The PlayStation 4's era as a primary platform for major live-service games appears to be nearing its end. A growing industry consensus suggests that following Genshin Impact's landmark decision, numerous other popular live-service titles are poised to abandon the aging console in favour of focusing development on the more powerful PlayStation 5.
Genshin Impact developer HoYoverse sent shockwaves through its massive player base last week with a stark announcement: Version 5.0, arriving later this year, will end support for the PlayStation 4 entirely. Players on the last-gen console will be unable to update or access new content beyond the current Version 4.8.
"After the Version 4.8 update, the PlayStation 4 version will no longer be supported... We recommend that Travelers playing Genshin Impact on PlayStation 4 use other platforms to continue their journey in Teyvat."
This move, while disruptive for PS4 players, is seen by analysts as an inevitable tipping point. The PS4, launched in 2013, struggles with the technical demands of constantly evolving, graphically intensive live-service games. Developers face increasing challenges in maintaining feature parity and performance across generations, often sacrificing innovation or visual fidelity for the PS4 version.
The Ripple Effect Begins
Industry reports now indicate that Genshin Impact is unlikely to be the last major live-service game to make this cut. Sources suggest several other prominent titles, facing similar technical constraints and seeking to leverage the full capabilities of the PS5 (like faster SSDs, superior GPU power, and advanced features like ray tracing), are actively planning or considering sunsetting PS4 support within the next 12-18 months.
The logic is compelling. Focusing resources solely on current-gen hardware allows developers to:
- Push Visual and Technical Boundaries: Create larger, denser worlds with higher-quality assets and effects.
- Streamline Development: Reduce the time and cost associated with optimizing for older, weaker hardware.
- Implement Next-Gen Features: Utilize the PS5's unique capabilities without compromise.
- Improve Update Speed & Stability: Simplify the patching and deployment process for new content.
Sony's Confidence in the PlayStation 5 Transition
This shift aligns with Sony's own strategic focus. While the PS4 player base remains enormous, Sony is actively driving adoption of the PS5. Recent reports highlight strong software sales and engagement metrics on the newer console, suggesting a healthy and growing ecosystem ready to support these premium live-service experiences.
Analysis suggests Sony's confidence in the PlayStation brand, particularly its current-gen trajectory, is well-founded. The platform holder is likely supportive, if not actively encouraging, of developers making the leap to PS5-exclusive development for demanding live-service titles, viewing it as essential for pushing the medium forward.
What This Means for Players
For PS4 owners heavily invested in live-service games, the message is becoming clear: upgrading to a PS5 (or shifting to PC/mobile where supported) is increasingly necessary to maintain access to the latest content and features in the biggest titles. While not every game will drop PS4 support immediately, Genshin Impact's high-profile move signals the start of a significant industry-wide transition. The era of cross-generational support for demanding, constantly updated live-service games is rapidly drawing to a close on PlayStation, with the power of the PS5 becoming the new baseline.
Notice on the Removal and Discontinuation of Updates for Genshin Impact on PS4®#GenshinImpact
— Genshin Impact (@GenshinImpact) August 6, 2025
Dear Traveler,
Thank you for your continued support and love for Genshin Impact on PS4®! Due to limitations related to hardware performance and platform application size, we will be… pic.twitter.com/aNRBhkBvXE
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