SIE CEO Jim Ryan says the PS4 will be supported through 2022 crossgen

Jim Ryan, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, says it is "crucial" for the company to support the PS4 through 2022. This means cross-generation versions of upcoming games. This could include titles like Demon Soul and the next God of War, though we'll have to wait for direct confirmation. PS4 sales have stayed strong, with over 113.8 million consoles shipped as of Sony's Q2 financial report.

[Jin_Sakai]

Can’t wait until 2023 when we finally leave current gen consoles and their outdated tech behind. Games will really start to shine then.

And before Xbox fans bring up the quote from Jim Ryan “we believe in generations” we’re getting a next gen console, next gen controller, and built from the ground up next gen UI. At the end of the day Sony exclusives still look amazing regardless of being cross gen thanks to having some of the most talented developers in the industry.

[Atom666]

Think you might be just a little defensive in that 2nd paragraph? Wow. I'm guessing you were one of the people who mocked MS about crossgen? Let it go, man.

This has always been the plan to some extent if you go back to Sony's prior statements and get past the console war stuff.

With Sony doubling down on these big AAA blockbusters, they really want a large install base to sell to at all times. Even selling at a blistering speed, they might hit 20-25 million PS5s by end of next year.

So when you think about the hundreds of devs you've paid millions of dollars to make Forbidden West for the last 4 years, would you want to sell to just that 20-25 million, or 100million +?

The market is so saturated now, you really need that big base to be there when a game launches. This is the same model 3rd party has deployed for generations...because it's smart.

I can appreciate people wanting new new new, but that's not the best call in the current market. They don't need to hit that hard reset button every 6 or 7 years anymore.

As someone who grew up always being the last to afford to upgrade, I think it's awesome that these corps are taking this approach.

[darthv72]

Im fully expecting the games that started development on PS4 to finish and release on PS4 while also getting proper enhancements for the PS5. So games like God of War 2 and GT7 still have a chance of fulfilling that trend of two releases per generation. Its what we have been getting since their initial release on the PS1 and PS2 years ago.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

@Atom just like it was the end of Xbox with their cross gen games https://n4g.com/news/231886...

[Atom666]

@Darth

Agree. I'm 70% convinced GT7 is cross-gen, and maybe 50-50 on GoW. It makes a lot of sense considering how long these teams worked on the last engines too. That's a lot of resources spent to only get one game on PS4 out of it.

@Angel

Yep. That made me laugh. All of those downvotes I received was nice too.

[nickanasty206]

Especially with harware shortages that will probably linger throughout all of next year would be my best guess.

[Obscure_Observer]

"And before Xbox fans bring up the quote from Jim Ryan “we believe in generations” we’re getting a next gen console, next gen controller, and built from the ground up next gen UI."

Lol. Who cares about Jim Lying and his lies at this point?

More great first party exclusives for almost 120 million PS4 owners? That´s what I want to hear!

[Profchaos]

Xbox fans can't talk series s has basically ensured we never actually see the full power of our new systems from third party Devs.

Hopefully in a few years Microsoft can make it no longer mandatory to support the series s I doubt it though

[CaptainHenry916]

I hate to admit this but I have to agree with @Obscure_Observer Jim Ryan did lie and I hope he don't become another Don Mattrick

[dcbronco]

@Profchaos

I guess that's like we've never seen the full power of a PC GPU. You playstation people are amazing in your rationalizations.

@Captain Henry

Sony knows it needs to make money to push out exclusives and buy studios despite the coming economic challenges. They have no choice on last gen or PC. And eventually the Game Pass model.

[S2Killinit]

Doesnt series S sort of hold xbox back indefinitely?

[dcbronco]

The idea of one console generation holding back another is one of the silliest arguments in gaming. When architectures were more complicated and tools not as useful resources were strained if you had to make several different copies. The problem is optimization. Now you have systems based on the same APIs and we've been x86 a while. Holding back because of previous generations is now just something fanboys that don't understand anything say. Besides PC has always had the best version the vast majority of the time. And there are huge numbers of people playing on 720p machines with a thousand variations of hardware. The previous generation argument is a argument for the ignorant. Let it go and do a little more reading.

