Lately, there has been plenty of discourse about why modern video games are still supporting a 12-year-old console like the PlayStation 4. Players are bewildered as to why this is still happening, especially since the PlayStation 4 can barely keep up with the technological demands of newer titles. There has to be a reason, right? Obviously.
The first wave of conversations began when Destiny 2, Bungie’s live-service looter shooter, continued to receive support for PlayStation 4. Many members of the Destiny 2 Reddit community were confused about why Bungie kept pushing the dated console with its new expansion, Edge of Fate, which is a graphically demanding DLC filled with more enemies and fast-paced encounters, including the Desert Perpetual raid.
The PlayStation 4’s limited CPU and RAM are starting to show their age on Edge of Fate’s new map, Kepler. Some players were even complaining that they’re getting more and more crashes since the update dropped. It severely undermines what Destiny 2 could have been by stripping away the visual flair and enemy density that make the expansion worth purchasing. Big set pieces like this are no longer possible on older hardware, and Bungie is forcing itself into a corner just to keep the game running.
Granted, the Tiger Engine used in Destiny 2 is also dated, but if Bungie continues on this path, it will dampen any chance of upgrading the modern-gen versions since they still have to account for the PlayStation 4’s hardware in future updates.
Next is NetEase’s Marvel Rivals, a major pop culture phenomenon that took the world by storm when it launched. Some have even called it the “Overwatch killer” thanks to its impressive roster of heroes and fun mechanics.
Just recently, NetEase announced that the game is also coming to PlayStation 4. Players were shocked, and some even joked that the console might explode the moment someone uses a Doctor Strange portal, which is notorious for breaking performance in the game.
This move also raises concerns for matchmaking, since queuing with PlayStation 4 players could hurt competitive matches. Losing a valuable teammate mid-battle because of hardware limitations like lower framerate is frustrating, and crashing during a heated teamfight is a nightmare for anyone climbing the ranks.
The answer to why developers keep supporting the PlayStation 4 is simple, and it’s not rocket science. It still has an active player base. In fact, 2025 marks the first year that the PS5 finally surpassed the PS4 in monthly active users, which is telling considering the PS5 is only in its fifth year while the PS4 is in its twelfth.
There are still millions of players on PlayStation 4, and developers are reluctant to abandon that audience in favor of a more optimized experience. Black Ops 6 is still available on PS4, as well as other shooters like Apex Legends. With more than 117 million units sold in its lifetime, the console still represents a massive market, and studios are not ignoring its money-making potential.
Eventually, though, studios will have to face reality. Supporting the PlayStation 4 will become a severe handicap as time goes on. Live-service players want to compete at their best, and matchmaking with teammates on outdated hardware is not sustainable.
Even games like NEXON’s looter-shooter The First Descendant are ending PS4 support, alongside MiHoYo’s acclaimed gacha title Genshin Impact. These studios recognize the signs that supporting the console is no longer viable in the long run. Others should consider following suit before someone’s PlayStation 4 finally gives out under the strain.
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