The PS4 has been so successful for Sony that it has kept the console longer than many expected. The PS5 has gone well, but it’s clear that the vast majority of the PlayStation user base still has the older hardware, and so the platform owner has continued to cater to those who haven’t made the leap yet. However, at some point, support will have to stop and it looks like the cut will be by 2025 at the latest.
This graph indicates the phasing out of the first-party PS4 software. (Image: Sony)
This image, taken from Sony’s recent investor presentation, shows how the company plans to evolve its own production to advance. As you can see, in the third column, which represents the year 2025, the PS4 software is nowhere to be found, consisting of PS5, PC and mobile. In other words, sometime between now and 2025, support for first-party PS4 games will be phased out, with the emphasis on PS5.
This is a much more gradual progression from one console platform to another than we are used to. Usually, once new hardware is available, the first part support for the old machine falls down a cliff, so this extended period of cross-generation is quite unusual. Since the PS5 stock is still struggling to meet demand, it makes sense to keep this large PS4 installation base active. God of War Ragnarok will land on both platforms, but Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Marvel’s Wolverine will be PS5 exclusive, so Sony is slowly pushing users. It’s slower than we all thought.
What do you think about that? Do you think Sony’s commitment to PS4 is the right way to go or should it focus directly on PS5 right now? Tell us in the comments section below.