Digital Foundry: Our first look at the PlayStation 5 user interface - and it could be a game-changer

Cards, Activities and the Control Centre have the potential to change the way we play.

[RazzerRedux]

"and it could be a game-changer"

You do, in fact, use the interface to change games so....

[UnSelf]

heres an agree

edit: an n4g article about a eurogamer article about a DF article. Jesus Christ

[averagejoe26]

There is no N4G article. And DF is Eurogamer.

[UnSelf]

There's an n4g.com

Theres a eurogamer.net

There's a digitalfoundry.net

We can play semantics all day

[Ju]

DF is part of it, but it's not eurogamer. Leadbetter and his team is DF, while eurogamer is a whole network.

[SamTheGamer]

Inception.. 🤨

[Dragonscale]

So what? Does it really matter fgs.

[RaiderNation]

LOL well played!

In all honesty, I HATE the term "game-changer" and I think it's one of the most overused terms in video gaming. I'm not sure if the term really applies here either but I do like what we've been shown so far regarding the UI.

[Mr_cheese]

Agree! Same with "take it to the next level"

[NXFather]

I mean only one of us really did it. Not talking about games. Not playing no games.

[gamer7804]

Lol nice. Basically a UI should have as much functionality until it gets in the way. Basically stop short of that

[RaiderNation]

That's why I've actually come to really appreciate the Switch's UI. In the beginning I hated how barebones it was but now I actually appreciate it's simplicity.

[NecrumOddBoy]

Razz, is technically correct; the best kind of correct!

[ClayRules2012]

LOL. Well said, Razzer!

Digital Foundry...please, just stop!🤦🏼‍♂️

[Bathyj]

Hey, I made this same joke weeks ago. 😜

[RazzerRedux]

lol...I swear I didn't steal it, but I guess I owe you royalties for usage anyway.

Hmmm, got change for a quarter? ;-)

[Bathyj]

Ha. It's fine mate. Everybody gets one.

[purple101]

Hahaa. That's a quality comment if I ever saw one.

[Bronbron92]

Fantastic move!

[Software_Lover]

Every week we have “a game changer”.

I wish people would stop being so dramatic with these titles (in all regards)

[Saijahn]

Both consoles are offering things never seen in gaming consoles before so yeah it's groundbreaking stuff going on 🤷🏽‍♂️

[AriesBear]

Not the u.i. really no one cares about it. It's nice to have but no one in the history of gaming has ever said "why did you not buy a PS4? The user interface is just not cute. Yeah no. Remember all these sites get a kickback for praising the consoles. It's just business PR

[RaidenBlack]

@AriesBear
The UI may never be a selling point of a game console.
But an unintuitive and crap UI will plague your experience for days and may also cause you to question your purchase decision. The software matters to drive the hardware.

[EverydayJoe]

@Aries in the PS3 era I heard that many times when the Xfans were so wet on the Blades UI.. I think they still are.

[Christopher]

I'm still a huge fan of the blades UI.

[Mr Pumblechook]

Microsoft's new look Xbox dashboard says 'Hi.'

https://n4g.com/news/237911...

[crazyCoconuts]

No on is calling that a game changer, even with exaggeration mode on

[SierraGuy]

LMAO...looks like they copied ps4 dash 🤭.

Finally after all these years.

[bajny77]

Can't see any difference.same old clustered screen

[Ju]

Seriously? How is this remotely similar? Those aren't tiles. The dashboard never had any interactive elements, or activities or anything else where you can attach functionality to a game. The only similarity is some colorful rectangular like shapes. But that's where that ends

[purple101]

That is a copy of PS4! the card rollerdex on top of recently played games.

ok does look better and the icons are bigger than what we've had on PS4 but we have been playing like this for years.

Xbox any got rid of their stupid Windows 10 tiles because although they looked good.. it was a nightmare to use it was like going into a supermarket every time and they've moved your favourite items to a different I'll and you have to search for them. And don't tell me about updated where they moved them on purpose! Grrrr

[alb1899]

For me Quick Resume with multiple games is the best feature of the OS of next generation and PS5 won't have it.

[Ju]

..because it doesn't need it. You can jump into a game in different places faster then the X can resume old games.

[RedDevils]

That look shit though. Look like bunch of ads cramp together.

[crazyCoconuts]

@Saijahn I think we all know which console is largely just iterative and which console strives to stand out as next gen with new innovations and features.

[darthv72]

Yes... the Series X towers above all. Even in the skyline: https://d2skuhm0vrry40.clou...

[Christopher]

@darth72: Not going to lie, that would be an amazing addition to FlightSim as an inside jest of sorts.

