EA doesn't expect next-generation consoles to be backwards compatible

© Sony

Electronic Arts' chief financial officer Blake Jorgensen has suggested that the publisher does not expect the next Xbox or PlayStation console to be backwards compatible.

Jorgensen recently spoke about the publisher's transition into the next generation of consoles at the Goldman Sachs Technology and Internet Conference in San Francisco, where he said that lack of backwards compatibility could impact EA's sports game sales.

© Microsoft Games

"An important thing to remember is that next-gen consoles will most likely not be backwards compatible… And if you [play] multiplayer on a game, you'll most likely not be able to play with someone on a different generation," Jorgensen said.

"And so if you're a FIFA player and, and the soccer season's starting in August, and all your friends are playing FIFA, you're going to want to be on the same box that they're on. So if they all go out and buy a gen-four box if it comes out at Christmas, then you'll most likely do it. If they all hold on and continue to play on third-generation, you'll probably not see that box purchase until after the soccer season's over."

For reference, publishers often refer to the current generation of consoles as "third-generation" while the next Xbox and PlayStation are considered "gen-four", with the generations referring to 3D-capable systems.

Jorgensen added that users should expect to see multiplayer connectivity to have a stronger focus on the new systems, and that he expects to see greater integration between consoles with tablets and smartphones.

Many rumours have circulated about the next Xbox and Playstation consoles, which are expected to launch before the end of 2013.

Sony has announced a PlayStation event for February 20, when the company is tipped to announce its next PlayStation console.