Information on the PS4 UI that was divulged at the US PlayStation 4 review event that happened this weekend was meant to be embargoed for Wednesday – but that embargo was broken. Press were given free reign to deliver as much or as little information as they liked.
IGN’s done a pretty comprehensive report on the PS4’s UI. Here’s the interesting stuff:
You can sign in on your PS4 using the PS eye, similar to the way that you would on the Xbox One with Kinect. When you originally set up the console, you can calibrate it with three angled shots of your face, while you hold the DualShock 4. Hold up the controller when you switch the console on after that, and it’ll recognise you and sign in.
Also like the Xbox One, the PS4 allows you to multitask, running multiple apps and services at the same time, which you can switch using the Home button. A double-tap on the home button allow quick switching between the last two used apps. Unfortunately, you can’t snap two apps side-by-side as you can on Microsoft’s console.
The new chat and messaging is cross-platform between PS4 and Vita – but will also work across smartphones and tablets that have the PlayStation app installed. You can party chat with up to 8 people. You can add 200 people to your PSN friends list, and choose whether or not to share your real name with them, distinguishing between internet friends and real friends.
There’s been a bit of an overhaul to the trophy system, in that they’re now graded by rarity as well as colour; so a rare gold trophy would be worth more digital penis swinging than a common platinum. Trophies can also be used to earn digital in-game items.
We’ve already told you that you’ll be able to start playing your PS4 games pretty soon after starting the download or install, but some games allow you to choose which component of the game you’d like to start with. Call of Duty: Ghosts, for example, allows you start with the multiplayer so you can jump in t that sooner, if you choose.
As for video and content sharing, it all sounds pretty positive. The PS4 automatically records the last 15 minutes of gameplay that can be edited on the console and shared tu Facebook and Twitter. Unfortunately, these videos can’t be exported for editing, but you can stream to UStream and Twitch without limitation.
The best bit of news though, is that the YUI is reportedly really quick, fluid and intuitive; everything the PS3’s XMB wasn’t.
Last Updated: November 12, 2013
Vampyre Squirrel
November 12, 2013 at 13:05
Damnit Geoff… good article BUT… yes there’s a BUT (not butt)… your spelling was awesome for a few days… not it looks like you’re trolling 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 12, 2013 at 13:12
*now.
Airborne
November 12, 2013 at 13:16
*nooit?
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 12, 2013 at 13:16
That’s what she said :/
ToshZA
November 12, 2013 at 13:17
I’m guessing you had “first hand” experience? 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 12, 2013 at 13:18
There are two types of men – those who masturbate & those who lie about not masturbating. hehe
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
November 12, 2013 at 13:19
Wise words sir… wise words indeed.
ToshZA
November 12, 2013 at 13:27
…
Sageville
November 12, 2013 at 13:27
(Knowing nod…)
Similar to Console Gamers – those who love the PS4 & those who lie about loving the PS4….
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
November 12, 2013 at 13:42
Or those that hate the Xbone and those that lie about hating the boner….
Fnuik
November 12, 2013 at 13:41
I don’t masturbate often, but when I do, I use woman.
TiMsTeR1033
November 12, 2013 at 13:42
hookers?
Fnuik
November 12, 2013 at 13:42
haha mmmm don’t think my wife would approve of being called a hooker 😉
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
November 12, 2013 at 13:42
“Woman” masturbates you? Is that what you call your palm? hehehe
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 12, 2013 at 13:43
“Not now woman, I have a handache!”
John's (JJ's) ????
November 12, 2013 at 13:52
Aka carpal tunnel syndrome
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
November 12, 2013 at 13:46
Naw. Been up since 3 with “the death” though.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
November 12, 2013 at 13:49
The Death? Is that code for swine flu?
Vampyre Squirrel
November 12, 2013 at 13:51
Damn Henly… maybe you should have that looked at
ToshZA
November 12, 2013 at 13:53
By his local herbalist. Specify, you don’t want to inflict western culture on the poor boy. You’ll make him feel unwelcome.
Vampyre Squirrel
November 12, 2013 at 13:57
My apologies, didn’t mean to do that.
Go to your local herbalist Henly.
ToshZA
November 12, 2013 at 13:58
Master Squirrel is wise. Young grasshopper with “the death” would do well to heed his words.
John's (JJ's) ????
November 12, 2013 at 13:13
That profile pic is not you! Lies!
Also, should we start calling you Henry now?
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 12, 2013 at 13:26
Maybe Henly just until we’re sure.
John's (JJ's) ????
November 12, 2013 at 13:43
Haha. I vote for calling Geoff Henly
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
November 12, 2013 at 13:46
I hate you lacists.
