Home Gaming As expected, PS4 SharePlay is useless in South Africa

As expected, PS4 SharePlay is useless in South Africa

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SharePlay is the biggest feature to come out of Sony’s new Masamune update. It allows gamers to effectively share their games with the friends, handing them the reigns to their consoles for hour long periods. It’s like a virtual couch, even allowing games that don’t have online multiplayer be played over the internet. It’s amazing stuff, really. And it’s also completely useless to most of us in South Africa.

Yes, unfortunately for most of us here, who rely on our Asymmetrical DSL lines for internet connectivity, the feature is 100% pointless. Thanks to our maximum 1Mb/s uploads, SharePlay doesn’t work at all. I have a 10mb ADSL connection, which suffices for most things, and tried to initiate a few SharePlay games with Darryn, who’s stuck on his little peasant 2Mb line  – but to no avail.  Whether he or I initiated the SharePlay Session, the result was the same: Nothing. Wired connections and wireless ones both with the same result.

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Those of you running faster-than-light LTE connections or whatever other unicorn-powered internet with sufficient upload speeds might get better mileage out of the much-heralded feature – but for the majority of us in South Africa, you may as well forget that the feature even exists. Of course, this really should come as no surprise to anybody who’s tried broadcasting gameplay here, whether via Twitch, YouTube  or any other similar service: Our upload speeds just aren’t up to the task.

Have you tried SharePlay, and had any more success than us?

Last Updated: October 29, 2014

64 Comments

  1. Cadis Etrama Di Umar

    October 29, 2014 at 09:05

    Also, why was standby mode renamed to rest mode?? Seems random

    Reply

    • Fnuik

      October 29, 2014 at 09:10

      Ja that is a bit strange, and I couldn’t understand why my updates wasn’t downloading in rest mode, saw the setting to stay connected to internet in rest mode somehow became unchecked during the update.

      Reply

    • e1ace

      October 29, 2014 at 09:46

      Standby mode is typically for ultra low power modes where hardly any power is used, i.e. just enough to get the device to turn back on again.

      A proper example of standby mode is when the PS4 is off, but plugged in. As a touch of the power button turns it on.

      Rest mode is entirely different whereby the console has a few features enabled (including networking), this can use a decent amount of power downloading updates etc.

      I’m sure it’s part of some European legislation that meant they needed to change the working.

      Reply

    • veggiesaurus ZA

      October 29, 2014 at 10:21

      I think they changed the name because it no longer works.

      Reply

      • Cadis Etrama Di Umar

        October 29, 2014 at 11:32

        Rest in Peace Mode?

        Reply

  2. Pieter Kruger

    October 29, 2014 at 09:06

    I honestly do not see the point of this, seriously anybody care to explain to me? “even allowing games that don’t have online multiplayer be played over the internet” – does this add online multiplayer to games that does not have online multiplayer?

    Reply

    • CAE9872

      October 29, 2014 at 09:09

      Nowadays I suppose the “sharing is caring” mantra applies. The whole “inclusive” nature that your game just must have. Seems like a non-event to me personally BUT like anything, until I could try it, I cannot really say for sure whether good or bad.

      Reply

    • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

      October 29, 2014 at 09:11

      Yes. It also lets another player play a difficult section for you, or jump in as your 2P in games that only have couch co-op. It also lets your mates “demo” your games, without needing to own them. It’s also completely fucking useless in SA.

      Reply

      • Pieter Kruger

        October 29, 2014 at 09:16

        OK so the Online multiplayer feature for couch only co-op sounds interesting for the couple of games it would apply to, rest seems pretty useless, even if you had sufficient internet speeds!

        Reply

        • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

          October 29, 2014 at 09:16

          Nah, i think it’s cool. You could, for example, co-op something like resogun or dead nation with a mate, and he doesnt even need to own the game.

          Reply

          • Pieter Kruger

            October 29, 2014 at 09:18

            Yes but that’s only for one hour right? Would really piss me off if the session got cancelled at a boss fight etc. Guess timing is everything ????!

          • HvR

            October 29, 2014 at 09:28

            Jip 60 minute but apparently you can immediately restart the session .

