The life cycle of PlayStation 4 has been really impressive, as the console has maintained a strong presence for almost 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 PS4's days are coming to an end.
Sony's push to phase out the PS4 for good has been ramping up recently. Earlier this month, Insider Gaming's Tom Henderson reported that Sony plans to end some services for PS4 games in 2026. Despite these efforts to put the PS5 in the spotlight, there are still many gamers who have remained fiercely loyal to the PS4. But as Sony looks to the future, fans of the older generation are running out of options, and November is a stark reminder of this transition, as PS4 players only have one big title to look forward to next month.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is the only major release for PS4 in November
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will be released on November 14.
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The game will be available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
This year has largely been defined by current generation exclusives. Titles like Split Fiction, Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, Borderlands 4and the coming Outer worlds 2 have all finally embraced the current gen offerings and left the world behind the Xbox One and PS4. With Black Ops 7 arriving in November, PS4 players at least have something big to look forward to, but it's also a clear sign of how slim the options are going to be.
Even more interesting, Call of Dutybiggest competitor, Battlefieldhas also made the leap to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S exclusivity with Battlefield 6. This is not one Call of Duty against. Battlefield history, but it's still fascinating evidence of 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 will only become sparser for PS4 users. Black Ops 7 may not be exclusive to Sony, but 2026 has some big console-exclusive titles waiting in the wings, leaving PS4 players with the difficult decision to either miss or embrace the current generation.
As of March 2025, around 30% of PlayStation Network's monthly active users will still play PS4.
Titles like Split Fiction, Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yotei, Borderlands 4and the coming Outer worlds 2 have all finally embraced the current gen offerings and left the world behind the Xbox One and PS4.
PS5 exclusive confirmed for the future
- Saros (March 20, 2026)
- Marvel's Wolverine (Autumn 2026)
- Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet (TBD)
In addition to these exclusive Sony, gaming juggernaut GTA 6 is right around the corner, and it will be one of the biggest launches for the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. Also, unlike the PS4, PS5 players have six major releases to look forward to in November, further proving Sony's shift in focus on the newer console.
PS4's shrinking options mark a bittersweet end to an era
While that's a bummer for many gamers still clinging to the PS4, it's also a necessary step forward. The PS4's 12-year life cycle is certainly an impressive feat, but with the PS5 now five years into its cycle, it's time for attention to shift. Due to the covid-19 pandemic and supply shortages, the PS5 has taken longer to arrive, making loyalty to the PS4 even more meaningful, but now that the PS5 has taken its rightful place in the spotlight, Black Ops 7 will likely be one of the last AAA heavy-hitters to launch for the console.
- Stamp
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Sony
- Original release date
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November 15, 2013
- Original MSRP (USD)
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$399.99, €399.99, £349.99
- Operating system
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Orbis Olympics
- Processor
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Semi-custom 8-core AMD x86-64 Jaguar APU
- Resolution
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480p – 4K UHD
