If the gameplay can be the same on the PlayStation 4 doesn’t that mean that there are advancements in the PlayStation 5 that are just not being used? Shouldn’t a PlayStation 5 game that uses all of the new features of the PS5 be impossible to run on a PlayStation 4?
In: Technology
Not necessarily. In programming, there are things called Libraries, which are basically common code. You can create libraries for different platforms (i.e., PS4 and PS5) that accomplish the same task, but on a PS5, take advantage of new features. Some of these libraries might be things that are already baked into the console that you’re just consuming as a developer.
For instance, a game might have a call for something like `loadIntoGraphicsMemory()`. On a PS4, that function will have the CPU pull a texture into normal memory and then from there into graphics memory. On a PS5, that function will have the GPU directly pull the texture from store and bypass the main memory. This way, the developer doesn’t even need to do anything and their game runs better on a PS5.
>Shouldn’t a PlayStation 5 game that uses all of the new features of the PS5 be impossible to run on a PlayStation 4?
Not at all. It’ll just have worse graphics on the PS4. It’s no different from the fact that I can play DOOM on my PC with a super powerful graphics card, or on my Switch. The game takes full advantage of the PC hardware, and is just scaled back in terms of graphics on the Switch.
It’s possible to check the system that is running the game and do things accordingly. Think of how websites automatically format based on if you’re on your phone vs laptop, same concept but obviously different technologies involved.
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