            So depends how they implement it, if it is a pause screen or like a continue screen on the old arcade games it will be ok but if you need to restart from scratch breaking the flow or ending the play session it is pretty much useless.

          • Pieter Kruger

            October 29, 2014 at 09:30

            Even if you can restart it immediately I’m pretty sure the game will not save your progress?????

          • HvR

            October 29, 2014 at 09:33

            If this is the case MS have officially handed over the “Dumb-ass Gimmick” hat to Sony.

          • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

            October 29, 2014 at 09:34

            It’ll save progress. Player one’s session continues as normal; doesn;t exit the game. Still, all moot. because fucking useless.

          • HvR

            October 29, 2014 at 09:41

          • sampson3121

            October 29, 2014 at 16:27

            have you tried changing the settings to medium or low..guy in Australia was having the same problem and did that and got connected…give it a try if you haven’t and let me know the outcome

          • sampson3121

            October 29, 2014 at 16:25

            it does start from where you finished last…why do you have to be so negative?

          • veggiesaurus ZA

            October 29, 2014 at 10:20

            You can do it from within the game session.

      • OVG

        October 29, 2014 at 09:18

        GOOD!!!
        Sharing is for pussies.

        Reply

      • Admiral Chief 0

        October 29, 2014 at 09:35

        So SharePlay is like the government?

        Reply

  3. Ranting Raptor Llew

    October 29, 2014 at 09:13

    Not really surprised. Even users on LTE won’t be using this for the simple fact that mobile data is too expensive. So they won’t get any proper use out of it unless their bank account is leprechaun powered

    Reply

    • theseasonswither

      October 29, 2014 at 09:17

      I need a new bank account because my current 1 has run out of money 🙁

      Reply

  4. OVG

    October 29, 2014 at 09:13

    Pre-order Titan Fall and get 100% money back guarantee with a GTAV redeem code.

    T&Cs apply, 50gig download required.

    http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wUQr64Rlz_M/T7Ab5zGqbxI/AAAAAAAABKQ/A5679p9HR8Y/s180/idi-amin-laughing.gif

    Reply

  5. Fnuik

    October 29, 2014 at 09:15

    I just want to play Diablo couch co-op with my brother without me having to buy the game aswell, while sitting on my own couch

    Reply

  6. Ryanza

    October 29, 2014 at 09:17

    This is your online future that some of you like to support. Playing games like Diablo 3 with lag to online features that straight up don’t work.

    All I want as a South African is to play the damn single player games with no need of the fucking internet.

    Reply

    • Ryanza

      October 29, 2014 at 09:24

    • UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy

      October 29, 2014 at 09:44

      To be honest you can probably play any game if you have a 2mb connection that only you utilize.

      As much as I hate the always online stuff I understand that they are trying to protect themselves against piracy.

      I have a pretty good connection so it doesn’t bother me all that much in the end.

      I do support CDPR directly on gog.com though for the no DRM, but at the same time I know they are probably losing money from people pirating the installs. =/

      In a world where people are honest and actually do buy the games they enjoy the no DRM thing would probably work perfectly, but yeah here we are 😀

      Reply

      • Ryanza

        October 29, 2014 at 09:52

        DRM has nothing to do with piracy and you to use be using that argument of piracy = lose of sales is rather silly. The lose in sales comes from the fact that people without internet can’t buy games and such.

        Reply

        • UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy

          October 29, 2014 at 10:01

          I know there are counter arguments to all of this and each guy thinks he is right. I am for no-DRM, but at the same time can you imagine how many people would pirate D3 if it wasn’t always online? Even if someone doesn’t have internet I can promise you they know someone that does have it and can give them the copy of the game.

          It is obviously a higher-ups decision to go this way or that and I am glad CDPR are going no-DRM, because I feel like I actually own the game. Then again my Steam library is just under 300 atm so I can’t really say I worry that much about properly managed DRM I guess.

          Reply

          • Ryanza

            October 29, 2014 at 10:20

            There was a study done on piracy numbers and they found that piracy numbers are not at all that big. Diablo 3 would done well with no DRM. PC is riddled with DRM and Diablo 3 had to go to consoles to make even more money. DRM has caused sales numbers to dwindle on PC and flourish on consoles.

