PlayStation 4

PlayStation Vita & PlayStation TV System Update 3.60 Now Available

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 12, 2016 | 0 comments

Not to be outdone by the PS4 and its recent system update 3.5, Sony’s portable console is receiving an update of its own, as is PlayStation TV. Because Sony’s naming scheme has never been confusing:

The PlayStation®TV system is sold as PlayStation®Vita TV system in some countries and regions. Systems with either name are referred to as “PlayStation®TV” or “PS TV” on this page.

So what does this update get us? A ton – or nothing. At this point, it’s highly unlikely that we’ll see any meaningful update for either platform as PlayStation TV is more or less dead and Vita is only alive because of indie developers. In fact the only reason PlayStation TV is even getting an update is because it’s made from the exact same hardware/software of the Vita. If it wasn’t for that, it likely wouldn’t have even received this update.

This system software update improves system performance

Ironically, the disclaimers about the update are nearly 15x longer. Those after the jump.

PS4 Faces No Competition in Japan from Xbox One

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 7, 2016 | 0 comments

Console_Sales_Japan_YoY_2015_2016

PS4 doing well is no surprise. By all accounts, the console leads Xbox One by around 20 million units and the contrast in sales is even wider in specific markets like Spain. There, PS4 software sales absolutely dwarfed that of Xbox One which even trails the Xbox 360, a console with no new titles on it. Another territory that PS4 continues to do well is in Japan where Xbox One sales are barely registering. Frankly, every once in a while we hear a war cry from Microsoft about how they plan on doing a big push in Japan and I’m not sure why. At this point, surely what they’re spending in Japan isn’t worth the nearly nonexistent marketshare they possess. If the gameplay is simply mindshare, they’re failing at that too if they’re not able to sell any units. So if there is a grand scheme by Microsoft other than pride, I’m not seeing it.

As the above chart shows, the console market is down year-over-year but for PS4, things should pick up as a number of exclusives and PS VR are expected to increase sales.

Console Hardware sales in Japan for Q1 2016.

Disappointing start with all consoles down YoY. PS4 should pick up. pic.twitter.com/b2fnBk9fv0

— ZhugeEX (@ZhugeEX) April 1, 2016

PlayStation App Version 3.50 Now Live for iOS & Android

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 7, 2016 | 0 comments

PlayStation_App

Amidst all the hoopla for PlayStation 4 system update 3.5 is another update: PlayStation App version 3.50. There aren’t nearly as many new things as there are with the PS4 update but for those wondering, the new update which is available now on iOS and Android includes:

User Scheduled Event
- Users can schedule gameplay sessions with friends
Dailymotion has been added to Live from PlayStation
Other players’ shared activities appear in your activities

PSA: PS4 System Update 3.5 is Now Live

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 6, 2016 | 0 comments

Just a quick heads up! PS4 system update 3.5 is now live and ready for your downloading pleasure. Keep in mind that this is a mandatory update so unless you have your PS4 set to auto-update, you’ll need to get this download done prior to gaming again. The new firmware brings with it Remote Play to Mac & PC with a host of social features. After the jump, a video from Sony highlighting all the new features.

Full PS4 System Update 3.5 Details

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 5, 2016 | 0 comments

PS4 system update 3.5 is scheduled to arrive tomorrow as a free update and when it lands, it’s bound to have some big impacts on your gaming habits. Most interestingly is that with the latest update, Sony isn’t focusing on bringing new ‘features’ in the way we had with PS3 where media playback and other related options were always being expanded. Instead, PS4 system update 3.5 is mostly designed to bring additional social features to PS4 which gives you an indication of how Sony views the console.

Where previously with PS3, Sony wanted to be at the center of every home theater, Sony now sees being more social as the key to driving further PlayStation growth and they’re likely not wrong. I’ve already talked about Remote Play which is coming to Mac and PC with the update tomorrow but there is a lot more with the new update, previously codenamed Musashi.

PS4_System_Update_35_Appear_Offline

Appear Offline

On your Profile tab, we’ve added a new option called ‘Online Status.’ From here, you can choose to ‘Appear Offline.’ This could be useful if you want to play games or watch movies without your friends knowing you’re online. You can designate if you would like to appear offline when you log-in or at any time from your Profile, or by holding down the PS Button on DualShock 4 to bring up the Quick Menu.

