Sony is systematically winding down support for the PlayStation 4, a console that has sold 117 million units over its 13-year lifespan. The company has laid out a clear roadmap to push users toward the PS5, effectively rendering the PS4 obsolete by 2026.
The Timeline of Decline
- March 2025: Reduction of social features on PS4.
- October 2025: End of tournament support.
- January 2026: PS Plus benefits shift exclusively to PS5.
- Spring 2026: New games will no longer be required to run on PS4, marking the final blow.
Key Milestones
- Genshin Impact has already confirmed it will drop PS4 support by the end of the year.
- Call of Duty Black Ops 7 is expected to be the last major AAA title released for the platform.
What This Means for Players Single-player games will remain playable offline, but online multiplayer and cloud features will gradually disappear. Sony is following a script of planned obsolescence, similar to what other tech giants have done with older hardware.
While the PS4 remains a capable machine, the message is clear: Sony wants you on PS5. The clock is ticking for the millions of gamers still clinging to their trusty PS4s.