Sony ends the journey of PlayStation 4, a console with a legacy of 4,500 games and 118 million sales

Sony officially announced the end of production of the PlayStation 4, marking the end of one of the most successful chapters in the history of video games. Lançado in November 2013, the console will no longer be manufactured from April 2025, consolidating an era spanning more than a decade that redefined digital entertainment and set new standards for the industry.

With more than 118 million units sold globally, the PS4 is positioned as the second best-selling desktop console of all time, surpassed only by its predecessor, the PlayStation 2. Its success was driven by a vast catalog of games, technological innovations and a strong focus on narrative experiences that captivated millions of players around the world.

The console’s cultural impact is undeniable, having influenced not only the way games are developed and played, but also how they are shared. The platform has transformed itself into a connected entertainment hub, integrating social networks and streaming services in a way that has become standard for the next generation.

A trajectory of success and innovation

Since its launch, the PlayStation 4 has demonstrated impressive commercial strength, quickly outpacing its direct competitors and establishing a solid user base. Sony’s strategy focused on offering powerful hardware at a competitive price, combined with strong support from first-party studios and partner developers.

In 2016, the PS4 family expanded with the release of two new models: the PS4

The DualShock 4 controller was also a mainstay of the experience, introducing features like an integrated touchpad, a built-in speaker, and the “Share” button. Este last, in particular, revolutionized the way gamers interacted, allowing for the instant capture and sharing of gameplay videos and images, fostering online communities.

This combination of affordable hardware, continuous innovations, and a gamer-focused ecosystem solidified the PlayStation 4’s dominant position throughout its lifespan, creating a loyal base that remains active even after its successor arrives.

Catalog of games that marked a generation

The main pillar of the PlayStation 4’s legacy is, without a doubt, its library of more than 4,500 games, which includes some of the most acclaimed and awarded works in history. Sony has invested heavily in its in-house studios, resulting in a series of exclusive titles that have not only sold millions of copies, but also set the standard for interactive storytelling and technical excellence. Títulos like Naughty Dog’s “The Last of Us Part II”, which racked up hundreds of awards from Ano’s Jogo, and Outros monumental hits include “Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End”, Insomniac Games’s “Marvel’s Além In addition, Guerrilla Games introduced “Horizon

The importance of connectivity and community

PlayStation 4 was designed with connectivity in mind, transforming the gaming experience into a social act. The aforementioned “Share” button was the catalyst for this change, simplifying the process of sharing gameplay moments and fueling the growth of content creators on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.

PlayStation Network (PSN) has established itself as a robust ecosystem, housing a community with more than 110 million monthly active users. The network not only allowed online gaming, but also access to the PlayStation Store, which became the main showcase for purchasing digital games, expansions and other content.

The PlayStation Plus subscription service has evolved significantly during this generation. Além went from being a requirement for online multiplayer to offering subscribers a selection of monthly games at no additional cost, exclusive discounts and cloud storage for saves, adding considerable value to the platform’s overall experience.

Pioneering accessible virtual reality

In 2016, Sony took a bold step by launching PlayStation VR, a virtual reality device designed specifically for the PS4. The initiative aimed to democratize access to VR technology, offering a cheaper and simpler-to-use alternative compared to the solutions available for PCs at the time.

With more than 5 million units sold, PS VR has established a sizable user base and encouraged the development of unique immersive experiences. Jogos as “Astro Bot Rescue Mission”, “Resident Evil 7:

Challenges faced during his era

Despite its enormous success, the PlayStation 4’s trajectory has not been without challenges and criticism. At launch, one of the most recurring complaints was the lack of backwards compatibility with PlayStation 3 games, a feature that many players expected. Sony tried to mitigate this with the PlayStation Now streaming service, but the solution didn’t please all users who wanted to access their library of old games directly on the new hardware.

The security of the PlayStation While the company has worked to strengthen its infrastructure over the years, these incidents have served as a reminder of the growing importance of digital security in an increasingly connected world.

The transition to the new generation

Even with the launch of the PlayStation 5 in 2020, the PS4 continued to be a relevant platform for millions of gamers. The global semiconductor shortage, which limited production of the new console, and Sony’s strategy of releasing major titles such as “Horizon Forbidden West” and “God of