Seriously Sony, when are PS5 themes finally going to arrive?

Sony still allows players to customize their PS3 and PS4, yet PS5 themes are still non-existent in 2024 and it is about time they arrived.

[Snookies12]

Also seriously miss being able to hold down the PS button on the controller to turn off the system/controller. There are some very odd design choices when it comes to the PS5 UI.

[Profchaos]

I so miss that it was simple and made sense I could do it with my eyes closed and was handy in the event the tv was turned off before the PlayStation 4 was.

In fact I miss that whole quick menu side bar we used to have

[boing1]

You can also hold PS button for longer to turn the controller off. My beef is with DS Edge settings, Why, for the love of god, I have to go through such a hassle to assign profiles to shortcut buttons? So many clicks. I'm playing more than three games. Either allow me to assign and auto-load it with the game, or give me some kind of quick access to all of my profiles.

[EvertonFC]

What it's NOT simple the other way 🤣😂 I too can do it with my eyes closed in 2 seconds.

Press PS button
Scroll down then 3 icons to the right
Double press x
Done

[EvertonFC]

It's NOT exactly hard doing it the other way, it's like 2 seconds ffs

[frostypants]

I love the PS5 but almost everything about the system UI/UX is a step backwards not just from the PS4 but the PS3 as well. I don't understand why so many things needlessly changed from the PS4, and not for the better.

[Sgt_Slaughter]

The PS4 took some steps back from the PS3 UI/feature wise too, it seems they can't help but make things innovative while leaving ironed out QOL changes they did previously

[TheEroica]

It also doesn't have a great library worth investing in yet.... PS5 is a paper tiger. Great sales but not really a great generation so far.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

I still have trouble finding stuff on PSN, I think the PS4 UI and Web PSN was peak UI design.

[isarai]

It would need a complete overhaul of the UI because there's literally nothing available to be "themed" every piece open to artistic design is determined by what game/app you have highlighted.

[Eonjay]

I really like having each game and app change the theme. To address what you are saying they would just have to disable all the game/app and replace it with a static or scrolling background. It's doable. I would expect to see it soon.

[EvertonFC]

Same as, although I did like the dynamic themes.

[ravens52]

They should overhaul the UI. I always loved getting an update foe a different UI, makes it feel fresh and new

[Einhander1972]

Probably never, PS5 has a dynamic theme system that switches the theme to what ever application or games theme the developers have created. Every PS5 game has it's own theme, as well as every menu in the UI has a custom dynamic theme they can each have their own music and be animated.

Of course people are going to complain, they even complain when they get free things. But the truth is the new system is way more advanced and way better.

[purple101]

Yep even plays music associated with the game when you leave the window highlighted in games menu, for instance hover on miles morales a hip hop beat plays

Pure class.

[Einhander1972]

Yea, exactly.

[ModsDoBetter]

A good number of games don't take advantage of this, unfortunately.

[Profchaos]

Ive honestly disliked that since the days of the PSP where I first saw it when you hover over a game and the tv speakers were to loud it would blare whatever the games theme was. I found it incredibly annoying for gta v as a example

[Einhander1972]

Profchaos

You can disable it in settings.

[ModsDoBetter]

Dumb dumbs downvoting facts. 😂

[Profchaos]

It can be argued there way more dynamic themes but the UI is subjective and not always better as other have highlighted the simple action of turning off the console by holding the PS button and selecting power off was better than sliding to the end of the quick nav bar.

Starting music was easier on the PS4 while playing and selecting Spotify playlists on the quick pop out slide on PS4. The music volume control was also with the music you wanted on the ps5 it's in two sections.

The PS4 UI told you what your friends were up to and showed their trophy unlocks when you powered on the system it was actually fun to see people race towards a platinum this isn't in the ps5 UI like at all

The PS4 had folders I used to sort my psvr1 and PS2 emulation games into these to keep them away from my normal games along with a folder for games i had digitally then physically which I can't do on ps5 the filter doesn't even really allow you to narrow your selection to psVR2 games on the ps5 yet.

I have no major gripes with the UI on ps5 but my preference is still the PS4 and it's ui which felt like an evolution of the PS3 and it's superb xmb.

I'm not saying the PS4 was perfect it was hard to find old games in your library compared to the ps5 and it's apps section but all in all the system seemed to be more fluid things were where you expected them to be.

[Einhander1972]

I mean, this topic is about themes. I don't disagree that the PS4 had some great features, but the PS5 dynamic themes are more advanced than the single theme system on the PS4.