            What has Diablo 3 with DRM done for me. A – I never play the game, B – I never bought any expansions, C – I will never buy another Blizzard game again. There is you lose in sales right there.

            We need to get rig of DRM at retail with PC games in order to increase PC game sales. It’s that simple. Healthy PC sales numbers are so important to the gaming industry. But sadly PC sales don’t even account to half of console sales.

            And just to add. Xbox 360 games saw and still sees really good sales numbers even with piracy. Consumers who pirate ends up consuming more. Non consumers don’t consume but those numbers are small and doesn’t make any difference at all.

          • UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy

            October 29, 2014 at 10:42

            I guess it doesn’t really hit more all that hard since I own D3 and the expansion both collector’s editions. I honestly don’t mind properly managed DRM like steam does it.

            Origin is kind of catching up to where they need to be.

            In a perfect world I would prefer a library system like Steam, but with no DRM.

            I normally just attribute PC sales dwindling to the fact that a PC solely for gaming can get to be more effort than a console. A console is like a quick fix for someone that wants to just play the games without much hassle etc.

            Also I find it weird when people don’t have internet to be honest, but meh… I don’t really care all that much about this whole argument. I just decide whether I want to accept the terms the company needs me to accept and most of the time I find them within reason.

          • Ryanza

            October 29, 2014 at 11:23

            Steam as digital distribution is fine but Steam in retail is not fine. Origin as digital distribution is fine but Origin in retail in not fine. Uplay as digital distribution is fine but Uplay in retail is not fine. GOG.com as digital distribution is fine but GOG.com in retail is not fine and that’s why GOG.com is not in retail with The Witcher 3.

            That argument of everyone should just have internet already because you have internet is not really a good argument to have when people just want to play the games. I won’t go into it seeing as you don’t care.

            The dwindling PC sales can be attributed to DRM and if you look at the reaction Microsoft got for announcing DRM, you can see where those sales went.

            PC gaming is set up for people like you but can there also be options for people who are not like you who also wants to play PC games. The One solution doesn’t really cater for all. And DRM should never be in retail. Everybody should be able to buy and use from retail. Not just certain types of people.

          • UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy

            October 29, 2014 at 11:34

            I am all for internet being a basic human right though. It just helps SO much. You can teach yourself the basics of most things just by googling things and get past the fact that universities and colleges kind of keep knowledge hostage. (Although this is a completely different argument 😛 )

            I own a pretty powerful computer, WiiU and a PS3. I can tell you I have all but abandoned my PS3 except for using it as a media server. The WiiU is for my TV Speletjies :D. My PC is where I do all my gaming and work really.

            If I have to officially vote I would be against DRM just because it just leaves so much room for EA etc to screw everyone over, but I gauge to see what is acceptable and then go into it eyes open.

            The nice thing about Steam would obviously be the sales and I am making the deal with the DevilRM to get those prices on games really.

            I think I understood Blizzard games being always online more, because there was that whole argument about the auction house and now having to recode it might be a big hassle? (I might be wrong. I don’t know how difficult it would be to code it to offline play.) Taking SimCity as an exmaple. That definitely didn’t NEED to be always online. They definitely cut out a big part of their market there, but then again EA always does stupid shit like that. I can still don’t have bigger maps 🙁

            In the end it comes down to one thing. Give people the option. Do you want DRM? There you go. Do you not want DRM? Here is the other option.

            I am just kind of used to it by now, but if you think about it when I die no one is getting my Steam library except if I give them the login details. THAT sucks. 🙁 I honestly think when I day it will be the most expensive thing I can pass along in my will xD

          • Ryanza

            October 29, 2014 at 13:58

            I think there was a story about how you can’t leave your Steam account in your will. It’s against the T&C of Steam. Ye’h DRM. lol.

            You right about having options. But not DRM or no DRM. Rather DRM and no DRM. Like how The Witcher 3 is being released. If you must have the Steam version then there is a Steam DRM version. There is also retail with no DRM which means anybody can pick up a copy at retail and play the game. Later on there will also be Xbox Live and PSN DRM options.
            That is how all games should be released. With buying options for all sorts of gamers.

      • sampson3121

        October 29, 2014 at 16:31

        ps4 doesn’t have to be alays online..i don’t understand what you mean?

