PlayStation 4

The PlayStation 4 (PS4) is a home video game console developed by Sony Computer Entertainment. Announced in February 2013, it was launched in November 2013 as the successor to the PlayStation 3 and the fourth console in the PlayStation series. As part of the eighth generation of video game consoles, it competed with Microsoft's Xbox One and Nintendo's Wii U and Switch.

The PS4 emphasizes social interaction and integration with other devices and services. Its system architecture is significantly different from its predecessor, utilizing an Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) developed by AMD, combining a central processing unit (CPU) and a graphics processing unit (GPU) on a single chip. This architecture allows for improved graphical capabilities and easier game development.

Key features of the PlayStation 4 include PlayStation Network integration for online multiplayer gaming, digital content distribution through the PlayStation Store, remote play functionality with PlayStation Vita and other devices, and streaming capabilities via services like Twitch and YouTube. The console also supports Blu-ray disc playback and features a redesigned DualShock 4 controller with a touchpad, light bar, and share button for capturing and sharing gameplay footage and screenshots.

Throughout its lifecycle, Sony released several revisions of the PS4, including the slimmer "PS4 Slim" and the more powerful "PS4 Pro," which offered enhanced graphical performance and 4K resolution support for compatible games. The PlayStation 4 was succeeded by the PlayStation 5 in November 2020, but Sony continued to support and sell the PS4 for several years afterward.