PlayStation 5 s should be in for a future treat with a brand-new software beta test bringing about a slew of exciting features. Currently, these updates are only available to a select group of invited testers, but they foretell a hopeful future for the console, as many of the included features have long been requested by s themselves. From picture quality to quality-of-life, these changes should not only make the PS5 experience noticeably smoother, but all around more enjoyable (especially when playing with friends).
The PlayStation 5 didn't exactly have a stable start in 2020, and even though it will be turning three years old this November, it's still struggling to get back on its feet. Supply chain issues and a general lack of true current-gen, console-exclusive titles have sparked comparisons of the PS4's and the PS5's first two years. However, with these new features, it looks as though the latter may finally be heading in the right direction.
PS5 Will Finally Feature Discord Integration
At last, Discord will be available on the PlayStation 5. According to the PlayStation Blog, s will finally be able to connect to voice chats with their PC, Xbox, and mobile friends. They'll first need to merge s and open the Discord app on a phone or computer device, but from there, they'll be able to connect their PS5 to a voice chat and make use of the most crucial features, such as adjusting volume, muting, and disconnecting the call. With cross-platform gaming becoming increasingly popular in multiplayer spaces, this feature is a huge step forward - and one that will likely prove most popular among PS5 s.
PS5 Will VRR At 1440p For Compatible Games
The PlayStation 5 will also introduce new Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) options for compatible titles. This setting, which should prove useful for PS5 exclusives in 2023, will now adjust refresh rates for screens with 1440p output, allowing for a smoother image with more frames and less input lag. In conjunction with this feature, Sony has also "made some updates to the parameters of the PS5 console's 1440p output test" to enable more s to benefit from VRR. The compatibility of s' HDMI devices can be tested directly from the settings menu, where the VRR option can also be adjusted to fit personal preferences.
DualSense Controllers For The PS5 Can Update Wirelessly
The PlayStation 5's DualSense controllers will also be receiving a useful software change in the near future, as they will conveniently (and fittingly) be able to update without connecting to the console itself.
PlayStation Blog writes that some may need to use their USB cable one last time to activate the feature, but before long, everyone will be able to take advantage of wireless updates for their DualSense, which will become wands in Hogwarts Legacy.
New Social Features Are Coming To The PS5
Besides the long-awaited integration of Discord, the PlayStation 5 will also benefit from numerous new social features to make sharing the experience with others much smoother and more accessible. s will soon be able to see their "Friends Who Play" for any given game, which will display which s own the title, which are currently online, and which are currently in said game. Clicking onto friends' profiles from here will display additional interaction options. Plus, s will also be allowed to their friends' games directly from voice chat, which will make partying up easier than ever before.
The software updates will make capturing and sharing the game more prevalent, as PlayStation 5 s will be able to send a Share Screen request and/or start streaming their gameplay to a friend straight from their profile. Capturing and ing gameplay clips (especially using the PS5's Tik-Tok-esque Bits editing feature) will also become drastically more convenient, as s will be able to manually clips to the PlayStation app directly from the console's media gallery. They can then be shared with friends and social media in conjunction with the app's auto- feature.
Additionally, Voice Command-activated game capture is being previewed by US and UK beta testers - meaning it could soon be as easy as saying "Hey PlayStation, capture that" to save the most memorable moments to the media gallery. s will be able to adjust the default duration of a clip or set different lengths in the settings, all of which can be triggered by Voice Command in-game. They'll also be able to start and stop manual PlayStation 5 recordings using their voice, too.
PS5 Will Add Quality Of Life Features
Besides handy new social features, s will also benefit from several quality-of-life changes to the PlayStation 5. Although the DualSense controllers aren't compatible with the PS4, its data can now be transferred to the PS5, allowing s to retain their progress from any compatible games they played on the current-gen console. This also means that data can be transferred from one PS5 to another, either during console set-up or in the settings menu at any time moving forward using a local network or a LAN cable.
Additionally, s will be able to customize their game libraries and even their gameplay experiences for each individual title. For example, games can be sorted by filters (such as PS VR compatibility), which will make creating gamelists much more manageable. PlayStation 5 s will also be allowed to set preferences for multiplayer sessions, deciding who can and can't specific games. Recently, Sony reinvented the PS5 controller for disabled players, but further steps will be taken towards the console's accessibility with improvements to the Screen Reader, which will now include more detailed navigation.
PlayStation Blog writes that this is a look at "some" of the features, and so there are likely even more exciting updates for s to look forward to. But with these changes alone, the future looks bright for the PS5. Social features like Discord integration and faster game capture/sharing will make it easier to share fun experiences with friends, and improvements to the primary experience like VRR compatibility and data transfers will make life that much more convenient. It's unclear when these new software updates will officially become available, but with any luck, the PlayStation 5 will see them roll out in the next few months.
Source: PlayStation Blog, PlayStation/YouTube