        Reply

    • sampson3121

      October 29, 2014 at 16:30

      actually, i have been playing bf4 and watch dogs with minimal if any lag so? sorry you guys live where you do but that’s not Sony’s fault is it?

      Reply

  7. Cadis Etrama Di Umar

    October 29, 2014 at 09:18

    peasant 2mb lololol….I laugh, because I too am I peasant, well hey, it gets the job done…In a day or two

    Reply

  8. RinceThis

    October 29, 2014 at 09:26

    TIA. DRM, Ryanza… 0_O

    Reply

    • Ryanza

      October 29, 2014 at 09:35

      As far as I can see, SharePlay is not DRM.

      Don’t use my name for crazy talk.

      Reply

  9. Admiral Chief 0

    October 29, 2014 at 09:29

    Wonder how it would perform on my company fibre (6mb up, 6mb down)

    Reply

    • Weanerdog

      October 29, 2014 at 09:39

      Only work if you could find someone on the other end with a similar speed.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief 0

        October 29, 2014 at 09:41

        Indeed

        Reply

      • veggiesaurus ZA

        October 29, 2014 at 10:18

        6mb upload is fine for a host. You just need someone who has a *download speed* in the same region (or higher). The client doesn’t need much upload bandwidth, since they’re only sending input info.

        Reply

        • Weanerdog

          October 29, 2014 at 10:25

          You are probably right. I say probably because it has just not been developed for any market outside urban first world so it might not even pass the verification if it does not find the right upload speeds at both ends.

          Reply

  10. fred

    October 29, 2014 at 09:29

    Yip , sharing a 720p 30fps feed with someone will require a few bits to be passed properly between users. This is for the folks who ask why you need high speed uncapped internet.

    Reply

    • veggiesaurus ZA

      October 29, 2014 at 10:17

      it’s not so much the high speed part as the symmetric part.

      Reply

  11. I_am_Duffman!

    October 29, 2014 at 09:49

    One of my new favourite lines.

    “…or whatever other unicorn-powered internet with sufficient upload speeds…”

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief 0

      October 29, 2014 at 10:48

      LOL yeah, epic

      Reply

  12. Necro

    October 29, 2014 at 10:38

    Here in Armenia, optical internet connection is ubiquitous. I’d think South Africa with its access to sea developed economy would have better internet than a surrounded 3rd world country, how come?

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      October 29, 2014 at 10:46

      Basically because of a government controlled telecoms company that has a monopoly & didn’t spend much money on upgrading infrastructure for decades.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief 0

        October 29, 2014 at 10:48

        ^This

        Reply

      • Necro

        October 29, 2014 at 11:27

        We had the exact same situation here until around 2009-10, then the market diversified. Now im running ~20Mbps line, not fantastic, but sufices everything.

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          October 29, 2014 at 11:49

          It’s very slowly getting better I think. Couple of new undersea cables have come online, prices are slowly coming down – still expensive though. Most people still sitting with 2mb or 4mb ADSL lines. One of the fun parts is having to pay a phone line rental and an ADSL line rental – for the same piece of copper wire.

          Reply

          • Necro

            October 29, 2014 at 14:52

            Damn that sucks.
            We pay ~36$ for internet+115 channel cable TV a month. Hope it gets better there 😉

    • WitWolfy

      October 29, 2014 at 16:00

      Telkom has monopoly of telecoms unfortunately

      Reply

  13. WitWolfy

    October 29, 2014 at 15:58

    Yeah you need at least a 5MB upload speed for it to work.

    Reply

  14. sampson3121

    October 29, 2014 at 16:23

    sorry to hear the trouble in SA..i understand that it’s settings are set to high, someone i know just turned it to medium and it worked…maybe you would need to set it to low.

    Reply

  15. Egla

    October 29, 2014 at 16:51

    Maybe you should make some friends in Europe where we don’t have third world country connections haha.

    Reply

  16. samuel

    January 6, 2015 at 18:54

    I am from Nigeria. when i tried to shareplay call of duty i got an error message saying you are not allowed due to restrictions in your region. sad really!. i also get the internet connectivity problem once in a while but i was able to shareplay watchdogs though

    Reply

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