[MadLad]

You done with your little tangent, champ?
That second paragraph was unneeded, cringy, and a bit defensive.
We're all glad you love your little piece of plastic you play your games on.

[gravedigger]

Sony can drop 1st party games cross-gen support, but cross-gen support also means it will be supported by 3rd party games. Like FIFA. Demon's Souls already isn't a PS4 game.

[nickanasty206]

Gross-gen has happened for every single generation. There is always an interim period where old consoles are still supported. I do realize that i do need to take into consideration that you are younger and have lived through less console generations, so i'll give you the benefit of the doubt there.

[Valkron1]

Ha! Child, you must be really young because I remember when there was no cross gen! There was no Mario 64 on the SNES, no Metal Gear Solid 2 on PS1, no Kameo on OG Xbox. Those were generational leaps. You must not be too old, lol!

[nickanasty206]

Since disc based this has always existed @Valkron. There is always a period when both consoles are supported before moving on to the next gen exclusively. BTW, metal gear solid 2 was not anywhere near a launch game for PS2. PS2 had matured for quite some time before MGS2 came out. Also, i meant cross-gen support. Happened with the Xbox 360 as well, end of generation original xbox games like Far Cry Instincts and Burnout Revenge, originally released on OG xbox and made their way to Xbox 360 for the "next gen" experience. Playstation 2 nearly had full backwards compatibility for PS1 to ease the upgrade process. PS3 original 60 gig models had support for PS2 and PS1 games.

[danny818]

Lmaooo does your girlfriend know you write stuff like this defending Sony? Lmao

[RazzerRedux]

Dude....your post is just silly.

edit: as are the responses to your post. nah...I'm out. Fanboy bullshit frenzy.

[Edgelordsupreme]

He basically revels in fanboy arguments, its kinda fun watching him squirm. Its like when Timotim, Darth or whomever says something dumb; its fun to point and laugh at the people THAT attached to their plastic boxes.

[King_Noctis]

“ And before Xbox fans bring up the quote from Jim Ryan “we believe in generations” we’re getting a next gen console, next gen controller, and built from the ground up next gen UI”

Isn’t Xbox SX has all of that as well? Or am I missing something here?

[Rude-ro]

Game engines.
How dated, re-used, re-skinned engine makes or breaks the feel of “new”.
Yes, you need hardware designed to push it... but every gen that had wow moments were to “new”.
Most games are just modified engines for cheaper development..

Sony spent this gen building new game engines. Like the decima engine. That is why you saw it move to pc as well.
Sony also helps developers bring these engines to life.

They built these engines to run on a PS4 and to get boosts on the ps5.

Example... the only new engine supported by Microsoft was the one used for sea of thieves.
And it was the water engine.

One brand was not only stale... but because of the stark differences in approach, it stood out to the majority of consumers.
Sony chases advancements. That is literally their existence.
They put a lot of their eggs in gaming and that is the importance of their existence.
How do you live off of that? Innovate.

Halo infinite is Microsoft’s most needed franchise... and we all saw what they were going to sell.
That was, after a very long drought of any must have games, was their cross-gen offering.
Nothing near anything Sony offered this gen let alone what we all expect to see next gen.

Them Microsoft fans will put up their fight... I think just to fight... but they are also standing up for a brand that lost more than half of their install base due to their lack of must have games.

[neutralgamer1992]

Nothing new Sony has always supported it's outgoing consoles for few years. But don't be surprised if a lot of that support comes from 3rd
parties. Ps3 got the last of us than it got support from 3rd parties

I think exclusives that will come later 2021 might not come to ps4. I am also convinced Sony studios can truly take advantage of ps4 and ps5 without titles being held back. Look at spiderman MM loading alone on ps5 yet the title is also on ps4. Sony studios were some of the best ones to begin with so if anyone can handle cross generation it's them. Some of their current released games look next generation to begin with

[Sophisticated_Chap]

Thankfully, not everyone thinks like a complete and total sucker!

