280°

Here's How Ads Appear On PlayStation 4's Activity Feed

Finally the embargo has been lifted from the PlayStation 4 hardware, its UI and the games. We have seen a lot of UI videos and walkthroughs of the UI along with a lot of pictures. It appears PlayStation 4 will integrate ads into the activity feed of the user. Jeff Gertsmann, co-founder of Giant Bomb, shows us an off-screen image of the activity feed showing an ad.

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Sleepless3817d ago

How is that not distracting?? It gets the biggest chunk of the screen

PlayStation_43817d ago

only one ad at one time though, plus you need to go into the "What's new" section"

darthv723817d ago

Many dont really know the difference between the two user interfaces. They look at the xbox dash and see ads but in reality what they are seeing is the culmination of not only the gamers user interface but the incorporation of the live marketplace all in one.

The difference on the PS3 (and probably PS4) is the separation of the two. the Ps store is separate from the XMB so that is why many complain about the ads on the live dash.

If sony incorporated the store throughout the xmb it would essentially be like the dash of the xbox. So YES you would see ads for content available in parts of the store.

To some extent we already have the direct links to the different sections of the store from the XMB. If you are on the games section, go up to the PS store icon and it takes you to the games section of the store. complete with ads for game related content.

Go to the movies/video section of the xmb and go up to the PS store icon and it takes you to the movies/video section of the store. complete with ads. What Ms did was build the entire marketplace INTO the dash instead of making it a separate entity.

so while the complaints of ads on the dash seem legit, they are for content that is available within the live marketplace. So clicking on the movie trailer from the games section takes you to the marketplace for movies. clicking on a jack links ad from the main dash screen takes you to the jack links promo page for free themes or gamer pics.

At the very least MS has the ad providers give you something for the trouble of clicking on the ad. be it an entry into a contest to win a home theater system or QR codes for free offers from Doritos you get something AND you have to make that effort to click on them to begin with.

Now if this new gen makes it where you are subjected to having to watch an ad before you can download a game demo or even play the damn game....then we got problems.

As it is, both platforms are wanting to make $$$ off not only the consumer but ad revenue as well. do your part and support the platform and you never know, you just might get something in return for clicking on those ads.

pivotplease3817d ago

The marketplace is simultaneously integrated and separate though on the dashboard. I was never a fan of how they have a marketplace for every medium. It basically makes the dashboard out to be 80% ads and marketplace. You do have some good points though darth. Sony has slowly been finding cohesive ways to throw in ads (e.g. what's new). However, I find this useful because almost half of what is shown is a free game or sale pertaining to plus.

GTgamer3817d ago (Edited 3817d ago )

http://cdn.cnet.com.au/stor...
This is the PS3's whats new Section a thing you have to enter just like on the PS4 its not all over the UI. By reading the comments im guessing half of you never owned a PS3 or just xbox fans sounding rediculousy desperate its sadddd TBh :/

FamilyGuy3817d ago

No ads that don't relate to the PS system or gaming itself show up on the UI, you'll never see something like a Pringles ad unless there's some "Win free games" promotion going on with it. In the actual store you might find an ad though, as I recently noticed in the Free-2-Play section where they've got car ad commercials for Corolla running.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3817d ago
culpepper5163817d ago

it's a playstation store ad.....which actually makes sense. If PSN has a new deal, one that benefits the consumers, it makes sense that it's shown in the "What's New" section

combatcash3817d ago

I wonder if it's going to only be Sony ads, or if it will go the xbox route as well.

Only time will tell but why pass up on the opportunity to cash in on some ad space.

AngelicIceDiamond3817d ago

Didn't know PS4 would have ads. Its no big deal considering I play games and not ads.

FamilyGuy3817d ago

That "Ad" is directly related to the PS Store itself.
It's a promotion showing that spending money on the PS Store digital movie content will gain you a return in PS Store credits. Not like it's a commercial and these type of promotional billboards are already present on the PS3. This is nothing new and no where near a kin to seeing something like the StateFarm Insurance ad posted on the X1 dashboard.

People really need to learn the difference between relevant content and ads posted for nothing more than commercial profit.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3817d ago
Gazondaily3817d ago

People made a big deal about a tiny little square on the Xbox 360 UI, lets see them apply the same standards here.

pacostacos3817d ago

you know it wont happen the double standards are strong around here... if sony does it all of a sudden its okay

combatcash3817d ago

@PACOSTACOS

Very true "sony will never charge to play online" and now it's ok because "well they offer more for your subscription" Ads were regarded as evil on xbox 360 by ps3 only owners but I'm sure now it will be acceptable.

Sony is more like Microsoft than people think, but fanboyism blinds folks.

dcj05243817d ago

I think that's in the "What's New" section. So if you go there you KNOW there will be ads. Just saying.

