The PlayStation 4 is a home video game console produced by Sony Interactive Entertainment, the forth major home console in the PlayStation brand. It is the successor of the PlayStation 3 (2006 - 2013) and part of the eighth console generation. It was first released in November 2013.
Unlike its predecessors which were designed and planned by original PlayStation creator Ken Kutaragi, the PlayStation 4 was designed by Mark Cerny. The console moves away from the Cell architecture of its direct predecessor, which was considered too complex; instead, the PS4 uses a more conventional x86-64 architecture to allow easier and quicker game development. Among the console features are emphasis on social interaction and integration with other devices and services, including the ability to play games off-console on supported devices, and the ability to stream gameplay online. The PS4 also uses an overhauled DualShock controller called the DualShock 4.
The PlayStation 4 received critical acclaim, with gaming publications praising its more accessible design, adherence to consumer demands, price point and technical capabilities, though it also saw some criticism in its conservative and safe aspects. The PlayStation 4 was also highly praised for its list of acclaimed exclusive video games, including Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, God of War, Bloodborne, Horizon Zero Dawn, Spider-Man, The Last of Us Part II and Ghost of Tsushima. The PlayStation 4 enjoyed strong sales, quickly overshadowing its predecessors and eventually shipping over 116 million units as of 2021.