In developer documentation released on Sony's internal PlayStation partner website and reported by Eurogamer, the console developer has given game developers an additional task before their titles can be released.
This means that people buying the games should be able to play them on the PlayStation 5 if and when they choose to upgrade to the next-gen console. It will be on the developers to make sure that this rule is implemented in their releases.
In an update posted on social networks, Sony have postponed the Future of Gaming showcase event originally planned for this Thursday, June 4. No new date has been given for the rescheduled event.
The ability to check whether a game has been tested for compatibility was added a few weeks ago in an update to the PS4 developer kit, according to Eurogamer, with 'compatibility' meaning the game offers the same features on PS5 as on PS4. Its submission code will also need to run without issues for it to pass the test.
The rules only apply to games submitted after July 13, but Sony are also encouraging that any patch or remaster for games submitted beforehand to follow the same guidelines.
We're still to learn just how Sony will deal with compatibility with the PlayStation 5, and whether it will be fully backwards compatible with PlayStation 4. They have said that a large tranche of games will be compatible, stating 'an overwhelming majority' of the current PS4 catalogue will be supported.
This follows Microsoft's declaration that they want their entire Xbox One catalogue to be available on the Xbox Series X, and the use of Smart Delivery to give players the best version of a game according to their platform.
We could find out more on June 4, when Sony host a special The Future of Gaming event showcasing PS5 titles. It's not known whether this will include the console itself.
In a very technical presentation originally meant for the cancelled GDC conference, lead architect Mark Cerny finally revealed the hardware details for the upcoming PlayStation 5.
