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A big update for the PS5 adds voice chat on Discord, VRR at 1440p, and a lot more

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Sony just put out the latest update for the PS5 system software. If you keep track of the version number, the current one is 23.01-07.00.00. What, though, does this 1.1GB update do? As it turns out, quite a lot. This is the official release of the firmware that has been in beta for a while. It adds support for Discord and makes a lot of other improvements.

As was already said, the most important thing here is the integration of Discord. Once you’ve linked your PSN and Discord accounts, you’ll be able to start a voice chat on Discord and join it on your PS5, which is a convenient way to talk to friends who don’t have a PS5.

People with a 1440p screen can now turn on VRR to smooth out any choppy parts of the image. Game hubs now show the amount of time spent playing, the percentage of overall progress, and a “Friends Who Play” tile that lets you see who has a game and who is currently online. We moved and changed the Trophy activity card to make it easier to use.

The screen reader feature, Game Base, and game library have also been updated. Oh, and the DualSense, DualSense Edge, and PSVR2 Sense controllers can all get software updates as well. Also, with this PS5 update, you will be able to update the software on your controllers wirelessly. In the US and UK, a preview adds commands that let you save video clips of gameplay to the Voice Command feature.

Check out the PS Blog for more information and to see the full list of changes. Do you want to know what the latest PS5 firmware has to offer? Tell us in the comments section below.

What’s new in this update to the system software

  • 1440p video output has been expanded on PS5.
    • VRR (variable refresh rate) is now supported for 1440p resolution.
    • More modes and HDMI devices are now supported. To check if your HDMI device supports this, go to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > Test 1440p Output.
  • You can now transfer data between PS5 consoles.
    • Easily transfer all of your PS5 data to another PS5. This process doesn’t remove or modify your data on your original PS5.
  • You can now join Discord voice chats on your PS5.
    • Link your Discord account to your account for PlayStation Network. Use the Discord app on your mobile device or computer to get a Discord voice chat going on PS5. You can also let your Discord friends see when you’re online and what you’re playing.
  • Voice Command now supports using your voice to save video clips of your gameplay.
    • Say “Hey PlayStation, capture that!” to save a video clip of your recent gameplay. The default duration saved is based on your settings.
    • You can also save a specific duration of your gameplay, from 15 seconds to 60 minutes. For example, to save 5 minutes, say “Hey PlayStation, capture the last 5 minutes”.
    • Say “Hey PlayStation, start recording” to manually start a new gameplay recording. You can then say “Hey PlayStation, stop recording” to end the recording and save the video clip.
    • Currently, Voice Command (Preview) is only available in English for players with accounts for PlayStation Network in the US and UK.

Other new additions

  • The following improvements have been made to the screen reader feature:
    • The screen reader now gives more detailed guidance when navigating the console. It will now tell you which direction you can move from the currently selected component, as well as your current position in a component with multiple items.
    • When using the screen reader in the web browser, you’ll now see borders around the section that’s being read aloud.
    • The screen reader was updated to correctly read aloud certain key terms.
  • The following features have been added to game hubs:
    • Every game will have a timer on the game hub tracking total time played.
    • Game progress will also be displayed for games that have a minimum number of story activities.
    • A Friends Who Play tile has been added.
      • You can see which of your friends own the game and who is currently online.
      • By selecting the tile, you can see what your friends are doing, and you can also access your friends’ profile where you’ll be given more interaction options.
    • The trophy tile has been moved and updated so it’s easier to access and displays your trophy progress.
    • Competitive multiplayer cards can be displayed full screen. By selecting Start Activity, you’ll be taken straight to that match. The prominent placement and size of the card makes it an easy option for multiplayer.
  • The following update has been made to the cross play feature:
    • In game session cards of cross play games, you can now see the members who are playing on other platforms.
  • The following features have been added to Game Base:
    • You can now send a Share Screen request or start sharing your screen with a friend, directly from their profile.
      • Select the Share Screen icon on your friend’s profile.
      • You can also send a Share Screen request to your friend from PlayStation App.
    • On the voice chat card, a joinable icon will be displayed for party members playing a game you can join. You can join the game directly by selecting the player and then selecting Join Game from the menu.
    • Friends that are active on PlayStation App will now show up as online on your friends list.
  • We made the following improvement in game library:
    • You can decide the default sort order for games within gamelists.
    • Use filters in your library to easily find PS VR- and PS VR2-compatible games.
  • The following settings have been added to game presets:
    • You can set your preferences to manage who can join and who can invite other players to multiplayer sessions you’ve created for supported games. Go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Game Presets > Online Multiplayer Sessions, and select your preferences in Who Can Join and Who Can Invite.
  • When downloading or installing a game, the way your saved data is checked has been changed.
    • If it’s a PS4 game and you have no saved data in console storage, you’ll now be notified if PS4 saved data is available in cloud storage.
    • If it’s a PS5 game that can use PS4 saved data, and you have no saved data in console storage, you’ll now be notified if PS4 saved data is available in cloud storage.
    • To download your saved data from cloud storage, press the PS button to expand the notification and then select Download PS4 Saved Data.
  • You can now select which Media Gallery files to manually upload to Captures on PlayStation App. Existing content policies still apply.
  • The following changes have been made to the on-screen keyboard:
    • When you start entering characters, suggestions appear at the top of the on-screen keyboard. If you press the R1 button, instead of entering the first suggestion, you’ll now just select it. To enter the selected suggestion, press the X button.
    • If you see learned suggestions that you want the console to forget, you can delete them from the options menu.
    • (Only for Japanese keyboard) The suggestions that appear while entering characters are now shown in both half-width and full-width characters.
  • Unicode 15.0 emoji can now be displayed.
  • The time required for performing integrity checks on downloaded data has been greatly reduced. This process is done while the Copying… label is displayed on the downloaded item in the Downloads/Uploads control in the control centre.
  • The way installed games are started has been changed.
    • If your PS5 has the download version of a game that you haven’t purchased (such as those that other users on your PS5 have purchased), and if you have the disc version, you can now play the installed download version by inserting the disc (without installing the disc version).
    • Similarly, if you’ve installed a game using the disc, and you’ve purchased the download version of the game, you can now play the installed disc version of the game without inserting the disc.
  • The hint system has been expanded to display a list of objectives if the game provides them. Select any objective to see a more detailed video or text hint.
  • You can now view and manage your authorised apps in Settings.
    • Authorised apps are third-party apps and services that you’ve linked your account for PlayStation Network to. When using an authorised app, you give permission to share your account data with that app.
    • To view and manage your authorised apps, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Authorised Apps.
  • We’ve updated the device software for DualSense wireless controller, DualSense Edge wireless controller and PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers.
    • The update will improve stability.
    • You can now update the DualSense wireless controller device software with a wireless connection.
      • If you have trouble updating the device software wirelessly, connect your controller to your PS5 using the USB cable to update it. You’ll be able to update wirelessly for the next update.
      • DualSense Edge wireless controller and PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers already support wireless updates for the device software. This update isn’t required for performing wireless updates for these controllers.
  • The following issues or problems have been resolved:
    • An error dialogue message that gave misleading information referring to parental control restrictions when using the web browser was fixed.
    • An update was made to address an issue causing some IPS LCD monitors to flicker when VRR (variable refresh rate) is turned on. This update may help solve this issue on these monitors.