JimmyLmao3817d ago (Edited 3817d ago )

the difference being here that you have to go out of your way to see this.. into another section and scroll down.. its not on the main home screen

Naga3817d ago

It's not on the home screen of the Xbox One, either. So how is that a difference?

JimmyLmao3817d ago (Edited 3817d ago )

@onagao

we were talking about 360

Naga3817d ago (Edited 3817d ago )

Ah, gotcha. My mind automatically went to the misguided complaints about the mythical ads that were supposedly on the XB1 home screen. I'm with you now - thanks for the clarification.

Ol_G3817d ago

ads on a console is horrible i paid for the damn device why should i be bothered with this spam

webeblazing3817d ago

I wouldn't mind if mp was free but not if I'm paying. But its deals on stuff in PS store so makes sense. I wouldn't be surprised if other ads start popping up tho they got to make money right.

darthv723817d ago

@septic but people will say its an ad for something that is available from the PS service so its okay.

And yet most of the ads on the dash are related to content available within the live service as well. some obviously not but hell, even the jack links ads would give you gamer pics or themes for your trouble.

go figure

Godmars2903817d ago (Edited 3817d ago )

Lets see if they stay game/console related.

I mean I've seen furniture ads on Xbox dashboards.

Also not its never registered on the Xbox camp that you pay subscriptions and you get ads. Likely still going to get them if you get PS+, but PS+ is still more of an option than XBL.

Palaven3817d ago (Edited 3817d ago )

Funny, I have only ever seen game or movie related ads on my Xbox dashboard.

svoulis3817d ago

I still don't get it, this is not an ad its a promotion, for PlayStation Store. Not a 3rd party endorsement. If it said FORD FOCUS BLAHBLAHBLAH VROOM and played a video, yes I'd be annoyed

Blackdeath_6633817d ago

its exactly the same as the what's new section in the ps3 nobody said anything about that. all ads were linked to the PSN store or the playstation website.

Brix903817d ago

PS3 has ads too...there on the Whats New sections so nothing new

bromtown3817d ago

I don't have a problem with Ads on the 360 if they're for games I might want, or services available on the system (like Netflix) its when you start getting ads that are completely jarring and obviously only there because money changed hands, which Microsoft do and PS don't. Fast food and soft drinks don't appear on PlayStation, games, services and occasionally other Sony products do - the latter being the closest it gets to an actual advert.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 3817d ago
svoulis3817d ago (Edited 3817d ago )

Erm, Is that an ad for Playstation? Wouldn't it make sense? Just asking.

@disagrees

If I am wrong, please state it? I am asking a question how can you disagree with that.

mushroomwig3817d ago (Edited 3817d ago )

You're not wrong, not only is it PlayStation related but it's a GOOD deal. People just like to complain for the sake of it.

Blackdeath_6633817d ago

its exactly the same as the what's new section on the ps3 and nobody cried then. all ads linked to a promo on the PSN store or the playstion blog website. not like you are getting any pizza hut ads or anything

bromtown3817d ago

Nobody cried because people on this website either own a PS3 and know ads are not an issue on PS platforms because they're for games, services and Sony products not pizzas, mountain dew and doritos haha..

Either that or they have never even owned a PS3 and just come here to complain about things they have no experience with.

AD7053817d ago

One thing I hated about the 360s dashboard later on was the insane amount of ads that infiltrated the dashboard. I hope the ps4 doesn't do the same but it doesn't look that way.

theWB273817d ago

It seems you're going off the false internet talk. There are only a few tiles that have ads that don't pertain to Xbox Live content. They're usually tucked in the corner and are wholly unobtrusive.

DOMination-3817d ago

In the UK at least there is ONE tile that's an ad, on the home part of the dashboard but the ad doesn't actually run unless you move over and hover across it. Normally they are for LoveFILM but the last six months it's been an ad for XB1. Like I say, this is for UK.. they certainly exist but it's insane how exaggerated the N4G community makes it out to be.

WeAreLegion3817d ago (Edited 3817d ago )

That's not really an ad...

EDIT: Even on the PS3's store, this is the first thing you see. They want people to know that they can get money back for spending.

Ol_G3817d ago (Edited 3817d ago )

more like a wallpaper ...

Ol_G3817d ago

yeah to buy stuff that has nothing to do with gaming

Can we install an adblocker on this thing?

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150°

Sony Patents To Prevent You From In-Game Harassment By Reading Your Emotions

A new patent recently published by Sony wants to gather biometric data of gamers to track whether one is being harassed using AI tools.

Profchaos1d 13h ago (Edited 1d 13h ago )

I hope this is one of those patents that never comes to fruition.

