HappySqurriel on 30 December 2012
Backwards compatibility may not get used that much but it is a huge feature in terms of sales because of brand "lock-in" ...
If (like the Wii U) you can play all of your old games, and use all of your old accessories, with the new system it lowers the risk in most people's mind about buying the system. Once you're making a clean break, and you need to buy entirely new games and accessories, it reduces the need/value in sticking with the same manufacturer.
With that said, I think Sony should be releasing a system that plays and enhances most PS3 games but with the rumoured hardware I think that is unlikely; and I'm doubtful that there will be much in the way of backwards compatibility.