[AriesBear]

Lol so true it's ridiculous. My fave part was "when you get stuck in a game you can look at the cards" or just Google it. no one in the history has praised the console because of the UI. people care about the games and innovation not about the navigation screen. It's never sold consoles. It's a UI. Game changer!

[SamTheGamer]

“people care about the games and innovation not about the navigation screen”

Trying to find out games for XBOX

[nickanasty206]

Now that this is out of the way, would love to get more deep dives into the exclusives coming out. Specifically Godfall, because even though i do have it pre-ordered, i feel like i don't know enough about the game and may very well cancel the pre-order if further deep dives don't impress me.

[Stanjara]

Why didn't you wait for reviews then?
I mean seriously...

[nickanasty206]

Mainly because i can cancel the preorder or just return it. Money doesn't come out of my account until launch day, so i can decide by then as long as review embargos are released before day one. I wanted to have all my stuff in order at Best Buy so i can just do curbside pickup and can avoid going into a crowded store, so pre-ordering was my best bet in doing that. Mainly trying to reduce my exposure to Covid for the most part with the early pre-order move. That's understandable i hope.

[Stanjara]

As I see it you don't know what you are buying.
Also, that game will be 2 moths from release on a discount and will be 8/10.
That is still good, but nothing you'll miss out.

[nickanasty206]

Definitely taking a gamble for sure. My intention is to buy a new next gen game that has co-op and this does. I believe its the only PS exclusive that does coop that is somewhat appealing.

[Thunder_G0d_Bane]

Dude don’t pre order games you don’t know much about. You’re caught up in a hype and you need to level out your thoughts.

I plan on getting a ps5 day one with miles morales and for the ps plus collection a bunch of games in there I haven’t played. But that’s about it. All the other games coming out that I’m interested in like cyberpunk I’m getting for my pc and I know what I’m getting. Witcher 3 was my game of the generation.

Oh and it’s worth adding I don’t have any of these things pre ordered lol I’ll get em closer to the time.

[nickanasty206]

Witcher 3 was fantastic. With Godfall, like i said, was looking for a fun next-gen exclusive game on my PS5 that i can play with friends. From my understanding, Godfall is the only game i know of that is next gen and will do Co-op. If i'm wrong, definitely let me know, i just want something i can play with my buddies on day one. I don't have any friends who have had playstation in the past, so generally have only been able to play online on my Xbox or PC with buddies. This time around i have two other buddies who actually got a PS5 pre-order, so i'm looking to hopefully be able to connect with them online in a new game. Usually my Playstation is just the single player warrior console for exclusives, so i'm really looking to find something i can play to connect with my buddies online thats fun and isn't just another generic FPS multiplat game.

[purple101]

I'm getting dirt 5 and ghost of tushima for my ps4pro. (I play 1080p not 4kthough)

Will get ps5 when gran Turismo 7 and ratchet and clank are out. Also by then...Spiderman will be cheap..

Plus I need to save up for a 4k TV etc..

Im looking forward to my last 2 this-gen games.. whilst equally looking forward to next gen games.

So although dirt 5 and Ghost will have a next-gen patch... neither are true next gen
.

To say I'm excited for both is an understatement.

[purple101]

Think there working right up to last minute on that one. Also it runs on unreal engine 4.2 not unreal 5. So it's not truly next gen.

But if you want an idea of what it's like to play a pc game on ultra max settings.. this would be it.

[Profchaos]

Seriously it's the most covered game so far I've only seen a few brief snips front Spiderman im all in on that

[Anomander]

How is Godfall exclusive again? I can play it on my PC?

[nickanasty206]

Specifically between the consoles is what i meant to say. But you do put out a good point. PC will probably be a better place to play this. Maybe ill just cancel my preorder for the PS5 version and just get this on PC. Surely it won't be 70 dollars as well.

[Anomander]

I just checked the Epicstore and It's $59.99 for the base game. I am willing to be it goes on sale first as well.

[SullysCigar]

No sh!t it's a game changer. So many quality of life enhancements, blistering speed, easy navigation, finally some understanding of progress towards trophies (but it's so much more!), PIP with your friends, speech to text message via the controller mic, the list goes on - really impressed by all this. And it's pretty lol

[StormSnooper]

My thoughts exactely. I was pleasantly surprised. The PIP and voice chat through Dualsense blew me away.

[crazyCoconuts]

I think it's great - new UI really hammers home that it's a next gen console, not just a processor/GPU upgrade. I was overly optimistic about the Create button - thought it was likely Dreams would somehow be integrated into the system. Seems like they should do something there - the Dreams investment was massive and it's too amazing a creation to simply let it fade away like any other game does over time...

[SullysCigar]

I'm going to check out all the spooky Dreams games in VR tomorrow night - can't wait!