"It can be argued there way more dynamic themes but the UI is subjective and not always better as other have highlighted the simple action of turning off the console by holding the PS button and selecting power off was better than sliding to the end of the quick nav bar."

The quick nav bar is customizable, power is the first option on my PS5, you can also remove icons and add others that are not turned on by default like the network test can be on the quick nav so you don't have to go into settings.

"The PS4 had folders I used to sort my psvr1 and PS2 emulation games into these to keep them away from my normal games along with a folder for games i had digitally then physically which I can't do on ps5 the filter doesn't even really allow you to narrow your selection to psVR2 games on the ps5 yet."

The PS5 does have folders, and you can sort the games however you want, though they did move the folders to the game library.

[jambola]

Actually that's your opinion
It's not the truth
What was free btw?

[Einhander1972]

PlayStation gives free stuff away all the time, sometimes even games.

Recently there was Season of Play (people complained), you can get free collectables with PlayStation Stars (people complain) They cave away free avatars and collectables with their year end wrap up (didn't see anyone complaining).

That's just stuff that happened in the last month.

[jambola]

I'm kinda blown away that I have to explain this but
when when you say "the truth is the new system is way more advanced and way better."
and then I say "that's your opinion not the truth"
I'm only commenting on the part where you mentioned it being the truth

[SyntheticForm]

The customization took a step back. It's not "way better" in terms of that - it's objectively worse.

You can play up how the SSD loads up each game's respective theme with musical accompaniment, but that's not what people want. Most people don't appreciate these changes and simply want their ability to apply themes like you could with PS4.

People want better customization, not to be condescendingly told that 'Well, this is actually more advanced on a technical level.'

They don't care; they want the customization.

[Sgt_Slaughter]

I love when people dismiss an opinion with the "people are going to complain" excuse

Just because you got what you like doesn't mean there can't be improvements made, or other's don't like the same thing you do.

[gold_drake]

never
they'd need to completely redo their UI

i want them too but i understand why they're not comimg.

[Terry_B]

First time I see anyone caring for something like that.

[ModsDoBetter]

Really?

It's been a highly requested feature since the PS5 launch. Does seem a bit strange to go one step forward and two steps back in terms of UI.

Limited customisation and getting rid of the folder system from PS4 is such a bizarre choice.

[MrNinosan]

It's been "highly requested" by Xbox fans and trolls.
Most Playstation 5 users don't hang around in the menus, drooling over a theme, they're playing games.

But if you look for criticism, you will always find it, whatever you're looking for.

[goldwyncq]

How sad that anyone who criticizes Playstation gets automatically labeled as a troll by fanboys here.

Blind fanboyism is how you get crappy services and products.

[Einhander1972]

The new theme is way more advanced, it uses the SSD's speed to ensure that it's can seamlessly transition between the different themes for each game and app.

And PS5 does have folders, they are in the game library where you have fast access to everything.

[jambola]

They removed and made a lot of things more inconvenient
Themes are gone, checking updates,/patch notes is gone
A seperate application for friends messages and capture gallery just gone
And it's been a while since I checked so correct me if I'm wrong
But I'm pretty sure you can no longer have all your games in the home menu either

[Einhander1972]

Jambola, you don't actually have a PS5 do you? You are saying things that are just not true. And many of the things you are saying are misinformation that I have seen people say repeatedly in other places.

"Themes are gone, checking updates,/patch notes is gone"

Themes are now dynamic, and patch notes are completely unchanged, the developers have to support it, just like on PS4, and they made checking for updates easier just press the Option Button on the game icon, you can even update games in the library too.

"A separate application for friends messages and capture gallery just gone"

The Media Gallery is accessed by pressing the Create Button on the controller, and the friends app is separate to make it more assessable and available in many different areas, and I belive you can pin groups now which is what you want to do when in games with friends. And they added features like being able to watch videos onscreen, I regularly use this feature when I miss something an NPC said so I capture the recent gameplay as a video and watch it, or make a screenshot of a puzzle solution or something and pin it on screen. Heck you can stream your game as a video to your friend and vice versa when you play multiplayer games and each pin each others screen on your own screen. As well as watch and pin other videos and streaming content. And you also have Discord access now.

"I'm pretty sure you can no longer have all your games in the home menu either"

The home menu has your recently played games and you can pin games to it, folders have been moved to the game library.

The PS5 UI has so many great new features that people don't even realize they can do, like cards which can have tips even video tips you can pin or use cards to load directly into your last saved game or cards to load directly into multiplayer.

The PS5's UI is way more advanced than the PS4 UI and has a lot more features than what are missing.