[DarXyde]

Sony has always supported prior hardware for a while after the new consoles come out. It's quite expectant, and it's why I felt that criticizing Xbox about that was going to backfire—and it has. The limited quantity of consoles during a pandemic is reason enough to warrant that kind of response.

I also want to say that people are being unfair to Xbox; people always poked fun at Microsoft for dropping console support quickly after the successor is released, but now, we're seeing them address that and it's problematic for people.

I can understand the "no next gen exclusives" argument people have now since it doesn't necessitate the newer hardware... but that didn't stop people from buying One X or Pro either—same games, more powerful hardware. Even still, the experience has evolved (perhaps more so on PS5).

[obz]

Oh p*ss off you shameless hack

[TheKingKratos]

You guys talk like ps4 will have switch graphics

You forget the jaw dropping God of war / The last of us 2/ Horizon / Spiderman / RDR2 are all near 4k with the best graphics around and Tbh i haven't seen any thing that look next gen other than a UE demo on ps5

All the cross gen games will look the same other little higher res and few graphics options that went from high to Ultra setting

We won't get to see true next gen games till 2023
everything shown can be done on the Pro or the Xbox one x and look almost as good as ps5

[MadLad]

I just remember the tone and narrative of many on this site when MS said there's going to be no real exclusives for the coming Xbox generation for a few years, and how much trash was thrown their way on this site. How their current gen was going to hold their next generation games back.
This was prior to Sony announcing just how many of their games were going to be doing the same thing.
Now that the fact Sony is doing something fairly similar is out in the light, so many on here are back pedaling, talking about "well look how good the games look on PS4", or "games are scalable, so it's fine".

It's just really hypocritical, in my opinion.
And yes, all those games look great and run at fairly high resolution ... on a Pro. Just like the series X, the large majority don't own the mid-gen refreshes. So if both companies are indeed trying to maintain both generations going through the next couple years, they need to keep the base models in mind at all times.

[thesoftware730]

Nice attempt at damage control..it was never about UIs and such it was always about the games..

You sir sounds ridiculous..at the end of the day Gears 5 looks amazing as well..ultra PC settings with extra..what's your point?

[isarai]

As long as there's still SOME experiences built from the ground up for next gen, i don't mind. I WAS hoping HFW would be one of those tho 😒

[MoonConquistador]

And on PS 5 it will be. And GG will make it the best they can on the PS 4 also, it's not like they're gimping the game just because it's appearing on two different systems. PS 4 is obviously very capable of running the engine.

The PS 5 will look better, run better, and be more immersive due to their focus on audio aspects and haptic feedback etc.

This says more about Sony's good track record of supporting their "previous" systems and a good decision business wise considering the user base they'd be selling to than it does about lessening the quality of the PS 5 version.

[isarai]

Look better, run better, absolutely. But in its core design it will still be shaped around the limitations of the PS4. Not saying it will make it a lesser game, it's just not going to really show what these new consoles can truely do for game design. Still excited for it, and will be there day 1 for it, but it's not going to be as showing of the next gen experience as say Ratchet and Clank

[MadLad]

This wasn't the narrative had by the majority on this site prior to Sony announcing just how many games were going to be for both PS5 and PS4.
When it was just Xbox saying they were going to be cross generation for a few years, it was holding games back and not real next gen experiences.

A fair bit hypocritical, if you ask me.

[MoonConquistador]

@The Real Ted Cruz

Now go find me something in my previous comments that runs with what you've just stated.

How am I being hypocritical when you're basing your argument against me on what other people have said.

Don't pull me into YOUR Sony Vs MS battle

[potatoseal]

Just build all future games from the ground up for PS5, and then strip what you need to strip to get them to run on PS4 and I guess I will be fine with it. Ratchet and Clank will be impossible, unless you strip a whole lot away and add loading times to gameplay mechanics lol. But yeah MS was right about not leaving the last gen people behind. But at least Sony has games like Demon's Souls, Ratchet And Clank, Godfall and Destruction All-Stars to push PS5 next gen showcases.

