410°

Firmware Updates: Sony, We Need More Than Stability

PlayStationing writes: "Last generation, it is safe to say that Sony’s firmware updates were far too frequent, and provided little to no new features with each release. However with the PlayStation 4 I’d argue that the updates are far too infrequent, and the dreaded word “stability” is stated too often."

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playstationing.com
Mikelarry3676d ago

I really hope sony does not wait till e3 or after to add mp3, dlna and the suspend and resume functions.

Neonridr3676d ago

while it's great to have all these new features and options to enhance recording and streaming videos, it's odd that they are choosing to ignore basic functionality like dlna support. I stream stuff from my PC to my TV all the time. I currently do it through my Home Theatre system directly because Sony is so finicky about .mkv support (my TV is Sony but won't play those files, my home theatre system is Sony also but will play the .mkv filetype - ironic). I would love to be able to do it through my PS4 instead for convenience.

XtraTrstrL3676d ago

I still say the mp3/audio cd/media server support is all missing as of now for them to have time to hook as many people as they can with the fully functional Music and Video Unlimited services. Cuz there's really no other reason those wouldn't be in by now, it's not things that would take them any significant time to add. They actually had to go out their way to take out audio cd playback 'n whatnot.

AstroCyborg3676d ago

the ps4 is a gaming console not a media center thats the xbox 1

Neonridr3676d ago

@AstroCyborg - people loved using the streaming features in the PS3, since a lot of people used that as their primary blu ray player. Why can't we expect the same from the PS4?

WeedyOne3676d ago (Edited 3676d ago )

The biggest problem i have that needs to be fixed via firmware update is a fix for 5.1 surround via optical cables.

Currently if you have your PS4 hooked up to you TV through HDMI and route an optical cable to your receiver for sound, it will not output 5.1 digital surround for movies even when you have primary sound through optical selected. It does output 5.1 for games but not movies! WHY?!?!?!

This is my biggest beef with the PS4. Also an update to play 3D blu-rays would be nice...

gaffyh3676d ago

@Weedy - I don't think that affects that many people. I agree it's stupid, but most people are content with HDMI audio out, there's relatively low percentage with a full surround sound system. That might be why they aren't bothered about it at the moment, but it probably will be fixed pretty soon because movies are a major business for Sony.

Neonridr3675d ago

my HDMI audio out goes into the TV which then reverse feeds via ARC back to the surround sound system. It's probably not the best way to run it, but it works, and I am getting 5.1 sound.

WeedyOne3675d ago

@Neonridr

Wouldnt my receiver have to accept HDMI for ARC to work? Im using optical because i dont have HDMI ports on my receiver.

kreate3675d ago

Im not buying a ps4 until I can transfer video files over from a external hdd. And when the price drops to $299.

Can I transfer video files over on the x1 from a external hdd?

Anyone know?

Neonridr3675d ago

@WeedyOne - yes it would. Sorry I didn't clarify that. ;)

Shame that it doesn't support 5.1 via optical currently for movies. Seems very odd.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 3675d ago
Naga3676d ago

Weren't those features promised to arrive shortly after launch?

Cha0tik3675d ago

It's still is shortly after launch to them. I honestly feel like we should be patient because I know I don't want to rush an update and have a bricked PS4 as the gift for being impatient.

us_army3676d ago

Just putting this out there, but Sony posted on their blog like a week and a half ago that a big update is coming very soon, and detailed some of the features. This included, streaming additions with editor, twitch improvements etc. Not to mention adding ability to use seperate capture card and can upload files to any external device to be out on youtube etc

Neonridr3676d ago

those still aren't anything close to what Mikelarry mentioned in his original post.

Snookies123676d ago

@Neonridr - Yeah, but we don't know what the full update will contain. Those are just some of the features being added. The ones Mikelarry mentioned might be included as well.

WeedyOne3676d ago (Edited 3676d ago )

Those features are all crap social features that I dont give 2 poops about.

Fix 5.1 audio for movies using optical cables!
Give me 3D Blu-ray support!
Show me some MP3 and DLNA love!

Those are features people REALLY want. Not more ways to be social. If i wanted to be social I wouldnt be playing video games damnit!

Illusive_Man3676d ago

It's about games. That stuff is unnecessary.

Lockon3676d ago

No way we need more stability updates!
/s

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GribbleGrunger3676d ago (Edited 3676d ago )

Is this an old article? I find it weird that Sony just announced a huge update recently that didn't have anything to do with 'stability' and then an article like this pops up. Very strange timing ...

"This upcoming update will add a rich video editor with a simple tool to personalise your video clips, and you’ll also be able to export to and save the videos and screenshots you create by pressing the Share button to a USB drive," a blog post explains. "In addition, this update will add an HDCP off option for capturing gameplay via HDMI, a feature we’ve previously said would come after launch.

"We recognise that some gamers want to record and share longer clips of their gameplay sessions, and we’re excited to deliver this option with PS4. There’s a lot more coming in this update as well, so stay tuned for more — there will be plenty in the update to excite everyone."

Pon43676d ago ShowReplies(2)
xX1NORM1Xx3676d ago

As much as I enjoy new features added to my consoles at this point in the life cycle I think xbox one and ps4 need stability to be successful what good is new feature after new feature if they don't work properly and crash constantly but would be good if they could assign more people to stabilising new features so we could get them quicker

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90°

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.

Profchaos8h ago(Edited 8h 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.

exputers4h ago

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

z2g1h ago

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

phoenixwing35m ago

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

H91h ago

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

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.

jznrpg16h 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.

Profchaos16h ago

Souls games will be like that players struggling make it harder

PassNextquestion15h ago(Edited 15h ago)

I think if used correctly it could work well

jambola11h 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
ChasterMies21d 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_looken20d ago

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

Cacabunga20d ago

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

just_looken20d 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-6420d 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_Long20d 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.

Einhander197220d 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.

FinalFantasyFanatic20d 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 20d ago
DivineHand12520d 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.

Joe91320d 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_Observer20d 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.

S2Killinit20d ago (Edited 20d 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.

Joe91320d 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.

S2Killinit20d 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.

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Christopher20d 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.

CrimsonWing6920d ago (Edited 20d 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.

S2Killinit20d 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_Mal20d ago (Edited 20d 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.

Christopher20d 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_looken20d 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

Einhander197220d ago (Edited 20d 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.

FinalFantasyFanatic20d 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.

romulus2320d ago

Correction, they have no issue playing good live service games

shinoff218320d 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.

S2Killinit20d ago (Edited 20d 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.

mastershredder20d 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.

crazyCoconuts20d ago

Headline truncated:
"... off a cliff"

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