Sony patent sparks PlayStation 5 backwards compatibility rumours again Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Sony patent sparks PlayStation 5 backwards compatibility rumours again "Remastering by emulation." News by Vikki Blake Contributor Updated on 16 Apr 2019 111 comments A newly published patent has sparked rumours about future Sony consoles and backwards compatibility. As reported by Gearnuke, the patent (via ResetEra) - entitled "remastering by emulation" - was published on 2nd October 2018 by Sony Interactive Entertainment America. However, if you look at the "filed date" a few lines down, you'll see the application was initially made on 22nd November 2016. Remastering textures The full application - which certainly appears to be legitimate - is pretty overwhelming, but it essentially details the live remastering of textures from old games and replacing them "on the fly" with shiny new ones better suited to contemporary resolution displays. "Each asset such as a texture called for by legacy software such as a legacy computer game software has a unique identifier associated with it," the patent explains. "The unique identifier can be rendered by imposing a hash on the asset, and then the asset stored with its identifier in a data structure. An artist remasters the textures for presentation on a higher resolution display than envisioned in the original software, and stores them back in the data structure with their identifiers. "The original software is then played on the higher resolution display, with asset (such as texture) calls being intercepted, identified, and the data structure entered to retrieve the remastered asset having a matching identifier. The remastered asset is then inserted on the fly into the game presentation." There's also information about "audio calls" in the patent. While initially intriguing, a diagram accompanying the application suggests this is the same remastering system as applied to audio files, wherein the game "calls" for audio. Remastering audio calls While it certainly sounds like a system for emulating older games for current-gen consoles, we need to take into the account the timing of the application. Would Sony have been thinking about backwards compatibility for a next-gen console back in 2016, or is this more likely the technology the PlayStation 4 currently uses to run PS1 and PS2 titles on PlayStation 4, running under emulation? Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 4 Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 11 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Sennheiser's legendary HD 599 open-back headphones are just £70 at Amazon in the Prime Early Access Sale Comfortable with neutral sound and a wide sound stage. Preview Football Manager's new Console edition is the best you'll get without a PC Getting Touch-right. 1 Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store