The much rumoured share button for the PlayStation 4 has been confirmed during Sony’s PlayStation Meeting event, and the level of integration is deeper than anyone could have imagined. You’ll be able to stream live gameplay from your PlayStation 4 to the world with a touch of a button, a much more interesting approach than many had predicted.
Gaikai’s Dave Perry took to the stage to explain the company’s involvement with the platform and, as expected, it comes on the PSN side of things. While it’s not entirely clear how the streaming will work on the hardware side of things, although it seems obvious that Gaikai will have had a hand in fitting their technology into the new console, what it means for gamers is very exciting. At the touch of a button you can push your gaming session out onto the internet for all to see. Perry also spoke about heavy integration with UStream to leverage scheduled broadcasts, although it’s not entirely clear whether they’re an exclusive partner for the service or not.
On top of an already impressive ability to spectate on games, Perry also spoke of the ability for fellow gamers to “look over your shoulder”. At its most basic level, this comes with the ability for others to comment on your stream, assuming you opt in that is. However, beyond this ability to simply encourage or trash talk is something far more exciting; others can actually take over your game and play for you. Got a friend who’s great at a particular section of a game? Hand control over to them online and they can play it for you, or show you where to go.
Perry also spoke of the ability for spectators to drop things into your game, much like the functionality in New Super Mario Bros. U or the upcoming Rayman Legends. To be able to do this via online is a real coup for Sony, but it doesn’t stop there.
In a move that will thrill many, Perry went on to talk about the integration of Remote Play into the system. While it initially seemed like streaming gameplay to the PS Vita would be a system level feature, it quickly became clear that, much like the current system, it would be on a game by game basis. However, the underlying technology looked far more integrated, and with the PS4’s focus on streaming gameplay it seems like Remote Play should be an easier feature for developers to utilise the time round.
Cerberus64
LIVE STREAMING!!! They can’t even live stream the webcast of the PS4 launch without it cutting out and losing sound!!!
FAIL!
Mickey2010
Only happened once to me at the start but switched vid quality to 480p and it runs smoothly.
Maybe im a lucky one? lol
leeroye
Agreed
Dom El
After an hour of extremely jerky streaming, (which seemed to stop at any point where they said ‘exclusively….’) I’m not incredibly confident of doing anything involving streaming whether it’s gaming or not…
It did at least clear up for the Killzone demo so that was something!
KeRaSh
Remote Play alone would have sold me. Finally a glimpse of hope that the reason why I bought a Vita in the first place actually becomes reality.
Dom El
It’s troubling that it’s not a set system feature, rather a game by game option. It’s one of the key things I’ve wanted out of my Vita too, and if it actually works well with crisp streaming and no lag that’s fantastic! I’m just tempering that hope against the fact I wanted that from my PS3/Vita and the results were less than stellar (did anyone else play Lair?).
cc_star
If it’s not compulsory then 3rd parties rarely commit to it.
KeRaSh
I’m really hoping that they nudge developers into the right direction. If they mess it up, I’ll be pissed.
Dom El
You’d hope that Sony make developers commit to it, particularly as it’d be a huge shot in the arm for the Vita. If it works properly then it could be the biggest distinction between Sony and Microsoft’s offering, and a huge selling point for both Playstation consoles.
cam the man
Like the idea of streaming and remote play but I think I may have to move house to benefit from it properly. Newcastle currently has 4G and fibre broadband, hmm?
How they implement trophies when ‘others can take over your game and play for you’? Great feature though.
TSBonyman
Really impressed at how deep a system they are developing, beyond what i expected for sure. Looking forward to more details as they are revealed.
xdarkmagician
I don’t like this idea of sharing live gameplay. IMO were going to get spammed with videos. Plus its going to be easier than ever to share glitches and exploits for multiplayer. At least now if you want to cheat you have to at least start at google, but I can’t imagine this sharing not ruining games like CoD. It also brings up an interesting copyright issue, theres companies out there that hate people posting gameplay video so what happens when someone starts sharing Beta videos, or early demo builds? To me this gameplay sharing is probably going to be a can of worms that Sony is going to regret opening.
KeRaSh
“Sharing this content is currently not available.”
I’m guessing that’s what you get when trying to share NDAed beta content. Easy as that. As for your glitch and cheat concerns, if anything this makes it easier for Sony to find and ban idiots. I’m also sure you will be able to disable any notifications or invites for stuff like that.
Kennykazey
I’m glad they’ve improved remote play, and to me it sounded like they would be pushing for a much greater library then supports it now. So we can only hope.
The Von Braun
:-( This is a selling point these days? Ohhh Next-Gen, why doth thou dissapoint me so?
And, as many said..if you cannot even stream footage of an event well, what ruddy chance has this got, unless things drastically improve?.
And, has to be said:My fears are realised here, rather than offer something ONLY on PS4, it’s: ‘what Wii U can do, we do too’ and sure MS will be making just a big a fuss about their platforms streaming as well.
Dom El
I think Microsoft’s problem will be the lack of a dedicated gaming handset to play anything that their console is streaming. Off-screen play is one of my favourite thing’s about the Wii U, and a working version of it for PS4 would be fantastic.