[Terry_B]

I never changed my PS3 or PS4 theme and think its a obsolete thing. I use the console to play games..not to look at something I like

[ModsDoBetter]

"It's been "highly requested" by Xbox fans and trolls."

What a dumb statement to make.
It really is crazy the lengths you will go to blame any justifiable critique on fanboys in an attempt to downplay it.

Anyone I know, my friend group were all primarily PS players through PS1-4 (a few have jumped to PC) all have the same consensus: the PS5 UI customisation is terrible. Folders and themes are highly requested.

There are countless reviews out there of the system when it launched talking about lack of features including but not limited to: folders and themes.

Were those review outlets trolls and xbox fanboys too when they criticise Sony? I bet my left nut thaf you hold them in high regard if it was an Xbox criticism.

You're wild if you spend your days crying over your chosen piece of gamer plastic.

[ModsDoBetter]

"Themes are now dynamic, and patch notes are completely unchanged, the developers have to support it"

Cap.
I have loads of games installed that don't support it. Only around half have music and that is a FACT. These tiles are no replacement for themes.

You'd think with all the money grubbing Sony has been doing lately (Terrible rushed PC port of TLOU, remasters of a few years old games, 40% PS Plus price increase) they'd be all over themes since they could capitalise on them.

[SyntheticForm]

To be honest, I myself am not really bothered by the PS5's stubborn and somewhat constrained user interface. It's sleek, modern, functional, and it works quite well. What I'm taken aback by are some of the comments here telling people who desire a higher level of customization, particularly in terms of themes, that they're just Xbox groupies or trolls without a genuine grievance.

This is utterly asinine; people love customization and personalization. When you take a feature away or simply choose to not include it in the next iteration, you're going to have people who make a clamor for said feature, especially one of this nature.

Unbelievable responses here.

[ModsDoBetter]

Bring back folders & themes!

[MrNinosan]

The new "folders" works way better than before, and I use them all the time.

[jambola]

You're the same moron who thinks any criticism about Sony is from trolls and Xbox fanboys
Hard to believe s word you say

[Demetrius]

Turning on my ps4 I get hella nostalgia using the UI, that sound 😌 I like the ps5 UI as well, guess it's been a min cause I don't usually think of a themed one, but it was dope when I used the horizon screen one on my ps4, definitely don't get tired of hearing that 1 😌

[jambola]

It's already shitty how many features the ps5 just removed or made more inconvenient
Games are obviously still great but, why are things going backwards?

[DivineHand125]

I know this feature seems to be very important to many gamers however I would like to see friend activities on the explore tab like on the PS4.

[jambola]

I hate how many times I can say the words "I wish it had this feature the ps4 had"
too many things removed outright or just made more inconvenient

[Exthun]

Keep more resources for developers, themes consume memory.

[Barlos]

I really don't care. I don't spend that long on my PS5's UI, and it looks fine to me as it is.

[Murdability]

Hoping for a ps2 theme over here

[P_Bomb]

I’ve asked for them, but have also kinda accepted that they aren’t coming.

[Gregero]

lol "we don't need it" - everyone who knows its a feature missing but wants to lick Sony's asshole cuz the PD team is gonna go to their house and high-five them.

[frostypants]

Around the same time viable profile controls show up. I.E. never. Seriously, the master profile should be able to have full control over what other profiles on the system have access to. Would be such a relatively easy add too.

[L1ghtz4lyfe]

Just bring it back…. Like why are features being taken away Sony?

[xenz]

A feature nobody cares about. And people saying PS3 had better UI need to get their brain checked for damage.

[VariantAEC]

The XMB was a nice UI.
It was fast and neat. The only knock against it that makes sense to me is that you couldn't rearrange the columns in an order that best suited you as an end user.

PS4's UI is very similar in function to the PS3 UI and PS5's is pretty similar to PS4's UI.

PS/One and PS2's UI were also pretty similar to each other. The largest UI divergence was with either PS3, PS4, and PS Vita. No matter which of those three consoles you had all had vastly different UIs, but the PS Vita and PS4 settings menus were similar fundamentally with distinct coats of paint on top.
Looking at PS Vita onwards, PS has been treading towards a unified UI design language with different features between generations.

Themes are missed, but not essential. I really don't care if themes come back even though I do miss them a little bit. As someone who uses PS5 to play games it does more that is important to running games well.

Personally, I hoped PS5 would be PS3-like with respect to media functionality and PC-like with respect to gaming performance. Only one of those hopes was fulfilled and the other, while missed, wasn't important for gaming. PCs still struggle to keep up with PS5 which isn't about PC HW as much but is still nice to see as PS5 turned 3 a couple months ago.