Who doesn’t love a good day one patch, eh? Well it seems that Sony are joining Microsoft in that regard, and having a patch released alongside the PlayStation 4, so that you can thoroughly enjoy watching a download progress bar as soon as you load up your console. Huzzah!
So meet the system software update version 1.50 for PS4, which brings with it a bunch of the features which have long been touted as part of the PlayStation 4. Taking to the PS Blog, Fred Dutton explained that these include:
Remote Play
Users will be able to access PS4 titles displayed on their living room TVs and play them on a PS Vita system over Wi-Fi networks by using PS4 Link (Depending on network environment or titles, remote play performance may vary outside of the home). We anticipate that most PS4 titles will be playable on the PS Vita system through Remote Play. The latest PS Vita system software version, to be released soon, will be required to use PS4 Link.Second Screen
Users can use the PS4 Link application for the PS Vita system, and PlayStation App for iPhone, iPad, and Android-based smartphones and tablets, to use these devices as second screens in supported titles. PlayStation App has the ability to enable users to interact with games with their mobiles devices. For example on The Playroom, a title pre-installed in all PS4 systems that requires PlayStation Camera, users can draw pictures on their mobile device screens and flick them towards the TV. The images then appear as a 3D object within the game.Record, take screenshots, and upload gameplay effortlessly
The PS4 system provides dedicated, “always on” video encoding systems that enables seamless uploading of gameplay. Users can share their epic triumphs by simply hitting the Share button on DualShock 4, take screenshots or scan through the last 15 minutes of gameplay, tag it and return to the game – the video uploads as the user plays. At the PS4 system’s launch, users will be able to share their images and videos with friends on Facebook and screenshots with followers on Twitter, though users will need to sign up for individual accounts to use Facebook and Twitter.Broadcast and spectate gameplay
The PS4 system also enhances social spectating by enabling users to broadcast their gameplay in real-time to game fans around the globe, using Ustream and Twitch live internet streaming services (users will need to sign up for individual accounts to use Ustream and Twitch). There are two ways for users to view live broadcasts. First, the Live from PlayStation application on PS4 aggregates streams from all PlayStation users. Second, users can spectate friends’ PS4 gameplay from PCs, and applications such as Ustream, Twitch, and browsers, which are installed on their mobile devices. These applications can be easily started up via PlayStation App, and users can also use these applications to post comments to gameplay broadcasts. Furthermore, users with PlayStation Camera can stream camera images and microphone sounds along with their live gameplay broadcast.Play as you download
This feature enables users to play supported digital titles as they are being downloaded. The time it takes to begin playing will vary depending on game data size and network environments, and not all titles will support this feature When a game is purchased, users can start playing after PS4 downloads a portion of the data, while the rest of the game is downloaded in the background during actual gameplay. Games may be downloaded in stand-by mode.Multi log-in
A maximum of four users can log-in to a single PS4 system simultaneously. These players can use their own save data to play games, and also earn trophies on their own Sony Entertainment Network accounts even when playing a multiplayer game together on a single PS4 system.Party (Voice chat)
By using the Mono Headset bundled with the PS4 system, users will be able to chat with up to eight friends enjoying different applications or games. Furthermore, users can use Party to chat between PS4 and PS Vita systems.Face recognition and voice commands
Users with PlayStation Camera will be able to register their facial image onto their PS4 system, and login to their system using facial recognition instead of DualShock 4. Furthermore, users can use either the microphone of the Mono Head set connected to DualShock 4, or PlayStation Camera to navigate through the PS4 home screen (PlayStation Dynamic Menu) with voice commands to start up games and shutdown the system, among other features; please refer to PS4′s online manual for recognizable voice commands.Background music player
Users can enjoy gameplay while listening to music in the background with Music Unlimited, a cloud-based digital music service. Users can also voice chat with friends while listening to music. Learn more about Music Unlimited here (LINK: http://www.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com/music-unlimited/why-music-unlimited/).Online Multiplayer
PlayStation Plus members will be able to play PS4 titles online with other players via the network. PS Plus makes it easy for members to join available online multiplayer matches in a variety of ways, including the ability to easily join a game from a live stream broadcast or Party voice chats.Blu-ray Disc and DVD player
Users can enjoy not only gaming on their PS4 system, but also Blu-ray and DVD video contents. When using for the first time, users must connect to the internet to activate this feature.