Vampyre Squirrel
November 12, 2013 at 13:49
Don’t be a hater Henly
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 12, 2013 at 13:51
lol
John's (JJ's) ????
November 12, 2013 at 13:56
You know, I remember when Henly was still an understanding guy.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
November 12, 2013 at 13:18
Graded trophies? By the gaming gods…
The funny thing is that when achievements and trophies first came out, I was sceptical. In fact, I hated the idea. Gaming should be organic, you shouldn’t feel guided or coerced into actions. Yet now… it feels weird not to have some stupid silly trophy pop up – informing me that I did some random and stupid task.
Sigh!
Brian Murphy
November 12, 2013 at 13:25
I still hate the idea. The only game I’ve ever…ever…looked at achievements for is World of Warcraft, and that’s simply because…well, let’s face it, there’s more to do in that game than probably the top 10 or 20 games combined right now. And it’s hard to keep track of everything that’s doable in WoW (Seasonal events, raids, pvp, dungeons, scenarios, questing, exploration, rare items, rare creatures etc……)
But in non-mmo scenarios? You get trophies for beating a fuckin level….what the fuck? You get trophies for completing tutorials ffs. What the hell… It’s like, you need to be rewarded consistently, throughout the game….just to play the goddamn game you paid for. Makes absolutely no sense.
If people are so desperate for being rewarded for their endeavors…go out and start a fucking garden. I swear, it’s the ‘everyone deserves an award’ mentality, exaggerated to hyperbolic levels.
SpookyMossel
November 12, 2013 at 13:27
In Rise of the Triad (2013) you get an achievement for switching the music to the original 1995 soundtrack! “Dat Nostalgia”
Brian Murphy
November 12, 2013 at 13:32
I just played and conquered the original Rise of the Triad when it came out in 1995, should I get an achievement for that? lol.
CodeName Tailgunner
November 12, 2013 at 13:27
Some funny achievements are really cool though. Like the one you get in cookie clicker for selling your grandma, really adds to the humour
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
November 12, 2013 at 13:28
lol, the worst kind of trophy is the online ones, especially really stupid ones that want you to get Level 50 (in a game where the multiplayer sucks ass). Story progression trophies are also idiotic, but I like the hidden ones that focus on easter eggs, the more obscure the better.
That way you can see who in your friend list has serious mental problems. Because only the truly insane would hunt them.
Sageville
November 12, 2013 at 13:30
I think the best achievements are the hidden ones, they need more of those.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
November 12, 2013 at 13:33
I agree, I could do less of the stupid multiplayer ones and definitely less of story progression trophies. I mean what’s the point, you just finished a checkpoint. Did you really deserve a trophy for it? It’s like giving out gold stars to kids for just attending school.
Now finishing a game on hard or extreme, that’s a worthy achievement, or finding a hidden easter egg.
The grindy ones (collect 10 000 shit) are just lazy. I definitely despise trophies that want me to collect random crap. I rarely if ever do them. I think I’ve only bothered to do them for Saints Row 4, but I really wanted the platinum for some reason.
Looking back, I’m not sure why? Maybe I need to be medicated 😮
Brian Murphy
November 12, 2013 at 13:35
I would say it depends on exactly how ‘hard’ or ‘extreme’ is. Now, if we’re talking maximum difficulty on a game like Stalker…then yes, a trophy is warranted. But…if it’s CoD on hard….hell, you can do that with a pistol only.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
November 12, 2013 at 13:37
Battlefield 4’s hard mode is actually normal. I only died twice throughout it. but at least I enjoyed the story (a far cry from Battlefield 3)
Brian Murphy
November 12, 2013 at 13:39
Yeah, I can only hope we see better AI with the new hardware (though, who the fuck knows if developers are STILL struggling with hitting 1080p/60fps). We need more FPS’ in an unforgiving style like Demon Souls. Where dying actually means something, where attacking groups of enemies is risky at best.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
November 12, 2013 at 13:40
That’s something that’s always bothered me about FPS games, the AI is just terrible. They really need to add some sort of “self-preservation” algorithm. I remember playing COD BLOPS and they were all so eager to jump in front of my gun.
Brian Murphy
November 12, 2013 at 13:43
No, what they need is to scoop up GSC’s developers, and lock down rights to, or license the X-Ray engine. I’ve yet to see an AI as complex, and difficult as what they made for Stalker.
SpookyMossel
November 12, 2013 at 13:47
Agreed. Played Ghosts over the weekend and Veteran was super easy compared to other games I played recently. Im looking at you Ranger Hardcore Metro 2033!