[darthv72]

I believe R&C was in development on the PS4 before it was switched to the 5. What im curious about, and have not seen any footage of, is if you can go through any rift instead of the ones in front of you (as seen in the game play demo). Id imagine this game to be more open world but it could run on a PS4 if it is a linear game. Even with rift jumping. you have to figure, IG was working on it on the PS4 first so they would likely have gotten it to work. But obviously the PS5 is much quicker at streaming in assets.

All the other games you mentioned dont really push the Ps5 either. I mean Demon souls... that was a Ps3 game so to think a remake wouldnt be possible on the Ps4 is pretty naive. Especially when it had been rumored (and requested) for quite a while. Im not saying these games wont look good on ps5, im just saying they wont push the hardware. We will in time see games that do that, as is the case with any console generation. The games you see mid to end of gen outshine those at the beginning because of the time and effort put into them and the talent of those who can figure out new things to do with the hardware.

[potatoseal]

Nah, I think Ratchet and Clank was to be a showcase for the technology of the PS5. That's the only game that I'm 100% certain would never reach a PS4

[Smclaren1985]

Did you watch the latest demon souls remake gameplay? You can see a stark diff between that and anything else shown so far.That is clearly next gen the lighting , textures , geometry , animations not to mention the ray tracing aswell. It has a 4K 30 mode where they crank up everything to the max.They have stated multiple times it doing thinking’s way beyond current gen hardware. Ratchet rift apart couldn’t be achieved on current gen ether

[RickRoland]

This is most likely what will happen going forward

[FreeFallFrenzy]

Sony has to create some incentive to upgrade fully to a PS5 so I'm thinking they're going to still have a lot of games exclusive, but the franchises that started on PS4 will most likely be cross-gen so the players have a chance to enjoy without upgrading. Hoping GoW can take full advantage of the PS5 though

[nickanasty206]

You have described exactly how they have created games on PC's for years now. Consoles are just that these days, they are PC's. You can strip any game down to make it run on X system, i think that was proven with Witcher 3 on Nintendo Switch. When there is a will or $$$$$ there is a way.

[Zeref]

Destruction all stars isn't pushing anything 😂

[potatoseal]

Don't be so sure my giggling friend ;-)

[StoneyYoshi]

Quit pushing your head up your rear thinking you know what the game that we all know little about is pushing something or not. 😂

[RgR]

The only games I have seen ever being cross gen are from 3rd party developers. I've never seen or expected 1st party to be crossgen except at the very start of a next generation release.

I do believe they supported the ps3 for quite a while after the ps4 launch. Support could just mean system updates and game patches.

[gravedigger]

I expect Sony will drop 1st party games cross-gen support till end of 2021. Already Demon's isn't a PS4 game, R&C isn't a PS4 game. Hopefully Ragnarok also. Anyway, 3rd party can continue to support it forward.

[Hellcat2020]

So Ragnarok might be on ps4 as well?

[throne]

very unlikely,the author is just assuming....when jim says support, hes mainly referring to mostly 3rd party games like they've always done thru the generations.

[darthv72]

It is very likely. Cory stated the bulk of the time in the first game was building the toolsets and engine to make the game. The second would have a much quicker turn around seeing as the groundwork is already laid out. And with a release date of 2021... its very likely the game was already well into production on PS4 and they will be able to get it running on PS5 rather quickly.

[Zeref]

Their big games will be on PS4.

You don't just leave 100 million potential customers behind, just because.

[glenn1979]

Wel wel wel ,just kidding they would be fool no to support PS4 for 2 more years

[Father__Merrin]

Sony are trapped because the ps4 is far too popular to leave

[MoonConquistador]

Trapped in what way?

I'd love to be trapped in the goldmine that is the PS 4. Do you think the head honchos at Sony feel trapped?

Supporting their previous systems isn't something new for Sony this generation, it's what they've always done and they get a lot of respect for it.

[Petebloodyonion]

Hey what do you know?
Logics win and Sony will continue making games for 100 millions users instead of focusing all the small user base.
Color me happy until I see some games that really warrant a next gen console (xbox or Ps5).