I already dislike the fact you can pay a significant amount for a online service buy associated games and content on said service and get banned from that service over potentially a misunderstanding the bans are already handed out for flimsy reasons

I'd rather see money invested in a ban that simply removes the offensive players ability to communicate with unknown players allow them to continue party chats with friends but not with Joe blow on cod.

exputers1d 9h ago

Agreed. Blizzard recently banned a college Overwatch 2 player who's dependent for saying "shit." Pretty harsh.

Profchaos18h ago(Edited 18h ago)

How rediculas really. You can't say a word that's allowed in most PG films and prime time TV but the game is based around killing the enemy team using guns, explosives etc.

It's just backwards.

just_looken20h ago

What your talking about is called block list

In 2006 a spaceship dropped of the playstation 3/xbox 360 i say that that generation was the last great gen with game functions/tech that has yet to comeback

Anyhow the playstation 3 if you block listed a id they could not talk to you in chatroom with either text or voice. But that was pre mind fucked 2018 when people were more human than sheep.

But hey gta 6 is coming out billion dollar budget without a single player custom character creator and without singeplayer coop off/online something saints row 1-3 had on the xbox 360.

z2g1d 6h ago

Take my social security and bank account numbers too! Here’s a picture of my wife and our address.

phoenixwing1d 5h ago

Cmon where's the pictures of your children. Don't hold out on them.

H91d 6h ago

At this rate I feel Sony will eventually sell a room to play games in it where they can monitor your every breath

jambola1d 2h ago

I genuinely get a bit worried sometimes when a friend says something that could be offensive In a party
Because I have no trouble believing some bans would happen when in a private party for saying something wrong

SegaSaturn6691d 4h ago

I want them to censor erotic content by measuring my groin temperature so i dont get too distracted while playing black ops 2.

Popsicle1d 4h ago

Terrible idea. Not only do I not consent to providing my biometric data, the potential for mishandling biometric data is almost a certainty. Positive stress and negative stress can produce similar changes in biometrics. Interpreting the precise emotion a person is feeling is not only invasive but could be easily misconstrued. I hope this never comes to fruition.

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130°

Sony Could Increase Your Game's Difficulty If It Sees You Complain About It

Sony has recently published a new patent that wants to dynamically handle the games' difficulty and gameplay based on the player's emotions.

jznrpg1d 21h ago

This is something I might use. Sometimes I play some good games but they don’t have difficulty option and are a little too easy.

Profchaos1d 21h ago

Souls games will be like that players struggling make it harder

PassNextquestion1d 20h ago (Edited 1d 20h ago )

I think if used correctly it could work well

jambola1d 16h ago

cool idea
cool idea for horror games especially
the way it's explained here sounds like it could never be forced hopefully, so that's ok with me

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280°

Sony Taps Bungie's Head of Revenue to Lead Live-Service Games

Sony has recruited Bungie's head of revenue Jaremy Rich to head up its live-service gaming division, Rich has announced on social media.

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techraptor.net
ChasterMies22d ago

Please do not put Destiny’s monetization into Sony’s first party games. The monetization is what’s driving players away from Destiny.

just_looken22d ago

The new temp boss is the sony cfo bean counter so i can see this being a thing get every penny.

Cacabunga22d ago

PlayStation officially losing it.. fans will never support gaas games

just_looken22d ago

@car

The new boss did a interview in japan he wants to tap into the mobile market like nintendio so he give 0 fucks about gamers/fans

https://www.pushsquare.com/...

Redemption-6421d ago

@Cacabunga
You only speak for you and those who think like you, but most fans will support what they want. Playstation and PC fans are literally supporting Helldivers 2 and that is a gaas. Maybe you wouldn't, but many more would if they like it.

Huey_My_D_Long21d ago

@Redemption-64
Look, Im not making any judgement calls about this guy, but I will say that Helldivers 2 GaaS model is unique to Helldivers, and legit the only other game I can think of thats similiar was the Avengers game except HD2 pass is still better.
The fact that you can earn in game currency in a way that doesnt make you feel like you have to grind forever, as well you being able work on that pass that you bought...on your own time without a time limit...that right there is fucking huge to me, and I can't name any game other than avengers that avoided trapping players with FOMO logic...I think GaaS on HD2 shouldn't be compared to the rest of the industry...it should be copied.

Einhander197221d ago

Cacabunga

Helldivers 2...

Redemption-64

In Europe it's a 60 40 split favoring PC.
In the US its a 60 40 split favoring PS5.

So PlayStation owners supported the game just fine, it's not getting carried by PC or anything like that.

FinalFantasyFanatic21d ago

@just_looken,
I'm perfectly fine with the way Nintendo entered the mobile market, I never touched their mobile games, meanwhile, the console/handheld stayed the way it is. As for being a bean counter, he's probably going to reel in these massive budgets that Sony's studios have had lately, I haven't played Spiderman 2, but I cannot see how they almost tripled the budget for that game.

