The PlayStation 4 As We Knew It Is Officially Over, Say Your Goodbyes

The PlayStation 4 had a good run. It's been around for 13 years and has hosted a ton of exclusives, bringing Sony back into the limelight after some PS3 hurdles.

But Sony is now gearing up to go full-speed ahead, and reportedly (via CBR), they're leaving some features behind on PS4.

The PlayStation 4 Era Is Done

It's Winding Down This Year

According to reports, Sony is winding down several features for the PS4:

• Activity Feed Web
• Title Small Storage
• Title User Storage
• Users and Profiles
• Word Filters
• Shared Media Web API

All of this is expected to happen in the spring of 2026, when these features will be wound down, and newer games will be submitted to Sony under these new regulations. Typically, publishers give a wide berth to these sorts of changes so everyone (including developers) can adjust. But this isn't the only thing that's being taken away from PS4 owners.

This is in addition to Sony's 2026 kickoff, when they announced they would no longer focus on PS4 games in PlayStation Plus rewards. Here's Sony's statement on the matter: "As we shift to PS5, PS4 games will no longer be a key benefit and will only be occasionally offered for PlayStation Plus Monthly Games and Game Catalog starting January 2026. We may still provide titles that can be playable on both PS4 and PS5 consoles after this date."

With all these other changes, it's clear that the PS4 is no longer a priority. Expect more features to sunset as the year goes on. It's happened for generations, and Sony isn't the only publisher responsible for sunsetting major console features. 13 years is a long time, and this timeline could have happened a lot sooner had the PS4 not been such a success.

The Console Had A Great Run

It's Been Active For 14 Years

As you probably know, millions of gamers are still playing on the PS4, and haven't made the switch to the PS5 yet. It's currently ranked fifth among the most successful game systems of all time, right behind the Game Boy & Game Boy Color. It's the third-best-selling game console, too, only beaten by the Nintendo Switch and the PlayStation 2.

The PS5 has been selling very quickly, and even beat the PS4 on some sales milestones, so it's only a matter of time until it rises in the ranks and potentially challenges the PS4. But in this current gaming landscape, anything can happen. Prices on consoles are actually rising, not dropping, so that could impact things.

As we say goodbye to the PlayStation 4 this year, we salute its run. It was a good one.