The life cycle of the PlayStation 4 has been truly impressive, as the console has maintained a strong presence for nearly 12 years now. The legacy that Sony has managed to build with the PlayStation 4 is a reminder of the console's longevity, but with its successor, the PlayStation 5, now in its fifth year, the days of the PS4 are coming to an end.
Sony's push to retire the PS4 for good has been ramping up recently. Earlier this month, Insider Gaming's Tom Henderson reported that Sony is planning on ending certain services for PS4 games in 2026. Despite these efforts to bring the PS5 into the main spotlight, there are still many gamers who have been fiercely loyal to the PS4. However, as Sony looks to the future, fans of the older generation are beginning to run out of options, and November is a stark reminder of this transition, as PS4 players only have one major title to look forward to next month.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is the Only Major Release for the PS4 This November
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is set to release on November 14.
- The game will be available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
This year has been largely defined by current generation exclusives. Titles like Split Fiction, Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, Borderlands 4, and the upcoming Outer Worlds 2 have all finally embraced the current gen offerings, leaving behind the world of the Xbox One and PS4. With Black Ops 7 arriving in November, PS4 players have at least something major to look forward to, but it's also a clear sign of how slim the options are getting.
Even more interesting, Call of Duty's biggest competitor, Battlefield, has also made the leap to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S exclusivity with Battlefield 6. This isn't a Call of Duty vs. Battlefield story, but it's still another fascinating bit of proof that demonstrates how this year has felt like a defining moment for the PS4 and its impending end.
After Black Ops 7 hits the scene, the gaming landscape is only going to get more sparse for PS4 users. Black Ops 7 may not be a Sony exclusive, but 2026 has some big console-exclusive titles waiting in the wings, leaving PS4 players with the difficult decision to either miss out or embrace the current generation.
As of March 2025, around 30% of PlayStation Network monthly active users reportedly still played PS4.
Titles like Split Fiction, Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, Borderlands 4, and the upcoming Outer Worlds 2 have all finally embraced the current gen offerings, leaving behind the world of the Xbox One and PS4.
PS5 Exclusives Confirmed for the Future
- Saros (March 20, 2026)
- Marvel's Wolverine (Fall 2026)
- Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet (TBD)
Beyond these Sony exclusives, gaming juggernaut GTA 6 is right around the corner, and it's set to be one of the biggest launches for the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Also, unlike the PS4, PS5 players have six big releases to look forward to in November, further proving Sony's shift in focus on the newer console.
The PS4's Dwindling Options Mark a Bittersweet End of an Era
While it's a bummer for a lot of gamers who are still holding onto the PS4, it's also a necessary step forward. The PS4's 12-year life cycle is truly an impressive feat, but with the PS5 now being five years into its cycle, it's time for the attention to shift. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and supply shortages, it has taken the PS5 longer to hit its stride, which makes loyalty to the PS4 make even more sense, but now that the PS5 has taken its rightful place in the spotlight, Black Ops 7 is likely to be one of the last AAA heavy-hitters to launch for the console.
- Brand
- Sony
- Original Release Date
- November 15, 2013
- Original MSRP (USD)
- $399.99, €399.99, £349.99
- Operating System
- Orbis OS
- Processor
- Semi-custom 8-core AMD x86-64 Jaguar APU
- Resolution
- 480p - 4K UHD