Brian Murphy
November 12, 2013 at 13:34
I agree also, these trophies I have no issue with. The ones where it actually takes serious skill and no small amount of luck to pull off. Those are the ones worth being proud of.
Brian Murphy
November 12, 2013 at 13:31
Yeah those I have no problems with, or doing something that’s insanely improbable (like World/Server firsts in WoW….they just don’t happen very often to the average joe).
But, the trophy bloat for shit that is expected….makes trophies stupid and meaningless in my opinion.
SpookyMossel
November 12, 2013 at 13:30
Also, if it wasn’t for achievements I probably would never go to the gym! Can anyone say: Vitality points!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
November 12, 2013 at 13:36
Actually, gamification in real life is actually pretty cool. I like how some of the MOOCs add badges for completing courses (Khan Academy, Open2Learn etc.). It feels like a game, and you get to add a little bit of knowledge in your head. while you hunt for badges.
SpookyMossel
November 12, 2013 at 13:45
I am so close to Gold status!! Must. Pump. Iron!!
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 12, 2013 at 13:37
Maybe you should repost that funny Duke Nukem achievement again. trollol!
SpookyMossel
November 12, 2013 at 13:42
LOL!! Will do.
Hammersteyn
November 12, 2013 at 13:31
I’m gonna need some space in my house. Time to put Grandma in a home.
ToshZA
November 12, 2013 at 13:33
OR you could just sell her and buy more cool stuff with the money. I mean, doesn’t that make much more sense? You’ll never visit her in a home anyways, its full of old creepy people that smell of old creepy people and cats.
TiMsTeR1033
November 12, 2013 at 13:34
This probably happens more often than one would think….
ToshZA
November 12, 2013 at 13:34
Pun intended?
TiMsTeR1033
November 12, 2013 at 13:35
nope was being serious…
ToshZA
November 12, 2013 at 13:35
Happy accident then. Still, appropriate. 😛
TiMsTeR1033
November 12, 2013 at 13:36
hahaha
Hammersteyn
November 12, 2013 at 13:35
I still want her to think I love her so that I can get cookies and cash from her for birthdays and christmas
ToshZA
November 12, 2013 at 13:36
Don’t take her pension money dude, just get a rental agreement going for whoever you rent her to. You’ll end up with more money.
TiMsTeR1033
November 12, 2013 at 13:36
can cryogenically freeze her and thaw her out for the birthdays and holidays. After that bye bye granman!
RinceandRepeat
November 12, 2013 at 13:45
But she’s been under for like 10 years! Who would pay for such a thing?!
ToshZA
November 12, 2013 at 13:46
Necrophiliacs.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
November 12, 2013 at 13:35
You could always harvest gran’s organs… cough extra cash!
TiMsTeR1033
November 12, 2013 at 13:35
you sick!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
November 12, 2013 at 13:41
LIES!!! 😀
TiMsTeR1033
November 12, 2013 at 13:41
I meant sick as in cool…
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
November 12, 2013 at 13:43
Uh! TRUTH!
Hammersteyn
November 12, 2013 at 13:36
LOL the dealer will complain about the mileage on the liver.
TiMsTeR1033
November 12, 2013 at 13:37
That is where the blackmarket comes in…
ToshZA
November 12, 2013 at 13:38
LACIST!
TiMsTeR1033
November 12, 2013 at 13:38
That is the name!
ToshZA
November 12, 2013 at 13:39
That we call lacists rike you!
RinceandRepeat
November 12, 2013 at 13:38
Time to start saving. Oh hell, that was 4 months ago 0-O
TiMsTeR1033
November 12, 2013 at 13:39
Sell your kidney on olx.
ToshZA
November 12, 2013 at 13:39
Your gran’s kidney. See discussion below.
TiMsTeR1033
November 12, 2013 at 13:39
So true!
guest
November 12, 2013 at 13:39
I hope that the web store gets an overhaul to coincide with the launch.
That damn “Download List” irritates me to no end.
How hard is it to implement some sorting mechanism?!
Brian Murphy
November 12, 2013 at 13:41
Kotaku just did an article on Amazon’s Brand New Playstation 4 Marketplace, where you can purchase and download, so it appears PSN won’t be the only place to get games moving forward.
Guest
November 12, 2013 at 13:42
Best. Achievement. Ever. 😛
SpookyMossel
November 12, 2013 at 13:44
Look what I found…
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 12, 2013 at 13:44
lulz
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
November 12, 2013 at 13:51
Oh Erwin… how could you? How could you?
ToshZA
November 12, 2013 at 13:51
“Print Screen” – “open paint” – “control + v” – “crop picture” – “save as” – “post online”
SpookyMossel
November 12, 2013 at 13:56
lol go to steam and see for yourself!