[BlackDoomAx]

Since dreams has been announced, i told that it would be very smart and almost mandatory to have it integrated with the PS5. Missed opportunity if it won't.

[Mr_Luke]

"In theory, the sky's the limit, but certainly in the here and now, the focus is on easily accessing more content within a particular title - and maximising the return from what may be a limited amount of gameplay time. But the good news is that it's all wrapped in a high quality, polished menu system that will be familiar to PlayStation 4 gamers, while evoking memories of the slick PS3 user interface."

I like it and i'd like to try this UI! I can't wait for my PS5, about 1 month left :D

[lukasmain]

It's phenominal. No doubt there will be more to show.

[Kavorklestein]

Your spelling is not.

[WillyC009]

I genuinely couldn’t care less what Digital Foundry has to say. Better options out there to get opinions/information about these things.

[ApocalypseShadow]

The cool thing is that Sony is giving opinions and optional information directly from the console.

I think they started integrating features like that because there were websites like game trailers with misleading or fake videos of PS3. Comparisons of graphics with bad video captures. Game sites like Gamespot that had reviews for games like Ratchet and Clank. And reviewing the game lower because it had "too much variety." Sony is letting PlayStation gamers see the games and get actual information from the company, your gamer friends and the system. Nearly wiping out all the negative nonsense out there.

Also, my guess is besides watching a friend play a game in Pip, I believe the new HD camera will allow you to see your friends in Pip. I don't need it personally. But cool feature.

[Jericho1337]

Hmmm it’s more that they’re reporting information the way they want you to see it, meaning there could be some smoke and mirror practices going on.

That being said, the UI looks absolutely fantastic. Fair play to Sony.

[ApocalypseShadow]

Jericho, you've seen the lies and misinformation. Sony directly giving gamers information squashed most of the nonsense. PS5 makes it that you can bypass all the garbage out there all together if you decide to.

Must be working. Sony destroyed their competitor in every single way. No amount of bribes or advertising could stop PS4 selling.

What do you think Gamestop employees are going to say to up sale Xbox over PS5 with that deal? Some of them employees will be spreading fud guaranteed just to make commission.

[Challengerscatpack]

Looks good!

[Bruh]

Presuming the PS5 has a Quick Resume feature similar to the Series X/S, the PIP features are so damn good. I'd be amazing to PIP say COD Warzone after I die and then switch into another title for a bit and then come back to COD whenever I need to. I hope we see more of the media and multi-tasking stuff, idk why they are holding that information this close to launch but whatever lol

[anast]

Way nicer than the SX UI.

[Phantom68]

Love it!

[S2Killinit]

How come the ORIGINAL article on the PlayStation 5 User Interface didnt make it to the top despite being a “hotter” news item? It just faded away... anyone?

[SullysCigar]

It's still there, but it's very odd. It has LOADS more comments on original article and everyone would have clicked the video... A bit suspect this Eurogamer/DF has more heat suddenly.

[Christopher]

Comments aren't the leading drive in heat generation. DF article has way more unique user click activity than the official source.

[S2Killinit]

I see. That makes sense. Still strange though considering the number of clicks it got and is still getting out in the wild compared to the digital foundary. But then numbers dont lie.

[KingOfArcadia]

the idea that a snazzy UI is a 'game changer' quietly implies that gamers are idiots

[RangerWalk267]

How is it a game changer? The Xbox One launched with the " snap " feature. I would watch NFL with picture in picture snapped in the corner of the screen. Voice to text has been a part of Xbox one since launch. Adding attachments to your messages has been there since launch. Knowing how close you are to getting a certain trophy (achievement) had been there since launch. I'm glad these quality of life features have been added to PlayStation though.

We're getting close to next gen, boys and girls. My Xbox Series X will be here on November 10th... Followed by my PlayStation 5 on November 12th. I'm starting to get pumped about it all.

[Christopher]

1. Snap is now where?
2. Voice to text requires Kinect, which is where?
3. Adding attachments is on PS4 since day 1 as well, but also not lauded here.
4. Achievement tracker was not at release but added in 2016.

I agree some of these things have existed, but they were removed. Some of them rely heavily on developer support as well (achievement/trophy tracking). I'm happy with the potential of the PS5 UI and I do like what I see, but I also recognize that a lot is reliant on actual support and maintaining those features that were previously taken away.

[FallenAngel1984]

It’s funny how Sony has you doing so many things with your friends such as revamped party system and picture in picture gameplay vids

Meanwhile Nintendo won’t even allow you to message your friends on Switch

[Father__Merrin]

Wow activity cards picture in picture help and watch your friends it's truly next gen no other console or even pc offers this. The activity cards is extra things to do on top of trophies. Xbox dash is same across xbox one S, xbox one X, xbox series s/x there's nothing new