Here’s why we think Sony will stop supporting the PS4 in 2025.
The PlayStation 4 Is Missing From Sony’s Future Plans
Sony’s May 2022 investor briefing seems to suggest that the PlayStation 4 will stop receiving support by 2025, as first reported by TechRadar. The investor briefing slides show that Sony intends to merge PlayStation Now and PlayStation Plus and continue developing first-party games for the PlayStation 5. Sony’s focus also seems to be developing both live-service games and developing its favorable relationship with Bungie.
In all slides concerning Sony’s future, the PlayStation 5 is mentioned while the PS4 is shunned.
This probably doesn’t surprise you, as Microsoft ended support for the Xbox One in 2020. Both consoles are almost a decade old and have had their time, with the Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5 being the main focus for Sony and Microsoft moving forward.
What Does This Mean for the PlayStation 4?
As noted in the slides, the PlayStation 4 has been a very successful console even late into its life cycle. It still remains a significant source of revenue, with free-to-play games and the PS Store accounting for most of the consumer spending on the console. Sony is still producing PS4s throughout 2022, at least.
However, you’re likely aware of the shortage issues with the PlayStation 5. In fact, you might be waiting on the issue to be resolved before moving on from your PS4. In which case, don’t worry, as there is likely to be a gradual winding down of the console rather than a swift dismissal.
You’ll probably find fewer games releasing on the PS4 in the coming years, with the console winding down completely by 2025. It is unlikely Sony will want to make a big push for users to move onto the PS5 until supply issues are resolved, which is its biggest self-acknowledged priority.
Sony has said that it “believes in generations”, which suggests that it’ll want to move on from the PS4 as the PS5 becomes more accessible to customers, and its plans outlined in the investor briefing demonstrate the narrowing focus on Sony’s ninth-gen console over its predecessor.
PlayStation 4 Support Is Winding Down
The PlayStation 4 has had its day in the sun. It appears as though Sony is looking to move on from its eighth-gen console and focus on expanding its first-party game portfolio for its PlayStation 5 consoles.
If you’re still gaming on a PlayStation 4, you aren’t in any hurry to upgrade. But as time goes on, you’ll be missing out on more games. While the PlayStation 4 can’t match up to the PS5, there are ways you can boost the performance of your console to tide you over until you can upgrade.
