Sony confirms the end of production of the PlayStation 4 and its legacy of more than 118 million units sold

Sony officially announced that production of the PlayStation 4 console will end on April 18, 2025, ending one of the most successful cycles in the history of video games. Lançado in November 2013, the device established itself as a global phenomenon, surpassing the mark of 118 million units sold worldwide, which positions it as the second best-selling desktop console of all time, behind only its predecessor, the PlayStation 2.

The console not only dominated its generation in sales, but also left an indelible mark on pop culture and the way gamers interact with content. The introduction of features such as the “Share” button on the DualShock 4 controller revolutionized gameplay sharing, facilitating live broadcasts and capturing memorable moments, integrating platforms such as Twitch and YouTube directly into the user experience.

With the end of manufacturing, Sony turns its full focus to the PlayStation 5, which continues to expand its user base. However, the PS4’s legacy lives on through its vast library of games and the community of players that formed over more than a decade, celebrating an era of innovation and storytelling that defined an entire generation of digital entertainment.

The cultural impact and the sharing revolution

The PlayStation 4’s reach has transcended sales numbers, becoming a mainstay of modern home entertainment. The console was instrumental in solidifying Sony’s strategy of focusing on grand single-player narratives, which have become synonymous with the PlayStation brand. Through its cycle, the company has strengthened its internal studios, such as Naughty Dog and Santa Monica Studio, which have delivered some of the most critically acclaimed games in history. Essa approach not only ensured a competitive advantage, but also raised the industry standard for big-budget game development, with an emphasis on complex scripts, deep characters and high production quality. The platform has also become a central entertainment hub, integrating video and music streaming services, and has established itself as a staple device in the living rooms of millions of families, surpassing its primary function as a gaming device and becoming a complete multimedia hub for consuming diverse digital content.

A generation marked by exclusive titles

The PlayStation 4’s game library is undoubtedly its greatest asset, with more than 4,500 titles released throughout its lifecycle. Exclusive games have been the cornerstone of its success, setting new sales records and receiving hundreds of industry awards.

Titles like “The Last of Us Part II,” hailed as Jogo of Ano in 2020, and the reboot of “God of Ambos games have been celebrated for their mature scripts, motion capture performances, and cutting-edge visual design.

Other notable successes include “Uncharted 4: A Thief’s

Hardware innovations during their lifecycle

Throughout its existence, the PlayStation 4 has received important updates that have kept the console relevant and competitive in the technology market. In 2016, Sony launched the PS4 Pro, a more powerful version of the console capable of running games in 4K resolution and with improved frame rates. Esse movimento foi estratégico para atender a um segmento de consumidores que buscava maior fidelidade gráfica e já possuía televisores compatíveis com a nova tecnologia, prolongando o apelo do hardware no meio de seu ciclo.

In the same year, the introduction of PlayStation VR opened the doors of virtual reality to the console market in an accessible way. With more than 5 million units sold, the device offered immersive gaming experiences such as “Astro Bot Rescue Mission” and “Resident Evil 7:

The transition strategy for the new generation

Although the PlayStation 5 launched in November 2020, the PS4 continued to play a crucial role in Sony’s strategy. The older console served as an important bridge to the new generation, ensuring that the vast player base was not left behind.

Due to global supply chain challenges that affected initial production of the PS5, the company continued to release major titles on an intergenerational basis. Large Jogos such as “Horizon Forbidden West” and “God of War Ragnarök” were made available for both PS4 and PS5.

This extended support approach demonstrated the importance of the PS4’s installed base, which remained a viable and popular option for many consumers even after the release of its successor.

The console’s extended relevance helped keep the PlayStation ecosystem strong during a time of global market uncertainty, ensuring players had continued access to new, high-quality content without the immediate need to move to new hardware.

Community reactions and value to collectors

With the announcement of the end of production, the gaming community began sharing their favorite memories using the hashtag #PS4Memories on social media. Fãs from all over the world recalled memorable moments experienced in games like “Bloodborne” and “Persona 5”, celebrating the impact that the console had on their lives.

At the same time, the collectors market is already seeing an increase in the value of special and limited editions of the console. Versões themes, such as “God of War” or “Death Stranding”, are becoming coveted items, with prices likely to rise as they become rarer.

Focus on storytelling and in-house studios

The PlayStation 4 era was marked by the consolidation of Sony’s strategy of investing heavily in its internal studios, known as PlayStation Studios. Essa bet has resulted in a consistent lineup of high-quality, exclusive games focused on dense narratives and single-player experiences.

Studios like Insomniac Games, Sucker Punch Productions and Guerrilla Games delivered some of their most important work during this generation, establishing a standard of excellence that became a signature of the brand and a clear competitive differentiator in the console market.

The evolution of online services

The PlayStation Plus subscription service has also evolved significantly during the PS4 cycle. Deixando from being just a requirement for online multiplayer, the service now offers a selection of free monthly games, exclusive discounts on PlayStation