[Killer73nova]

Now we know ps4 will be supported for at least 2more years we shall see if new Sony exclusives will be for ps5 or both. If so ps5 is doing the same as Xbox which a lot of people are criticizing Xbox for especially Sony fanboys. I can’t see Sony not adding new titles to ps4 as well. Like why support it at all? Just for 3rd parties?

[JayRyu]

Wow!
MS - we will support cross gen until 2022 = MS is holding back next gen.

Sony - We are supporting cross gen until 2022 = Awesome! Way to not abandon the user base.

[Ryuk_2007]

Ding ding ding! Nail on the head

[aconnellan]

Just here reading the comments with my popcorn

[Fishy Fingers]

Well this is internet gold.

[Knightofelemia]

Good people can still enjoy a new game if they can't find a PS5 out in the wild. Just wondering when Sony will pull the plug on the PS3 going online they have been pulling the plug slowly.

[Silly gameAr]

Time to twist words and make people think the PS5 is thinking about the past instead of the future? Next thing you know, an article will come out trying to make us believe that BC and resolution is more important than the next gen.

It's almost like, articles like this are written on purpose to try to make us think that both consoles don't have anything new to show.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

Because both consoles dont have anything new to show as far as I'm concerned. Notice every Next gen AAA is CGI Concepts and is still a ways off from release. I guess either company could show off something now until launch still, but I have a hard time seeing that

[cooperdnizzle]

Dude you are taking Xbox problems and putting ps5 in the same boat. Sony have shown way more the cgi trailers.... they have gameplay of almost every game they have announced... and already have games 100% exclusive on day one. Wow people sometimes.. guess ya just live in your own world.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

@Cooper you made this about Sony and MS games only not me. I was talking about 3rd party AAA games and 1st party, all the AAA games. You expect to see anything else from Project Athia? Capcomes New IP now till launch? How bout Sony only games like Forbidden West, Ragnarok, Grand Turismo? Expect to see gameplay from those?

Exactly.

[cooperdnizzle]

You are an idiot. You said they both haven’t showed anything other than cgi trailers. GT has gameplay does it not? And you say and I quote “ Notice every Next gen AAA is CGI Concepts and is still a ways off from release.”

And than bring up Grand Turismo in the next sentence. You Xbox fanboys are seriously delusional, sheep, Puppets etc. I am getting both consoles. But one of those console makes is way way ahead of the other both in games and hardware. That’s PlayStation.

[nickanasty206]

I am god honestly surprised that somehow people seem to think that Phil Spencer is the only liar. It is interesting to see how many commenting on other articles deface Phil for the same type of talk, are a bit mum on this one. LOL. Fanboys, Fanboys, Fanboys... Gotta love em. Funny when the tables turn a bit.

[Silly gameAr]

You know what's more sad than a fanboy? A fanboy that tries to pretend to be neutral. At least a fanboy is honest about their bias, and don't pretend to be nice in one article, so that can give him an excuse to be an ass in another.

To me, those people are worse than any fanboy of any console, on any site.

If people don't see through this article, and try to play dumb, like they don't know what this is, then there really is no common sense, or people that can think for themselves left in this world. Only sheep.

[nickanasty206]

Nah, Silly, i am just calling it like i see it is all. Just like you are saying to do, I'm being honest. I play all games no matter where they are at. I am simply calling out hypocrisy, which in this day and age needs to be done more often. Enjoy where you play, and don't criticize others where they decide that is for them. I have said that all along and stick to it. Games are good no matter where they are at and we should all just enjoy it. Enjoy gaming my friend, we are all in for some great times ahead in a little over a week console wise, and right now for any of those who were fortunate enough to secure themselves a 3000 series card. Sorry if i upset you with my comment, it seems i may have, genuinely sorry if i did. I am equally critical of both consoles and PC, because I am a consumer and should be, its our right because we spend our hard earned money on it.

[The_Sage]

This is what Ryan said,

in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz. Ryan mentions that "our eyes" have been lifted regarding the number of new PS4 players during the ongoing pandemic and that because this audience will make up the majority of PlayStation owners through at least 2022, it is "crucial" to keep them engaged.

