Techland's Dying Light spin-off will skip PlayStation 4 entirely. The developer confirmed the PS4 port won't happen due to hardware limitations on Sony's last-generation console.
"The old hardware simply doesn't have the processing power and memory needed," Techland stated when addressing the cancellation. The game targets current-gen systems and PC, leaving PS4 players without access to the title.
This marks a growing trend in the industry. Developers increasingly abandon last-gen console support as games become more demanding. The PS4 launched in 2013, making it over a decade old by current standards. Its 8GB of RAM and aging CPU struggle with modern game engines, particularly when studios prioritize visual fidelity and performance on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
The Dying Light franchise proved successful on PlayStation platforms. The original game and its sequel built substantial player bases on both PS4 and PS5. Removing PS4 support for this spin-off suggests Techland views the PS4 install base as less important than pushing the experience forward on newer hardware.
Publishers face an ongoing dilemma. Supporting last-gen consoles requires significant optimization work and restrains design ambitions. Dropping support frees resources and allows developers to fully exploit current-gen capabilities. However, it alienates players still using PS4, a console that sold over 117 million units worldwide.
PlayStation has seen fewer PS4 exclusives in recent years as studios pivot to PS5. Games like Dragon Age: The Veilguard and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth now launch exclusively on current-gen hardware. This shift reflects the console cycle's natural progression, but it leaves a massive installed base behind.
Techland hasn't detailed which Dying Light spin-off faces this cancellation or provided specifics on its PS5 and PC release window. The