More live service games will abandon the PS4 for the PS5 following Genshin Impact, according to report

Debuting in 2013, the PS4 has received exceptional support, continuing well into the PS5 era. Recognizing its loyal following, many publishers still release PS4 games. Recently, more companies have finally begun to embrace the latest PlayStation console. Live service games that are regularly updated, like Genshin Impact, are the most likely victims. According to a Games Industry report, it may be the first of many titles to make the transition.

Rob Fahey’s article addresses the criticism aimed at PlayStation, including its perceived lack of first-party exclusives. It also considers how well the brand has positioned itself for future success. Part of the debate involves the role of live service games, which have become a greater emphasis for Sony and other publishers. When mentioning Genshin Impact, Fahey reveals “many other operators of major online and live service titles also eyeing up the timeline for dropping PS4 support”.

Although many gamers have upgraded to the PS5, dropping compatibility for its predecessor comes with risks. It wasn’t until June 2025 that Sony announced that the PS5 user base had eclipsed the number of PS4 players. As Fahey points out, in some countries, PlayStation consoles are more expensive than when they launched in 2020. Gamers have less motivation to upgrade, at least until fewer PS4 games are released.

In the case of HoYoverse’s Genshin Impact, the cross-platform game is also available on PC and mobile devices. That gives fans of the open-world RPG options, especially with progress carrying over to different systems. As far as the PS4, the developers explain that the console’s performance and specifications have become too limiting. Loading and installation times are a concern, with the PS5’s SSD making updates more seamless.

A flurry of other live service games have already moved on from the aging PlayStation console. Battlefield 6 is one notable example, but Sony Interactive Entertainment's MLB The Show is also now current-gen only. If the PS4 era is coming to an end, it’s not before it notched some impressive sales records.