While appearing as a simple change, this functionality is a big deal. Sometimes you just want to be a hermit and play without others but, due to social stigma, it might be hard to turn down a game request. Now you can simply binge on by yourself without anybody noticing. A lot of you know that I put my PSN out there freely to game with you as much as I can but come Uncharted 4 time, I might be putting this feature to use.

PS4_System_Update_35_Friend_Online_Notification

Friend Online Notification

Now you can choose to get notified when your friends come online. To receive notifications, select a player on your friends list, press Options, and select ‘Notify When Online.’

This is again one of those neat features where if you and a group like to run Destiny raids together for instance, you can now know when they’re online. Almost the exact opposite of the above feature but just as helpful for those who game often.

More PS4 system update 3.5 details after the jump.

PS4 Remote Play Comes to Mac & PC Tomorrow

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 5, 2016 | 0 comments

At long last, after having last reported on it in November, PS4 Remote Play is coming to the Mac and PC when PS4 system update 3.5 launches. According to Sony, Remote Play will be compatible with the following system software:

Windows 8.1
Windows 10 or later
OS X 10.10
OS X 10.11

Sony is also giving you the ability to select resolution and frame rate options, depending on your Internet bandwidth. Unfortunately for those of us with 4K displays (5K in my case) and blazing internet speeds, we won’t have the ability to push the envelope to full 1080p but that likely won’t be a problem for most. Supported resolutions and frame rates include:

Resolution options: 360p, 540p, 720p (Default: 540p)
Frame rate : Standard (30fps), High (60fps) (Default: Standard)

More details after the jump.

No, ‘Final Fantasy XV’ Doesn’t Have to Sell 10 Million Copies to Be Profitable

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 4, 2016 | 0 comments

Final Fantasy XV Characters

Due to a misunderstanding, a lot of outlets reported that Square Enix would have to sell 10 million copies of Final Fantasy XV to turn a profit. This was in part due to a statement from Final Fantasy XV director Hajime Tabata which stated that they’d need to sell 10 million units which was than interpreted as the likely cost of the entire endeavor. In some ways, seeing how long FFXV has been in development (10 years for those playing at home), I wouldn’t be surprised if they did need to sell that much. However as it turns out, it’s mostly been a misunderstanding of what that number really represented.

A clarification from Square can be found after the jump.

What the PlayStation VR External Processor Actually Does

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 4, 2016 | 0 comments

Official_PlayStation_VR_10

A lot of you have been wondering what exactly the PlayStation VR’s external processor does. Speculation among many has been that it gives the PS4 extra processing power to handle VR and that the system cannot do that on its own. According to PlayStation engineer Chris Norden, that couldn’t be further from the truth. First, what the PlayStation VR external processor does not do:

Provides no extra GPU or CPU power.
Not any form of PS4 expansion or upgrade.
Not directly accessible by the developer in any way – code cannot be written to it.

Norden:

The PS4 is perfectly capable of 120Hz all on its own

That means that all the gameplay you’ll see in front of you as you strap on PS VR is done purely by PS4. That last bullet point is also very important. This means that the external processor has very specific things it was designed to do but nothing that devs can tap into and utilize. Think of it like the RAM allocation of the PS4. Not all of it can be used for gameplay as some is set aside for the PS4 UI and other functions like live streams. However, there are other things that the external processor does that do help out with the overall gameplay experience. Those details after the jump.

Poll: Are You Now Excited by Final Fantasy XV?

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 1, 2016 | 2 comments

A mere decade after it was announced, we are finally learning more about Final Fantasy XV – but what we’ve gotten in the past week is much more than just a release date. Here’s what Square Enix has in store for us in what they are calling the Final Fantasy XV Universe:

Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV
A full-length CG movie focusing on what’s happening back at home while Noctis is off on the adventure that we will explore in the game. The movie will be released worldwide before the game’s launch. Watch the announcement trailer here.

Brotherhood Final Fantasy XV
An anime series exploring the budding friendships of Noctis and his three friends, helping to set up the story within the game. The first episode is already available to stream on YouTube. The entire five-episode series will be free to watch.

Platinum Demo – Final Fantasy XV
This free download is the perfect way for first-timers and longtime fans of Final Fantasy to dive in to FFXV and explore the gameplay we can expect in the final build coming out in September. The demo was made available immediately on Xbox One and PS4 after the Uncovered: Final Fantasy XV event on Wednesday, March 30th. Watch the trailer for the demo here.

