Sony confirms its plans to keep supporting the PS4, despite being deep into development of its next-generation console, the PS5. The company also describes the PS4 and the success of the console as being "critical" to the company's business.

During a meeting of investors, Sony said that it would keep supporting the PS4 for at least three more years. Sony's statement said that the PS4 would "remain the engine of engagement and profitability for the next three years." The PS5 release date is expected to be in late 2020, but PS4 players shouldn't expect Sony to just drop their platform the second that the next-generation console is released.

The PS4 is so important to the company, said Sony, as the console "will provide the fertile early adopter gamer base critical for Next Gen success." The PS5's backward compatibility technology has been one of the most talked about parts of the console so far.

Many PS4 players seem to be very happy with the idea that the PS5 will be compatible with PS4 games, whether that's through game streaming or if it will work like the Xbox One backward compatibility does with game discs and downloads. So, it's not surprising to see Sony again state that it wants to tap into that.

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The support for the PS4 could also mean that players see many cross-generation games. Sony has teased that some games, such as Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding, will be available on both PS4 and PS5. Naughty Dog's hotly anticipated sequel The Last of Us Part 2 and Sucker Punch Productions new IP Ghost of Tsushima are two other games that are rumored to release on PS4 and PS5 as well. If Sony is to support the PS4 for three years then other major PlayStation exclusives announced between now and 2022 could also be available on the two consoles.

At the moment, Sony's full plans have not been confirmed. Making cross-generation games allows these games to sell well while the PS5 install base is still small, but it also means that players won't have to buy a PS5 to get those same gameplay experiences. However, PS4 players will be happy to hear that they aren't being left behind after the shinier and newer console is released.

Source: Sony