Sony has signaled a shift in its strategy, indicating a gradual phase-out of PS4 support. The first notable change is the removal of PS4 games as a major feature in the PS Plus subscription. For PS4 owners, this translates to fewer perks with their membership, beyond the essential functions like multiplayer access and cloud saves. Sony’s message seems clear: it’s time to transition to the next-gen landscape.
Heading into the era where the PS4 won’t be supported as much might not be the news some fans want to hear, but from a business standpoint, Sony’s decision is understandable. According to their recent announcement, a significant portion of their player base has already migrated to the PS5. Thus, the company is realigning its focus to match this shift. While PS4 players might feel left out, it’s crucial to interpret the broader context.
This adjustment to PS Plus is set for 2026 implementation. By then, the PS5 will have matured six years in the market and could potentially be nearing its own phase-out stage. It’s arguably overdue that we embrace the evolving tech since the PS5 offers backward compatibility for most PS4 titles, making the transition smoother.
While the PS4 outlasted its predecessor in terms of support, it’s important to recognize that the console is over ten years old. If industry whispers hold any truth, a PS6 could be emerging as early as 2027.
Given these dynamics, Sony’s move to gradually wind down PS4 support appears logical. It’s not as though the system will suddenly lose online capabilities or access to the PlayStation Store anytime in the near future.