Shortly before E3 2019, Jim Ryan also confirmed to CNET that PS5 would be backward compatible with PS4 games. The company also plans to offer cross-generational play, meaning that in theory, you can start a game on PS4, continue playing that same save and progress on PS5, and even go back to PS4. Your save states would be preserved in Sony's servers.
"Whether it's backwards compatibility or the possibility of cross-generational play, we'll be able to transition that community to next-gen," he said. "It won't be a binary choice about whether you have to be either on PlayStation 4 or next-gen to continue your friendship."