If it is PlayStation 3 was the console that proved that games can be serious technology, then the PS4 was a return to a simple philosophy: For the Players.
A brutally powerful slogan.
With the PlayStation 4, Sony did what it does best, listened to gamers, removed unnecessary complications and delivered a machine that dominated the market for almost a decade.
The moment it was released in 2013, the PlayStation 4 immediately won the hearts of gamers. He was elegant, strong and focused on the most important thing, the game. While Microsoft stumbled with the Xbox One console and its obsession with television and DRM systems, Sony took the stage and said the line that became legendary: "This is how you share your games on PlayStation 4", after which Shuhei Yoshida simply handed the disc to his colleague. The audience exploded, and Sony had already won the war of the eighth generation of consoles.
For those who don't know, here's a piece of gaming history:
The difference against the predecessor
Compared to the PlayStation 3, the PlayStation 4 was much simpler and more accessible. Sony learned from its mistakes that developers don't like exotic architectures like Cell processors, so the PS4 is based on the x86-64 architecture, which is practically a PC at its core. This meant that game development became easier, optimization faster, and transfers from other platforms much simpler.
Gamers got a faster, quieter (okay, I'm kidding, everyone knows what a vacuum cleaner is than a console) and more energy-efficient machine with graphics that could finally push games to the limit of photorealism. The DualShock 4 controller brought a new sense of ergonomics and comfort, with a touchpad, better triggers and an integrated light bar.
In addition, PS4 was ready for the online era, PlayStation Network became stable! Yes, you could finally play online with friends without any problems and I made the most of it!
PlayStation Plus brought free games every month, and integrated social options made it possible to stream games and share clips with one click. It was a revolution in the way gamers show their experience to the world.
Games that defined a generation
The library of PlayStation 4 games today sounds like a greatest hits list of the modern industry. Bloodborne redefined hardcore action RPGs and created a whole new subculture of fans who are still clamoring for a sequel today. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End closed Nathan Drake's story in spectacular fashion. Horizon Zero Dawn took us to the world of robotic dinosaurs and incredible landscapes, while God of War (2018) delighted us with a more mature, Nordic approach to the famous character Kratos. That was the ultimate peak for me, because there were fan theories that Kratos would go to Scandinavia, and when they realized it, we were all in shock over beer.
Not that it was difficult to shock us after a couple of Greeks, but it was epic.
And then came The Last of Us Part II, which is perhaps the most controversial, but also the most ambitious game of the generation. Additionally, the PlayStation 4 was home to the Spider-Man game that shattered all doubts that superhero games can't be top blockbusters.
Third-party successes should also be mentioned. Series like The Witcher 3, Red Dead Redemption 2 and GTA V shined on PlayStation 4 hardware, while battle royale phenomena like Fortnite and Apex Legends found an audience on that console.
And best of all, Indie games suddenly exploded with the PS4 and were more accessible than ever because they no longer depended on expensive distribution, but you could download them with a few clicks.
Sales results that swept away the competition
The numbers say it all. PlayStation 4 has sold more than 117 million units worldwide, making it one of the most successful consoles of all time and Sony's second best-selling console, just behind the legendary PS2. The Xbox One could never match it, and Nintendo only later found its massive success with the Switch.
Sony managed to make a console that was powerful enough for hardcore gamers, affordable enough for the casual crowd and simple enough for developers. That triangle was a recipe for success, and the results were seen in everything from award-winning exclusives to a player community that grew day by day.
New horizons and preparation for the future
The PlayStation 4 was also the console that opened the door to the future. With the PlayStation VR, Sony entered the world of virtual reality and while it didn't become a mainstream hit, it was proof that Sony was experimenting and looking ahead. Streaming games through PlayStation Now was an early step towards cloud gaming, while options such as “Remote Play” enabled gaming on remote devices, even mobile phones.
Although many of these ideas were in their infancy, it was clear that Sony was preparing the ground for the future of gaming. PS4 wasn't just a console – it was a platform that connected games, movies, music, VR and social media into one experience.
The fun side of PlayStation 4
We must not forget about the meme culture that followed the PlayStation 4. From the legendary "share button" that generated millions of YouTube clips and Twitch streams, to the eternal debate about who has the better lineup of exclusives, Sony or Microsoft. Although I also have an Xbox, Playstation will always be king for me.
For many, the PlayStation 4 was the console they grew up on. It was the machine on which generations of young people played online for the first time with friends from other cities or even countries. It was the machine on which parents discovered gaming through titles like LittleBigPlanet, Just Dance or Minecraft. And it was a machine where everyone could find a game for themselves, from the simplest indie platformers to epic adventures lasting hundreds of hours.
Whatever it was, it's a console that refuses to die, and we might be the first to see a console live that long with a new generation. A total miracle of a console that still looks great graphically today!
The PlayStation 4 is perhaps the best proof of how much Sony understands the market. After a rocky start with the PlayStation 3, the PlayStation 4 was a return to its roots, a console designed to put the player first. And she succeeded in that, winning millions of hearts and pockets around the world.
For me, the PlayStation 4 remains a symbol of a golden era of gaming. An era where games became serious, cinematic, emotional and incredibly detailed. An era where we could watch Kratos become a dad (I always find this kind of hilarious), Ellie roam the post-apocalyptic world, and Spider-Man rock New York in a way we could only dream of as kids on the PlayStation 2.
It is the only console that I bought twice, because I lost one in the disassembly, but I managed to find the second one used for only HRK 500 and to this day, after 10 years of operation, it works like new. Heavy cannon!
PlayStation 4, thank you for all the memories you instilled in me, I miss you <3
