As a part of a wide-ranging keynote presentation at Ultimate Fantasy XIV Fan Fest, Director and Producer Naoki Yoshida introduced that the PlayStation 4 model of FFXIV will probably be phased out within the coming years.
Yoshida emphasised that the following enlargement, Evercold (which is due January 2027 together with Patch 8.0), will probably be absolutely supported on PS4. It can proceed with a number of the post-launch content material updates as nicely, with him stating, “We presently imagine we’ll in all probability be okay up till about [Patch] 8.3,” which might hit someday in early 2028.
Yoshida famous that, “Whereas cooperation with Sony’s fantastic engineers has allowed us to restrict break a couple of extra instances than we thought even doable, however it’ll quickly be unattainable to bodily comprise all of FFXIV on the PS4 exhausting drive.”
Contemplating how expansive the sport has change into, together with the visible overhaul that got here with the Dawntrail enlargement and Patch 7.0 in 2024, the virtually 13-year-old PS4 has been struggling to sustain. There are not any modifications coming to the system necessities on PC within the close to future, however for these nonetheless on PS4, Yoshida mentioned, “You bought two years to save up for a PlayStation 5!”
In a roundtable interview at FFXIV Fan Fest, Yoshida additional defined his feedback in regards to the sunsetting of the PS4 model.
“Maybe it was the way in which I defined it that will have induced somewhat little bit of [confusion]. Whereas we’re going to absolutely help [Evercold and Patch] 8.0, we did ask for maybe contemplating transitioning [to PS5],” Yoshida mentioned. “Some individuals had been mentioning on socials about how we’re going to shut down the PS4 service and that is why [we’re] going to go over to the Change 2. However that isn’t the case.”
He continued explaining the crew’s plans, saying that “the rationale we’re wanting to transition from PS4 to PS5, or encouraging gamers to achieve this, is due to the {hardware} limitations of the PS4. It is the dimensions of the sport that’s the hurdle proper now. We’re reaching in direction of the restrict of the {hardware}, contemplating how giant of the capability and necessities this recreation has. We’re reaching the purpose the place the sport is getting so large that the {hardware} itself will be unable to deal with it.”
Whereas it’s estimated to at the very least final by Patch 8.3, which is a methods out, Yoshida mentioned, “Not instantly, however we wish individuals to slowly take into account transitioning to the PS5. Once more we’re not saying that we’re going to stop help for the PS4 – that is one other level that we wish to emphasize.”
It is perhaps harder than earlier years contemplating that the PS5 has solely gone up in worth since its launch nearly six years in the past, and the price of PC elements have not fared any higher. Nevertheless, possibly it is time we put the aged PS4 to relaxation, in due time at the very least.
For extra on the critically acclaimed MMORPG, try my breakdown of the upcoming Change 2 model of FFXIV, the Neon Genesis Evangelion crossover raid content material, and all the things you want to learn about Evercold.
Michael Higham is an editor at IGN who recurrently contributes with critiques, previews, options, and information in written and video type. He is normally entrusted with overlaying lengthy RPGs and tech merchandise, however he is bought vary when it comes to video games. You may additionally catch him at occasions and internet hosting video content material, together with IGN’s weekly podcast Unlocked.