The rest is speculation from a guy that read that. He was not even the interviewer. It doesn't sound too me like he is saying there will be no PS5 only games until 2022. This is different that what we've heard from Xbox. Also notice that the only words with quotation marks are our eyes and crucial.

[King_Noctis]

“ it is "crucial" to keep them engaged. ”

How to keep people engaged without releasing new games onto the platform?

[The_Sage]

Not shutting down services and continuing to release updates and support multiplayer in existing games seem like pretty good ideas. Also continuing to release 3rd party games.

[NEXUS-6]

King - ms has managed to keep xbox gamers engaged.

[King_Noctis]

“ Not shutting down services and continuing to release updates and support multiplayer in existing games seem like pretty good ideas. Also continuing to release 3rd party games.”

It’s funny that you leave first party game out of the conversation. It’s like Sony don’t want to sell their new exclusives on the PS4 on top of the PS5 as well or something.

[The_Sage]

We already know that Ratchet and Clank and Demon Souls will not be on PS4.

[King_Noctis]

“ We already know that Ratchet and Clank and Demon Souls will not be on PS4.”

And Horizon 2 and Miles Morales will, and this is their way of keeping their audience engaged.

“ King - ms has managed to keep xbox gamers engaged.”

What does MS have anything to do with this?

[The_Sage]

In essence... Yes. I left out first party on purpose. Games that were in development for the PS4 will be cross gen. Those that started development on PS5 will not.

[Sciurus_vulgaris]

Cross-gen titles should be expected. The PS5,just like the Xbox Series S/X was designed to be compatible with its predecessor. Also, game engines are becoming more-and-more scalable across related hardware.

[Games1st]

He just says support nothing about further first party cross gen.

[jznrpg]

Well he didn’t say crossgen specifically and no new PS5 only games . Time will tell . He said we will continue to support PS4 until 2022 that’s it . That can mean different things . I expect some cross gen titles as they have stated that but I doubt all will be .

[Profchaos]

I've got my order in for ps5 day one but I have friends that are pretty firmly committed to current gen and don't want to make the jump it's good to see they will be supported but I'd like to have experiences that make my new console shine I really think third party support will continue for ps4 for many more years at this point.

It's something I'm a little torn on buy I think the ultimate end game is abandoning current gen but series s is going to hold everyone back anyway so I can see us being stuck in this limbo for a long time thanks Microsoft

[jBlakeeper]

People upset about cross gen games are ridiculous. It absolutely does not make since to release huge AAA games like Horizon on just the PS5. Next year when the game releases there will likely be more PS4 copies sold than PS5. PS4 is still going very strong and it wouldn’t make since for Sony to not support cross gen gaming for another couple of years.

[Sciurus_vulgaris]

If you buy the PS5, you will get the benefit of better performance, faster loading and enhanced visuals. People are complaining because they want to further validate their purchase of a PS5.

[Hawk198666]

I bet a lot of the game's would be perfectly playable in the future on PS4 Pro, the standard PS4 will be holding the Pro back.

[jBlakeeper]

I expect Demons Souls to be released for PS4 eventually. It’s only being marketed as a PS5 only title right now to drive PS5 sales.

[Killer73nova]

If it does I’ll be picking it up on ps4

[DiRtY]

Can we trust him now?
I thought he believes in Generations...

[arkard]

Sony has always supported previous generations at least a couple of years into a new console cycle. The new console still received exclusive games. People are reading to much into this.

[NEXUS-6]

Some people haven't been around long enough to know that Sony normally supports it's consoles for 10yrs, And usually releases one 7 or so yrs into those 10yrs.

[FanboySpotter]

I remember getting a lot of hate for correcting people in saying ms says they will continue to support current gen with first party -only- no other 'party' type was ever mentioned that's when we saw that The Medium and other non first party will be Series X|S exclusive.

I don't doubt the same applies to ps5, non first party games will still be exclusive to ps5(like demon souls)

Sony and MS aren't stupid.

[thesoftware730]

So the same thing MS said at the beginning and got tons of shit for..smh.

I thought Sony believed in console generation?

[Circuitburnout]

Good news for people that can't afford a new console right now.