As is often the case with the passage of time and the arrival and maturation of new console generations, it looks like Sony might be getting ready to shut down some of the online services for its older consoles. According to Insider Gaming, the company is reportedly starting up the process of sunsetting some of the legacy features of PlayStation Network that were used for the only services of the PS4.
While Sony itself is yet to make any official announcement on the matter, according to the report, the sunsetting of these features means that new games submitted for certification for release on the PS4 after Spring 2026 will not be able to integrate with the features. These features are Activity Feed Web API, Title Small Storage, Title User Storage, Users and Profiles, Word Filters, and Shared Media Web API.
It is worth noting that this does not mean that PS4’s servers are being taken down. Rather, some of the features that were used specially for the consoles which have since been deprecated in favour of newer APIs and features will be unusable. Things like multiplayer services, PlayStation Store and even the social features will still be accessible and usable for PS4 players. According to the report, documentation about the sunsetting of these features notes that “these services are designed to provide a more unified and scalable foundation across console generations.”
PlayStation 4 was originally launched all the way back in late 2013, and now the console is just a month away from its 12th anniversary. The PS4, along with later hardware revisions and upgrades like the PS4 Slim and the PS4 Pro, marked an era of dominance for Sony in the console market, and the large number of PS4 consoles still out there means that we still see major yearly franchises being available on the system. This includes games like Madden NFL, EA Sports FC, and Call of Duty, among others.
There have also been plenty of non-yearly franchise games that are coming out on PS4 in recent times, including FromSoftware’s recent multiplayer title Elden Ring Nightreign and Capcom’s remaster of Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny, and even indie titles like Little Nightmares 3 will be coming to the console in just a few days.
Whether or not the sunsetting of these features means that Sony is getting ready for a larger push to leave the PS4 behind as it starts planning for the eventual release of the PS6 is currently unknown. However, even if the company were planning to sunset online services for the console as a whole, the decision would likely still be quite a few years away.
In the meantime, it is also worth keeping in mind that PlayStation Plus might start feeling less valuable for PS4 players. Sony had confirmed earlier this year that it will start phasing out PS4 games from its monthly offerings through PlayStation Plus subscriptions, since “many” players are “currently playing on PS5”. The phase out is slated to start in January 2026. However, games that have both PS4 and PS5 versions will still continue to be added to the service.
It’s always a bit bittersweet to see older services winding down, especially for a beloved console like the PS4. Change is inevitable as new technology emerges, but those memories and experiences will always remain special. Looking forward to seeing how Sony evolves in the future!
I completely agree! It’s a reminder of how quickly technology evolves. It’ll be interesting to see how Sony supports the PS5 and future consoles to ensure a smooth transition for gamers.
I completely agree! It’s a reminder of how quickly technology evolves. It’ll be interesting to see how this impacts the PS4 community and the games that have defined that generation. Many players have such fond memories tied to those titles, so it will be essential to preserve that legacy in some way.
I completely agree! It’s a reminder of how quickly technology evolves. It’ll be interesting to see how this impacts the gaming community, especially for those who still enjoy classic PS4 titles. The transition might also lead to more players exploring the capabilities of the PS5.
I completely agree! It’s a reminder of how quickly technology evolves. It’ll be interesting to see how this affects the gaming community and whether players will adapt to newer consoles or stick with their favorites. The transition might also influence game developers and their support for older titles.