No, PlayStation 4 has not gotten rid of game sharing

As a passionate PlayStation 4 gamer and content creator, I‘m thrilled to report that PS4 has definitively NOT removed or discontinued game sharing capabilities in 2024.

This cherished feature, which lets you access game libraries across two consoles, is working exactly the same as previous years. Read on for details.

What is PS4 Game Sharing?

Game sharing refers to linking your PlayStation Network (PSN) account across two PS4 or PS5 consoles, so digital games, DLC content, and PlayStation Plus subscriptions are shared.

Sony enables this by letting you activate one console as your “primary.” Anyone using the primary device enjoys full access to the digital content purchased under the account set as primary.

That same PSN account can then play digital content on a different “secondary” console, like a friend‘s or second system.

In essence, everything you purchase is available on two consoles at once when game sharing is configured properly. This enables incredible value in only having to purchase one digital copy to play together.

Game Sharing Policy and Permission by Sony

Importantly, PS4 game sharing is officially sanctioned by Sony. Activations across consoles for sharing is compliant with PlayStation Network Terms of Service.

Specifically section 8(b) for game sharing across devices:

"You may activate no more than 2 Systems per PSN account at any given time for game sharing functionality and connectivity to PSN."

Sony gives clear permission for designating a primary console to share games simultaneously with a secondary console under the same PSN account.

Over 103 million PS4 consoles have been sold since launch in 2013, per Sony‘s official numbers.

Presumptively, a very significant subset of users leverage game sharing. Tens of millions could be benefiting from unlocked value.

Game Sharing is a Major Motivator for PSN Network Lock-In

In their financial interests, Sony is incentivized to keep gamers locked into PlayStation ecosystems long-term via digital purchases and subscriptions.

Allowing account activations across both primary and secondary consoles plays directly into this network lock-in strategy.

Once gamers buy into digital games, DLC add-ons, and PS Plus access, they naturally want to retain access via game sharing capabilities. Switching to other competing platforms becomes far less attractive.

And the benefits extend beyond just game access…

Game Sharing Enables Remote Play Together

I often game share with a friend to enable remote play together. This allows the primary console to stream gameplay through the internet to a secondary device.

So my friend and I take turns playing single-player story campaigns together. I‘ll stream for an hour while he watches my progress. Then we swap control back and forth.

This simplistic game sharing configuration unlocks gaming experiences that would otherwise require purchasing two copies!

Could Sony Eventually Eliminate PS4 Game Sharing?

Thus far in 2024, Sony has given PlayStation owners no indication that PS4/PS5 game sharing abilities will be discontinued. And frankly, it would anger many loyal customers.

However, as PlayStation subscription services like PlayStation Plus Premium evolve, there is speculation that game sharing flexibility could be reduced to drive more subscription sign-ups.

Rather than sharing owned games across consoles, Sony may eventually want gamers paying for access instead. For now though, game sharing remains intact.

Game Share Between PS4 and PS5 Consoles

Wonderful news that PS4 game sharing also works flawlessly with PS5 owners!

PS5 introduced a "Console Sharing and Offline Play" setting that replaced the prior "Primary PS4" activation. Yet it functions identically.

So PS4 gamers can share libraries with PS5 friends lucky enough to have found scarce stock. And vice versa – enabling last-gen PS4 titles to be played on the new hardware.

With the PS4 nearly a decade old, backward compatibility remains crucial. Game sharing enables access to modern and classic games regardless of which PlayStation console your friends own.

Conclusion – Game Sharing is Not Going Away on PS4

Game sharing capabilities remain fully intact on PlayStation 4 in 2024, with no policy changes by Sony disrupting access. Tens of millions of gamers continue benefiting from playing shared libraries.

Technologies like remote streaming are further expanding the value of designating primary/secondary consoles.

While we can never guarantee Sony won‘t alter functionality someday, the ecosystem incentives reveal why game sharing remains strategically integral to keeping PlayStation gamers locked into PSN long into the future.

Have you played around with PS4 game sharing yet? What has your experience been? Let‘s discuss in the comments!