With the impending, and fast-approaching, launch of the PS5 in 2020, Sony fans have been wondering what will happen with the now aging PS4 platform. Gamers got some good news today as a report on the future of the console in the next generation shed some light on the plans Sony has in store for the PS4.
But don’t worry, as the gaming and technology giant plans to keep the PS4 around for a little while longer with new updates and games. In fact, Sony revealed this week that the company is putting the console on a three year timeline for when the console is replaced as the flagship product in Sony’s lineup. In their words, the PS4 would “remain the engine of engagement and profitability for the next three years.”
According to that recent report by Sony, the PS4 ecosystem as a whole generated more than $20 billion in consumer spending in 2018 alone. This massive amount of cash is owed in no small part thanks to the wealth of games and content available on the Playstation Store and related services. These methods for games distribution have accounted for a huge part of Sony’s bottom line, so of course they would want to put more effort into supporting them.
In fact, the PS4 will remain a significant part of the game release schedule until possibly as late as 2022 with the number of Playstation exclusives that have been announced, and are likely getting dual launches on both the PS4 and PS5, In their own words, the PS4 “will provide the fertile early adopter gamer base critical for Next Gen success.”
And while the PS5 will undoubtedly be much more powerful, offering a smoother and more graphically intense experience, there’s millions of PS4 owners out there who would love to throw more money at the platform, and Sony would be foolish not to take them up on that. And with Sony recently having announced an effort to create gaming-focused films and TV that gamers will actually like, it seems like they definitely have their finger on the pulse of the industry to a degree.
In terms of new games that could help prolong the life of the PS4, your guess is as good as mine really. There’s The Last of Us Part 2 and Hideo Kojima’s new Death Stranding which are both rumored to be coming to both platforms.
Source: Sony