@Redemption-64,
That's an exception to the rule, I'm expecting a lot of these GAAS games from Sony to fail, to be fair, they only need a few to succeed, but I would have preferred that they put more of their resources into other types of games.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 21d ago
DivineHand12522d ago

True their monetization is driving players away and at the same time, their decision to chop out content and convoluted systems is keeping new players away from the game.

Joe91322d ago

I don't think that will happen based on how things worked out at Naughty Dog now that we know what we do, seems they had the option to fully commit to live service games or stay making single player experences so they gave up on their live service game. We are not sure how things came about with Bend making a live service game but I hope that was not a forced situation. Sony doesnt seem like they are forcing studios to switch up but we will see, Sony's bread and butter is single player games it is how they dominated the console market.

Obscure_Observer21d ago

Yeah, I though Sony learned something from all their failures in the LS segment under Bungie´s disastrous leadership and supervision which led to games been cancelled, studios closed and all the people laid off.

Looks like Bungie still plays a major role in Sony´s LS initiative and Sony is not backtracking on their GaaS plans.

S2Killinit21d ago (Edited 21d ago )

Are we forgetting that Destiny is also a highly successful franchise? I feel like that definitely deserves mention here.

Besides, there is no reason why a person cant learn from past experiences.

Joe91321d ago

I agree, people act as if Destiny flopped when it came out lol it took 9 to 10 years for the numbers to fall yet people are still playing it add the success of Helldivers 2 no wonder Sony is going forward down this path.

S2Killinit21d ago

Personally, I see no problem with Sony also having service games as long as they make good ones, and more importantly they deliver the AAA story driven games that they are known for. So yeah, I agree 100% with you.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 21d ago
Christopher22d ago

I mean, this person made some pretty bad decisions at Bungie. I hope they've learned from them because I definitely don't see those type of ideas as good for PlaySation in general.

CrimsonWing6921d ago (Edited 21d ago )

Honestly, what’s to learn from? How to make people happily continuously dump money into a single game over its life-time? Buy season passes continuously for several years with a smile on our faces?

GaaS is a design decision that is everything wrong with this industry. The fact that Helldivers 2 did so well and people defend the monetization because it was $40 and is a fun game, scares the sh*t out of me to see that the door is open and all shift will probably be to replicate that in future games. We already know the ROI for traditional game dev cost isn’t doing it for them.

I thought with Jimbo leaving we’d see a change for the better… I’m not so sure now.

S2Killinit21d ago

Service games are being offered by everyone. Sony cannot afford to only create single player AAA games. No one can. They already said they will be doing both.

Abnor_Mal22d ago (Edited 22d ago )

Ps5 gamers in 2023 seemed to play more live service types of games, so regardless to how people feel about them, numbers don’t lie and Sony is going where the money is. I mean look at the excitement around Helldivers2, people are showing that they want live service games.

Christopher22d ago

They play long-time existing live service games like CoD, Fortnite, Apex Legends, Destiny 2, and the like. Mass majority of new live service games are considered failures and aren't moving gamers away from older games.

just_looken22d ago

Yep the huge issue with live service is they need paid players along with a reason to play them.

You forgot mobile market that also taps into that player base as well as the eve online style games there is only a certain amount of krakens/whales blind supporters compared to the amount of live service games we have its not sustainable math wise.

700 restaurants making food for every seat for 1000-3000 eaters just does not work out

Einhander197221d ago (Edited 21d ago )

Christopher

I am not a big live service fan and literally own zero of the games you listed, but that is not true, unless you call games that aren't the top games to be failures.

There are tons of live service games that are profitable.

Games don't have to be the biggest game ever they just need to make more than they cost.

I challenge you to show professionally prepared data that shows that more live service games fail than make enough to keep going.

Because all the data that I have seen shows that live service is less of a gamble than making a big AAA budget game which needs to survive off retail sales.

FinalFantasyFanatic21d ago

I sometimes wonder if we're at saturation point, where it's hard for a new game to join those ranks unless it's particularly exceptional, people only have so much time and money to devote to these types of games.

romulus2321d ago

Correction, they have no issue playing good live service games

shinoff218321d ago

Lol it's not even a quarter of the ps5s sold. Helldivers may have been a hit but let's not say most are enjoying it because truth is most(the real most ) don't care about it.

S2Killinit21d ago (Edited 21d ago )

I play what is fun. If a live service game is good I’ll play it as long as its not a money scheme which Helldivers is not.

And Im a single player gamer.

mastershredder22d ago

How do you kill a franchise that already been killed?
Destiny’s grind, cash-in-on-playbass-cha-Ching, and pop-culture-insertion mainstream-me-too bs totally killed any rep Bungie had. Sony/Bungie, if you are doing this to ward-off players, it’s already working.

crazyCoconuts22d ago

Headline truncated:
"... off a cliff"

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