PlayStation 4
News, coverage and analysis tracking PlayStation 4 across the outlets.
Latest coverage
PS6, Project Helix at $1,000 Will Sell 38 Percent Less Than Current-Gen Consoles – Analysts
Analysts at Ampere Analysis predict that a $1,000 launch price for the PlayStation 6 and Project Helix could lead to a 38% decrease in adoption compared to the current generation. The report suggests strategies like delaying releases, using heavy subsidies, or focusing on innovative hardware over raw power, similar to Nintendo's Wii strategy. Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki acknowledged the challenges posed by component shortages and trade wars, stating the company is still undecided on a PS6 launch date.
Games Inbox: Is buying second-hand video games going to end?
Readers discuss the potential end of second-hand physical game sales due to the increasing prevalence of digital distribution. Concerns are raised about the loss of ownership and the impact on retailers like CeX. The convenience of digital is acknowledged as a major factor driving this shift, with some lamenting the decline of physical media.
PlayStation Ending Discs is Like Apple Shipping PCs Without Disc Drives in 2008, Says Analyst
Analyst Daniel Ahmad compares Sony's decision to end PlayStation disc production to Apple's removal of disc drives from PCs in 2008, suggesting the move is a future-facing inevitability driven by the dominance of digital sales. He notes that digital sales now account for around 80% on PlayStation and over 90% on Xbox, with physical media representing only about 5% of Sony's software revenue. Ahmad believes this shift allows Sony to increase margins, strengthen its ecosystem by preventing game resales, and focus on higher-spending core gamers.
'Your code is physically yours, forever. Until you lose it, let's be real': Github, wagging its finger at Sony's own goal, is offering CD-ROMs of your code for a few days
Microsoft-owned GitHub is offering users a CD-ROM of their public code repositories for a limited time, a move seen as a jab at Sony's perceived shift towards digital-only game distribution. This limited-time promotion, available from July 2-6, 2026, allows the first 1,000 eligible users to receive a physical copy of their code. The article also touches on Microsoft's own efforts in digital preservation and potential layoffs within its gaming division.
Xbox is Punishing its Studios For Following Previous Orders – Report
A report indicates that Xbox is punishing its studios for following previous directives, leading to significant layoffs and studio closures. This follows major investments like the Activision Blizzard acquisition and the push for Game Pass, with some studios being criticized for prioritizing the subscription service over individual game sales. The situation has created an environment of fear and uncertainty, impacting game development.
Sony Ships 93.7 Million PS5 Consoles, But Recent Sales Down by Almost 50%
Sony reported that total PlayStation 5 console shipments have reached 93.7 million units, with 1.5 million sold in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025. This represents a nearly 50% decrease compared to the same period last year, with the full fiscal year seeing 16 million shipments, down from 18.5 million in fiscal year 2024. The company plans to base future hardware sales on memory procurement and expects hardware profitability to remain similar to fiscal year 2025.
GameStop Is Trying To Capitalize On PS5's Reported New Online Requirement
GameStop is capitalizing on reports that Sony may implement a 30-day online requirement for digital game licenses on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. The retailer is offering discounts on preowned physical games, promoting ownership and offline play as an alternative to Sony's potential new policy. Sony has not officially commented on the reported requirement.
Last Chance to Buy These 45+ PS5, PS4 Games in PS Store's Big Games Big Deals Sale
The PlayStation Store's Big Games Big Deals sale is offering significant discounts on over 45 PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 titles, with prices as low as they've ever been. The sale includes critically acclaimed games such as Alan Wake 2, Bloodborne, and Detroit: Become Human, among many others. Shoppers have until May 6, 2026, to take advantage of these limited-time offers.
Sony takes its cancelling spree to another level by canning its PlayStation Remote Play-enabled car, Afeela 1
Sony and Honda have decided to discontinue the development and launch of their first electric vehicle model, the Afeela 1, and its second model. This decision stems from Honda's reassessment of its electrification strategy and changes in the EV market, which fundamentally altered the assumptions for the joint venture's business operations. Despite the cancellation of the Afeela 1, Sony and Honda will continue to discuss future business plans for their joint venture.
Mark’s Guide for Best Affordable Gaming Microphones
This guide explores affordable gaming microphones, focusing on key components like microphone type, pickup pattern, and connectivity. It highlights top picks such as the Logitech Blue Yeti, HyperX QuadCast 2, and Razer Seiren Mini, detailing their features and suitability for gamers, streamers, and content creators, with a maximum budget of $120.
