Sony’s PlayStation Network (PSN), its online gaming service, suffered an outage on Thursday, fueling player fears that the company may end support for the PlayStation4 gaming console.

Sony introduced the PS5, its latest version of the PlayStation console, in late 2020, with the device it becomes an instant hit, as stores struggled with inventory shortages amid strong consumer demand. But many gamers still use the PS4, an earlier version of the console that first hit the market in 2013.

There were more than 1,000 reports of problems connecting to PSN as of Thursday afternoon, by far the most frequently reported problem, according to data from service status website DownDetector. The server outage also led to gamers having trouble logging into their accounts and playing games, prompting some to speculate that Sony had finally shut down the PS4.

“Are you really shutting down the PS4 servers,” one user wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, to PlayStation’s support account. “I’ve been saving up for a PS5, but I’ll be switching to an Xbox.”

PSN’s website currently shows that all services are up and running, and the source of the PlayStation Network server problem this afternoon remains unclear. Sony did not immediately respond to CBS MoneyWatch’s request for comment.

Is Sony Shutting Down PS4 Servers?

Sony has not made any official announcement about ending support for PS4 servers. In fact, the company said late last year that it might continue making games for the PS4, although it plans to move forward with PS5-exclusive games, Axios reported in October.

Sony has also shown continued support for even older consoles, such as the PS3, which debuted in 2006. While Sony previously announced in 2021 that it was shutting down its PS3 digital store, the company reversed its decision after fan backlash. Both the PS3 servers and the store will remain operational in 2023.

What is a server anyway?

Servers can be either computer programs or hardware that accept and respond to requests from other computers made over a network, according to the technical support website ComputerHope.

In the context of gaming, a server is a hosting setup that allows console users to run and participate in online multiplayer computer games.

Why do companies shut down servers?

Companies can turn off servers for games running on older generation consoles to reduce operating costs. Such shutdowns usually occur when user activity decreases after a new device hits the market. Because servers are expensive to maintain and operate, eliminating them can save a company money.

For now, PS4 still has a strong user base of approximately 92 million, according to data from headphonesaddict.com.