Is your PlayStation 4 gathering dust? Think again. A recent leak from a prominent Call of Duty insider, CharlieIntel, suggests that the 2025 installment of the mega-franchise could still be released on both PS4 and Xbox One. Yes, you read that right – consoles that launched way back in 2013, when Barack Obama was still in the White House, “Gangnam Style” was topping the charts, and the word “selfie” was just entering the Oxford English Dictionary. It’s a decision that, on the surface, seems almost baffling. Why continue to support hardware that’s over a decade old when the shiny new PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S are readily available? But dig a little deeper, and this potential move starts to make a lot more sense – and it highlights a fascinating trend in the gaming industry.

To put 2013 into perspective, consider this:

• Globally: the world was still recovering from the 2008 financial crisis.
• Politics: Barack Obama began his second term as President of the United States. Nelson Mandela passed away, marking the end of an era.
• Music: “Blurred Lines,” “Thrift Shop” And gangnam style, were dominating.
• Technology: The iPhone 5s was the hot new smartphone, and 4K TVs were just starting to become affordable. Instagram was only three years old!
• Gaming: The ps4 and Xbox one were announced, to major excitement. Games included Bioshock infinite, GTA V and the Last of us.
• Film: Blockbusters that came out that year include, Iron man 3, The hunger games catching fire, Man of Steel.

The fact that a console launched in that era, still being used today by some users is potentially getting new AAA releases in 2025 is remarkable. But before we write off Sony and Activision (the Call of Duty publisher) as completely out of touch, let’s examine the potential reasoning behind this seemingly “wild decision.”

The Case for Continued Last-Gen Support

There are several compelling arguments for continuing to develop games for the PS4 and Xbox One:

1. Massive Install Base: The PS4 has sold well over 117 million units worldwide, and the Xbox One has sold an estimated 58 million. That’s a huge potential audience – one that’s far larger than the combined install base of the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. By releasing Call of Duty 2025 on last-gen consoles, Activision maximizes its potential sales, reaching millions of players who haven’t yet upgraded (or simply can’t afford to). It helps gamers without upgrading, but developers who wish to truly focus on more complex next gen gameplay are then held back by older systems.
2. Development Costs: Developing games for last-gen hardware is generally cheaper and less complex than developing for next-gen consoles. The PS4 and Xbox One are well-understood platforms, with established development tools and pipelines. This allows developers to create games more efficiently and cost-effectively, which can be particularly appealing for a franchise like Call of Duty that has a yearly release cycle. The cost saving factor in older consoles helps with profit for the games.
3. Supply Chain Issues: While the situation has improved, the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S have faced significant supply chain challenges since their launch in 2020. Chip shortages and other disruptions have made it difficult for many consumers to get their hands on the new consoles. Continuing to support last-gen consoles provides a way for gamers to still experience the new title without relying on hardware availability. Although it would take away incentive to move onto next gen systems for the companies involved.
4. The Warzone Factor: The leak specifically mentions Warzone, Call of Duty‘s hugely popular free-to-play battle royale mode. Warzone is designed to be a cross-platform experience, connecting players across different consoles and PC. Continuing to support Warzone on last-gen consoles ensures that the largest possible player base can participate, maintaining the game’s massive popularity and in-game revenue. Keeping it accesible and not locking gamers to only using next gen titles, is a business savvy way to generate sales.
5. Gradual Transition: The transition between console generations is rarely a clean break. It takes time for players to adopt new hardware, and developers often release “cross-gen” titles that are available on both old and new consoles. This allows them to maximize their reach while gradually shifting their focus to the next-gen platforms. This period has proven especially slow with this console transition.

Sony’s Long-Term Support History

Sony, in particular, has a history of supporting its consoles for a remarkably long time. The PlayStation 2, launched in 2000, continued to receive new games until 2013 – an astonishing 13-year lifespan! Pro Evolution Soccer 2014 was the final PS2 title, marking an extraordinary end to a legendary console’s journey. The PlayStation 3, launched in 2006, had a similarly impressive run, with its last physical game release in 2017, a lifespan of over 11 years (the final FIFA title for the platform appeared a full four years after the launch of the PS4).
It isn’t the first, and likley will not be the last for support longevity in Sony consoles.

This long-term support strategy contrasts sharply with the typical console lifecycle of 5-7 years. Sony’s approach has several benefits:

• Customer Loyalty: It builds goodwill with customers, demonstrating a commitment to supporting their purchases for an extended period.
• Market Penetration: It allows Sony to reach a wider audience, particularly in regions where older consoles remain popular due to affordability.
• Software Sales: It continues to generate software revenue long after the hardware has peaked, maximizing the return on investment for both Sony and game developers.
• Retro popularity. Years down the line, gamers are still discovering and going back to play classic playstation titles, further bolstering sales figures and console popularity.

The PS5 Dilemma: Is “Next-Gen” Really Here?

The continued support for last-gen consoles, while beneficial to many gamers, does raise questions about the state of the current “next-gen” consoles, particularly the PS5. If developers are still creating games for the PS4, are we truly experiencing the full potential of the PS5? Some might argue that cross-gen development holds back the PS5, preventing developers from fully utilizing its advanced hardware capabilities. True “next-gen” experiences, they argue, require a clean break from the limitations of older hardware.

However, others might counter that the PS5 is still in its relatively early stages, and that we’re only beginning to see what it’s truly capable of. Games like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and Returnal have showcased the PS5’s impressive SSD and its ability to create seamless, loading-free worlds. The haptic feedback and adaptive triggers of the DualSense controller offer a new level of immersion. And as developers become more familiar with the PS5’s hardware, we can expect to see even more impressive and innovative games in the future.
The lack of consoles on the market due to covid helped delay new gamers.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to continue supporting last-gen consoles is a complex one, with both pros and cons. It’s a balancing act between maximizing reach and revenue and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with new hardware. Whether Call of Duty 2025 ends up being a cross-gen title or not, the ongoing debate highlights the evolving nature of the console gaming landscape and the enduring appeal of older hardware. One things for sure, developers, the console companies and gamers will benefit from keeping popular titles and consoles relevant. It is also exciting for developers to design and explore just what the PS5 console will be capable of! The future, and current, market and gameplay available looks to keep exciting and growing for avid gamers.

Do you know what the best selling PS2 game is?