It’s becoming increasingly likely that Sony will soon discontinue some online services for its older consoles, a common occurrence as new generations arrive and mature. Insider Gaming reports that the company is beginning to phase out some older PlayStation Network features specifically used for services on the PS4.
Although Sony hasn’t officially confirmed anything yet, the report indicates that new games seeking certification for release on the PS4 after Spring 2026 won’t be able to use certain features. These include the Activity Feed Web API, Title Small Storage, Title User Storage, Users and Profiles, Word Filters, and Shared Media Web API – meaning these features are being discontinued. Essentially, games released after that date will no longer be able to integrate with them.
It’s important to understand that this doesn’t mean the PS4’s servers are shutting down. Instead, certain features originally built for the console are becoming unavailable because they’ve been replaced by newer, more modern technologies and features. PS4 players will still be able to access things like multiplayer gaming, the PlayStation Store, and social features. The documentation regarding these changes explains that “these services are designed to provide a more unified and scalable foundation across console generations.”
The PlayStation 4 first came out in late 2013, and it’s almost at its 12-year anniversary. The PS4 – including updated versions like the PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro – really established Sony as a leader in the console world. Because so many PS4 consoles are still being used, big game franchises continue to release new versions for the system. These include games like Madden NFL, EA Sports FC, and Call of Duty, to name a few.
Besides annual releases, many other franchise games have recently become available on PS4. This includes the new multiplayer game Elden Ring Nightreign from FromSoftware, Capcom’s updated version of Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny, and even independent games like Little Nightmares 3, which is launching on the console very soon.
I’m wondering if Sony phasing out these features is a sign they’re starting to move on from the PS4 and look ahead to the PS6. Honestly, it’s hard to say for sure right now. But even if they *were* thinking about shutting down online services for the PS4 completely, I’d guess it’s still years away. They don’t just flip a switch overnight, you know? It’s probably a long-term plan, and they’ll give us plenty of warning. It’s just speculation on my part, but that’s what I’m thinking. We’ll have to wait and see what Sony officially announces.
While we wait for more news, PS4 players should be aware that PlayStation Plus might not feel like as good a deal in the future. Sony announced earlier this year that they will gradually stop including PS4-only games in their monthly PlayStation Plus offerings, because “many” players are now using PS5 consoles. This change is scheduled to begin in January 2026. However, if a game is available on both PS4 and PS5, it will still be added to the service as usual. It’s important to note that this only affects games exclusive to the PS4.
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2025-10-02 16:41