It truly is the end of an era. Starting in January 2026, Sony will shift its focus primarily to PlayStation 5 PS+ subscribers and discontinue free games for PlayStation 4 through its PlayStation Plus Monthly Games and the Game Catalog.
The announcement came from yesterday’s PlayStation Monthly Blog post, where Sony revealed next month’s free PlayStation Plus Essential titles.
However, this isn’t entirely bad news. Players who previously claimed free titles can keep them as long as they maintain an active PlayStation Plus subscription. Additionally, Sony has assured PlayStation 5 players that, even after dropping PlayStation 4 support, it will continue offering games compatible with both consoles.
This change only affects games exclusive to PlayStation 4. While it’s disappointing for those who still own a PS4, PlayStation 5’s backwards compatibility offers an advantage. For example, titles like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla remain playable on both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, and Sony will continue adding cross-gen titles like Valhalla in the future.
This marks another step toward retiring the 12-year-old PS4, a console that still holds up but struggles to keep pace with modern gaming demands.
The news coincides with Sony’s latest shift regarding PlayStation Network (PSN) requirements. After a year of backlash, Sony has made PSN sign-ins optional.
However, those who create a PSN account can unlock in-game rewards, such as the Spider-Man 2099 Black Suit and the Miles Morales 2099 Suit in the newly released Spider-Man 2 PC port.
Unfortunately, players in regions without PSN support remain unable to access these rewards — or play HELLDIVERS 2.
For now, PlayStation 4 owners can still enjoy free monthly games. Next month’s PlayStation Plus Essential lineup includes the Rick & Morty-style sci-fi adventure High On Life and a remake of the classic platformer Pac-Man World. Meanwhile, the divisive co-op FPS Payday 3 will be playable exclusively for PlayStation 5.