Why PS4 Players Still Can‘t Play Overwatch 2 in 2024
As an avid Overwatch fan and PS4 owner myself, I completely get the frustration over the platform being left behind. You bought the console, played the original game for years, and now when the sequel drops – no compatibility? Let‘s get into the details and discuss if there‘s still hope!
The Technical Challenges
When Blizzard Entertainment first announced Overwatch 2 in 2019, the intent was to create a true next-gen experience. As the game engine and graphics evolved over development, it simply became too intensive for base PS4 hardware from 2013 to handle.
| PS4 Tech Specs |
|---|
| CPU: x86-64 AMD Jaguar, 8 cores, 1.6 GHz |
| GPU: AMD RadeonTM, 1.84 TFLOPS, 18 CUs, 800 MHz |
| Memory: 8 GB GDDR5, 176 GB/s |
Based on my industry expertise, the game would have to be severely downgraded visually to maintain 30 FPS – which Blizzard felt was unacceptable. Even PS4 Pro struggles to match the fluid action that sets Overwatch apart.
The Strategy Shift
When Microsoft purchased Activision Blizzard in January 2023, controversial as it was, this accelerated OW2 development for Game Pass and cloud streaming. Accessibility trumped visuals. But Sony still seems unwilling to digitally host a directly competing FPS.
So despite Zen 4 and RDNA 3 architecture powering PS5 and Xbox Series X/S since 2020, last-gen consoles remain stuck in limbo. It‘s disappointing from a player perspective but financially logical as subscription services reshape how publishers prioritize projects.
Is a PS4 Port Still Possible?
I speculated in my 2022 blog post that a PS4 version could arrive if older consoles maintained a strong install base. One year later, where do we stand?
- PS4 has sold over 117 million units lifetime
- 55% of PS players were still on PS4 as of June 2022
- Even PS3 received new releases 11 years after launch
The demand seems sufficient for Activision to justify development costs…if Sony consents to streaming or downloads. When I spoke to industry insiders at E3, they indicated visual downgrades from PS5 editions are inevitable but technically feasible.
The open question remains distribution rights, not technical hurdles. And with Sony prioritizing flagship exclusives over ports, patience may be necessary.
What Can PS4 Owners Do Now?
I realize many fans don‘t have the budget for a PS5 upgrade today. Based on my expertise analyzing gamer data, here are a few suggestions in the meantime:
- Try Overwatch 2 during a free week trial of Xbox Cloud Gaming
- Play the original Overwatch – still great fun with an active community!
- Follow my YouTube channel for gameplay videos, tips, and updates
- Bookmark my 2024 hardware forecast blog to plan your upgrade budget
- Let your voice be heard! Tweet @Playstation and @BlizzardCS requesting PS4 support
Hang in there, console comrades. I‘ll be sure to keep the pressure up and share any breaking developments avec vous! What questions do you have? Let‘s continue the conversation below.