 

As Editor here at GeekReply, I'm a big fan of all things Geeky. Most of my contributions to the site are technology related, but I'm also a big fan of video games. My genres of choice include RPGs, MMOs, Grand Strategy, and Simulation. If I'm not chasing after the latest gear on my MMO of choice, I'm here at GeekReply reporting on the latest in Geek culture.

Gaming

Are you eagerly anticipating what Absurd Ventures has in store for us in the coming years

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Activision has recently announced the establishment of a new studio, Elsewhere Entertainment, located in Warsaw. The studio has been entrusted with the exciting challenge of creating a groundbreaking AAA franchise that will captivate players with its immersive storytelling and innovative gameplay. A significant number of employees were let go by the large corporation after the completion of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard King earlier this year.

According to IGN, Activision made the announcement in a blog post, sharing that the team will be based in Poland with additional resources in the US. The studio has assembled a team of highly skilled individuals who have worked on acclaimed titles such as The Last of Us, Uncharted, The Witcher, Destiny, Far Cry, and Tom Clancy’s The Division.

Activision’s response to IGN’s request for a studio logo or official artwork was rather unconventional. Instead of providing the requested materials, they sent over the Cambridge University dictionary definition of the word “elsewhere.”. However, with a discerning eye, one may catch a glimpse of something lurking in the background. The publication acknowledges that, whatever it may be, it has no connection to Call of Duty. Elsewhere Entertainment has been granted full access to Activision’s extensive resources and cutting-edge tools, enabling them to further enhance their production and development capabilities. We may have to wait a while before we find out what they have in store for us.

Curious about Activision’s latest venture, Elsewhere Entertainment? Opening a new studio after numerous layoffs—is it a tasteless move or simply another harsh reality of the video game industry? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

 

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Rockstar Co-Founder Dan Houser is currently working on the development of an exciting new ‘Open World Action-Adventure’ game

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Last year, we reported that Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser had launched a new studio called Absurd Ventures, with the aim of developing original IP for all platforms and formats. The new outfit has recently started development on a game that boasts top-notch combat and third-person action in a variety of game modes.

This information is available, as Eurogamer discovered, from a recent job listing on the developer’s website. The company is looking for more people to join their team and contribute to an “open-world action-adventure game.”. According to Eurogamer, it seems that the project they are working on is still in its early stages. They are currently in the process of hiring for important positions like lead designer, lead gameplay designer, art director, and technical director.

Absurd Venture is dedicated to crafting immersive narrative experiences across a wide range of mediums, such as games, animation, books, graphic novels, live-action, and scripted podcasts. Their mission is to create captivating worlds, compelling characters, and engaging stories that span diverse genres. The former vice president of writing at Rockstar, who co-wrote both Red Dead Redemption games, has recently joined the studio. Additionally, Lazlow Jones, a former writer and producer at Rockstar, has also come on board.

Are you eagerly anticipating what Absurd Ventures has in store for us in the coming years? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

 

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Assassin’s Creed Shadows, the physical version, requires an online connection for installation

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Players who choose to go with a physical copy of the recently announced Assassin’s Creed Shadows will need an Internet connection in order to finish the installation. This is unlikely to pose a problem for most Ubisoft fans, but it does align with a trend that is worth mentioning. It follows a requirement that was initially introduced in 2023’s Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and will also be the case with the upcoming Star Wars Outlaws.

As reported by VGC, pre-orders for the game are now available, and a notice on the front box art at retailers such as Best Buy and GameStop states: “Internet connection is necessary for game installation.” For Avatar, players had to install a day-one patch before being able to start the game. However, both Shadows and Outlaws come with a warning prominently displayed on the front of the box.

The lack of a clear explanation for this requirement raises concerns about the long-term preservation of the game, particularly if the servers are eventually shut down. In December, Ubisoft made the decision to delist the original The Crew, effectively ending its run. This unfortunate event may not be the last time we see a game meet a similar fate.

What are your thoughts on Ubisoft’s requirement of an online connection for the installation of its flagship games? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

 

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