Justice Monsters Five
A mobile game for Android and iOS devices, this pinball game will also be available within Final Fantasy XV at launch. The mobile app will be available for download soon, but until then, you can preregister for it:

Android pre-registration
iOS pre-registration

Final Fantasy XV
And, finally, the game itself. Pre-orders are already up and running for the digital version on Xbox One and PS4, and three different Collector’s Editions:

Day One Edition – $59.99
- Final Fantasy series Masamune DLC weapon
- Xbox Store Pre-order Incentives: Two Xbox One Avatars including Noctis Special Outfit and Carbuncle pet
- PlayStation®Store Pre-order Incentives: Dynamic PS4™ theme for PlayStation 4 players
Deluxe Edition – $89.99
- All Day One Edition content plus an exclusive dual disc steelbook containing FINAL FANTASY XV and KINGSGLAIVEmovie Blu-ray and Platinum Leviathan Regalia design and access to the Royal Raiment costume DLC
Ultimate Collector’s Edition (Available exclusively on the Square Enix Online Store) – $269.99
- All Deluxe Edition content plus exclusive disc steelbooks containing the Official Final Fantasy XV Blu-ray Soundtrack (featuring music from Final Fantasy XV, Kingsglaive and Brotherhood), Brotherhood Blu-ray (containing an exclusive sixth episode), hard-cover artbook, an exclusive limited edition variant Noctis PLAY ARTS -KAI- action figure, and in-game item packs

That’s a universe, all right. So, are you stoked? Let us know in our poll after the jump!

PS4 Software Sales are Doing Quite Well in Spain, Xbox One Not So Much

by Sohrab Osati | Mar 31, 2016 | 2 comments

PS4_XboxOne_Software_Sales_Spain_2015

Sometimes a chart is all you need to tell a story. The above depicts software unit sales for each major console in Spain for 2015. Another interesting takeaway from the chart is that for Sony, PS4 is now outselling PS3 in software which is a very healthy sign for their ecosystem. Don’t be surprised to see this gap widen as more 2016 exclusives like Uncharted 4 begin to arrive on PS4 in just a month’s time.

PlayStation VR’s Biggest Design Challenge

by Sohrab Osati | Mar 31, 2016 | 0 comments

Creating a virtual reality headset is so small technical challenge on its own. However the feasibility of the technology is only part of the story. In order for VR to be compelling, it must also be easy to use and that’s long before you powering on the machine the drives it. Masayasu Ito, head of hardware at PlayStation talks design challenge.

The earlier prototype of Project Morpheus had two sets of fit bands, which was a bit too complicated for our tastes, so the designers came up with this one big band that stretches and shrinks pretty easily, so you can handle it with one hand when you’re used to it.

It also lets you to pull out the display when you need to look at a smartphone or drink, because of the weight balance. This was important but super challenging for the designers and we are proud of what they’ve accomplished.

This is actually something that’s quite profound. If done right, we never think of design and simply use the product at hand. It’s only when something is designed poorly or has obvious shortfalls that the products limitations begin to manifest themselves to us if just using it is frustrating on its own. This is especially important when you consider VR which is a completely new medium. Even if Sony is able to create the most immersive world possible, if the simple task of putting on and off the headset is a challenge, you’re likely to be less inclined to utilize it after a few times with it and in all likelihood, it’s an unconscious decision which makes Sony’s job at reeling you back in that much harder.

PlayStation VR Won’t Include Intensity Rating

by Sohrab Osati | Mar 30, 2016 | 0 comments

Unlike Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR when it launches this October won’t feature and intensity rating. Sony Worldwide Studios President Shuhei Yoshida explains:

I’m a fan of the Oculus approach personally, to have ‘Intense’, ‘Comfortable for most’ or ‘Comfortable for everyone’, something like that. But I think our approach will be to go through each rating board, so PEGI for Europe.

We discussed it internally and it’s very subjective and difficult to work consistently as there’s so much content coming in. What causes the nausea? It’s not like everyone has the same reaction, everybody’s different, and people get used to some experiences.

This is so now. Because we are learning so much, we cannot just come up with one approach of our own, so we prefer to work with the industry.