Now to me, a lot of this seems like a patch which flips the switch on for the features to start working. Notably, the wording of the “Play as you download” feature sounds like this won’t be universal, while Blu-ray and DVD playback requires activation via an internet connection.
It was also noted that some features won’t make it for launch, including “suspend/resume mode”, which would let you easily jump back into a game where you left off via a low power mode.
Source: PlayStation Blog.
DividSmythe
Will it have the option to stop cross game chat?
Stefan L
I don’t follow. You’ll be able to leave a party chat, yes…
jimmy-google
Wasn’t aware of the multi log in until this
JigsawPieces
Yeah! This is the feature I was most pleased to see – a welcome surprise.
Having spent years wishing the PS3 did this, especially for Rock Band 3 …
Kennykazey
-_- sigh…
TSBonyman
Some good info there, i presume the Play as you download feature is specifically for games and that the console can download firmware etc in the background as is – otherwise we’ll have to wait while the day one patch is downloaded.
Also i’m a bit disappointed that the Play/Resume feature will be missing day one.
The browser isn’t mentioned either and that’s a feature i’m quite looking forward to after the ghastly PS3 browser.
All in all though my excitement is building!
Alex C
Browser is in.
TSBonyman
Lovely, i can resume my tv browsing of TSA!:)
dee
Had my eye out for info on the browser too.hope its a lot better than the almost useless ps3 effort.has to mention it soon
CR8ZYH0RSE
So without this patch the ps4 is just a glorified ps3.I would of thought most of this would of already been inbuilt prior to release.As someone said “Huzzah”.
Andrewww
Completely disagree. Sony are working to very tight deadlines here. Keeping these, given the current unprofessional state of IT development in general, where it is the normal case that deadlines, budget and implemented functionalities are all not met, is nothing short of impressive. I think they had to make the two development streams of hardware and software as independent from each other as was possible.
They were late about a year last generation, they caught up and are doing an incredible job right now. Anybody who complains about a day one patch as small as this seems to be is, in my opinion, ignorant. Just for comparison: MS had to delay a lot of markets, postpone a lot of functionality, and about the development budget, we just don’t know.
CR8ZYH0RSE
Ok bud:)
boeboe
Theres no pleasing some people. Those moaning that these details dont come pre installed with the console, on the internet, are sounding a bit silly imo.
Starman
The bit about music sounds like you can only play background music using the paid unlimited service. Surely not though.
TSBonyman
There was also some talk of the PS4 not being able to play audio cds, so the only hope now is that it will stream your music library from pc. I expect someone is firing off tweets to Kaz Hirai on the matter already..
Starman
That would be a very odd omission. My old ps1 was my cd player at the time!
RudeAwakening
Why does a brand new effing console straight out of the box need a patch?! Just bloody ridiculous!
Andrewww
Had they not needed a day one patch, I’d consider them plain stupid, as this would have meant they could have launched some months earlier.
Given the direct competition with the Xbone, time to market was crucial, and every halfway sane business person would have opted for the patch rather than the delay.
DarkLord
Because ps4 units were built months ago.com
Because Sony don’t want Microsoft too know what it’s plans are until the last possible moment
Because it gives Sony longer till test and debug
bunimomike
Just like most computers, when they first connect to the internet they’ll want to download the latest updates, security patches and added features. This isn’t ridiculous. This is responsible development (and a few “shit… let’s get that in there too” additions).
blarty
The bluray activation may be to defer the per BD player licensing cost to be at purchase rather than at manufacturing or to ensure that they’re compliant with their license fees – these fees and licensing terms have changed since the introduction of the PS3
colmshan1990
Some of these things seem so essential I can only assume they’re deliberately turned off.
Maybe this is Sony’s way of ensuring people don’t get to play their PS4s early when some inevitably manage to make their way to the public before the release date?
dizwod
This does seem like it could be a legit reason for it, its the only way you can keep people from using it. Especially with a number of games being released before the ps4 release date COD/AC4
coruscant
This is what I assumed too.