony Interactive.
I think only time will tell what Sony has in store for us next. Lets all keep our fingers crossed.