This makes a lot of sense. Too many rating systems will not only be confusing for consumers, but convoluted as well if a title gets multi-console release with different scores/warnings attached to it. If anything, there will be some knee-jerk reactions to how we should handle VR content during its infancy but like all other mediums, it eventually become the norm. Think movies, we have G, PG, PG13, and R for the most part. Now attached to most of them are some small texts like ‘fantasy violence’ and ‘language’ but does anybody actually read them? In this case, not trying to pin down too much what VR is and can be is better as it’s still an evolving landscape.

PlayStation VR Could Come to PC

by Sohrab Osati | Mar 29, 2016 | 0 comments

PlayStation VR could come to a PC near you. Sony Computer Entertainment executive vice president Masayasu Ito:

Since Playstation 4 shares a lot of its internals with PCs, the possibility is there. At the moment we are focused on games and we are not ready to make any announcements at this stage, but I’d say there will be an expansion into various fields.

PlayStation VR could also come to Xbox One which also utilizes a PC architecture, an iPhone if the game was built on Swift and ported over for PS4, and on Linux because those 7 users also want in on the VR action. Kidding on the last one so don’t send me hate mail, I know there is at least 10 Linux users out there.

Jokes aside, the point is that Sony could bring VR to anything but that’s nor here or there as first, they have to launch the thing. The above statement is nothing more than just out loud thinking and should not be taken as indication of what’s to come.

Let’s Talk PlayStation 4K Rumors

by Sohrab Osati | Mar 28, 2016 | 0 comments

Before anything else, can we collectively stop calling it PlayStation 4.5? Does Apple sell iPhone 6.5 units? Are we on the Galaxy S6.5? So with that out of the way, let’s talk about what the current PlayStation 4K rumors state. When originally surfaced, many sites reported that:

Based on conversations with developers who have spoken with Sony, this ‘PS4.5’ will include an upgraded GPU both to support high-end 4K resolution for games and add more processing power that can enhance the games

In short, the working theory was that PS4K would be an upgraded machine that would be capable of playing 4K games. While fully backwards compatible, PS4K would live alongside the current console. However, developers would now work in more of a PC environment where they’d create games capable of running on both machines with one running at a higher resolution and among other improvements allowed by the extra horsepower.

Seems straightforward enough, but soon after, the tune began to change with ‘trusted source’ regarding what this machine would be.

The new chip will enable support for 4K resolution, HDR (high dynamic range) and a wide color gamut. The same picture improvements are currently being built into new high-end TVs, including Sony TVs. In addition, it would have an HDMI 2.0 output to be capable of outputting 4K at up to 60 frames per second, as well as HEVC decoding

So it’s either it’s a 4K gaming machine or 4K media machine right? Well, according to some speculation, it’s both.

Besides supporting games in 4K, it would support 4K streaming from the likes of Netflix.

While that sounds nice, the reality is that it’s a pipe dream. That’s because:

Even if the processor is twice as powerful as today, it would struggle to deliver games in 4K and 60fps, they argue. Today, many PS4 games run at 1080p and 60fps but the most demanding games often halve the frame rate to 30fps or reduce resolution to 900p.

Think about it. There is still a lot of games that don’t hit that magical 60fps and when they do, it’s because of lowered resolution. If developers are still having a hard time hitting 60fps on large complicated games every single time, what will they do when their games go from 1920 x 1280 to 3840 × 2160? Will the PS4K have to double or quadruple its processor and RAM? If so, what will be the cost of the machine? It sure won’t be $399 or $499 and from every move Sony has made with PlayStation in the past few years, including the upcoming PlayStation VR, it’s clear that Sony wants to make more of a mass market machine than a raw power unit like the PS3 which launched with a high price tag. A PS4K would be exactly that. Even if Sony continues to make the PS4 (which they would), with a much higher price tag, there simply won’t be the adoption rate to make developing for it worth a studio’s time.

This brings us to the latest rumors regarding the PS4K and PlayStation VR. Let’s talk more PlayStation 4K rumors after the jump.

Poll: Are you more interested in PlayStation VR as a standalone unit or in a bundle?

by Allegra Osati | Mar 25, 2016 | 0 comments

With the PlayStation VR bundle pre-orders behind us and standalone pre-orders still to come (next week!), PS VR is a hot topic right now. But which option do you prefer? Take a look at what comes in the PlayStation VR box versus the PlayStation VR bundle and let us know in our poll after the jump!