Sony has just announced that the beta for its Update 4.0 shall come to its current generation gaming console, the PlayStation 4, in a few weeks time, which would bring significant changes to the platform.
While the update would be a welcome development to most PlayStation 4 gamers, some critics believe that it also means that Sony is simply buying time so that gamers do not get their hopes up high on the PlayStation 5.
Japanese gaming company Nintendo is about to launch its latest gaming platform, the NX, early next year, and that puts the pressure on Sony and Microsoft, to also release the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Two, respectively, soon thereafter.
The initial speculations have been saying that both the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Two would come out in 2018 but both Sony and Microsoft have yet to come out to confirm or deny the rumors.
So while the PlayStation 4 gamers are waiting for the next generation gaming console, it is best for Sony to come out with the PlayStation 4 Update 4.0.
Improving the user interface
One of the drawbacks that gamers have been complaining about the PlayStation 4 and its predecessor gaming consoles is its incredibly lacking interface.
Apparently, the PlayStation 4 Update 4.0 shall have a new user interface. It shall also have new game folders, trophy changes, and a lot more, notes the PlayStation Lifestyle.
Just like its previous updates on the gaming platform, Sony shall be initially releasing a beta program for the PlayStation 4 Update 4.0, reports the Game Informer.
It shall include some visual tweaks to the gaming platform’s main interface and quick menu, which is the screen that comes up when the gamer holds down the PlayStation button. More importantly, the PlayStation 4 Update 4.0 shall bring added functionality and ease-of-use features.
The Quick Menu and the Share Menu, which is used for editing, dispersing clips and screens, now only take up a portion of the gamer screen while he or she is playing. Players can also customize the Quick Menu and also use it to see the online status of friends. It can also be used as a shortcut to other areas that the player may want to go to while playing.
Gives more leeway for social media posts
Unlike before when gameplay video from the PlayStation 4 could only last for 10 seconds when uploaded on social media, Twitter, for example, being the most common case, players can now upload gameplay video clips up to 140 seconds on social media sites with the Update 4.0.
The process is made faster by the fact that the console already saves the last social network that the gamer has uploaded to.
The update has also enabled trophies to be seen even if the system is offline and players now have the option to see the name and information of hidden trophies, allowing them to compare trophy grosses with other gamers from their respective profiles.
As far as profiles are concerned, gamers can also add a background image to their profile. And the new game folders would be perfect for saved games and apps so the gamers can keep everything well-organized.
It also includes a new ‘Purchased’ tab in the gamer’s library and also provides new ways to sort through it.
While it has not announced yet the official release date of the PlayStation 4 Update 4.0, Sony said that the new update shall have more changes other than those previously announced.
The upcoming update to the PlayStation 4 is actually a response by Sony to the long-requested features of gamers for some kind of organizational tools to improve their efficiency in sorting the content of the platform’s home screen.
It would be like having a well-organized desktop in a PC and having such on the PlayStation 4 would at least make it easier for gamers to keep their favorite games front-and-center, notes Slash Gear.