A more popular, larger game will soon surpass the PlayStation 4, which was released in 2013, marking a gradual generational shift.

As previously reported, MiHoYo’s Genshin Impact will end support for the PlayStation 4, and the PC version will see increased system requirements. In other words, the gacha title will soon be playable only on the PlayStation 5. This decision sends a clear message: if a game of this magnitude is ready to drop one of the best-selling consoles of all time, then current-gen hardware—or at least the PlayStation 5’s user base—has become large enough to warrant full focus. This change could give cross-gen projects a notable boost in visuals—resolution, frame rate, and effects—since there will be no need to scale the experience down for the PS4.

With 80.3 million PS5 units shipped as of June 30, it’s no surprise that live service developers are finally ready to move on from the last console generation. However, this long-awaited momentum may be short-lived. Persistent rumors suggest that both Sony and Microsoft are preparing their next-gen systems, likely to launch in just over two years—around 2027, which aligns with the industry’s typical seven-year hardware cycle.

Reports indicate that the PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox will bring significant shifts for both companies. Sony is said to be aiming for a 4K/120 FPS console at an affordable price point, while Microsoft intends to leverage the Magnus APU’s flexibility to offer a broader range of systems. These may not compete directly with traditional consoles but instead overlap with gaming-capable PCs.

Amid these developments, the future of gaming could look very different, with even the idea of fixed console generations and transitional cross-gen phases potentially becoming a relic of the past.

Source: WCCFTech