From Blake Jorgensen(EA's CFO):
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/...e_beans_on_its_nextgen_plans.php#.URq8OvLA1R1
"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. 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.
"And I think that works for us positively in both ways. It helps us continue to sell gen-three products, and it will help us sell gen-four product as that cycle finally gets into place."
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/...e_beans_on_its_nextgen_plans.php#.URq8OvLA1R1