Gaming
The latest PS5 firmware supports Dolby Atmos and larger SSDs
Since July’s end, Sony’s PS5 firmware update has been in beta testing. All users can now download and install system software version 23.02-08.00.00, which adds Dolby Atmos, larger SSDs, and more. The update is just over 1GB.
In addition to those headline new features, this update adds PS5 Access controller support and loads of accessibility improvements, like screen reader language support. Game Base, Parties, Activity cards, and the PS5’s boot beep can now be muted.
More to read, so here are Sony’s full patch notes for this major update. Read on and tell us what you think of the update in the comments:
- Dolby Atmos is now supported, and you can enjoy 3D audio on HDMI devices that support Dolby Atmos.
- Enjoy an immersive audio experience with your supported HDMI device while playing PS5 games that support the Tempest 3D audio technology.
- Media apps that support Dolby Atmos can now deliver the spatial sound experience with your supported HDMI device.
- To turn on Dolby Atmos, go to Settings > Sound > Audio Output > Audio Format (Priority) and then select Dolby Atmos.
- You can now use an M.2 SSD with a maximum capacity of 8 TB to expand storage space on your PS5.
- The screen reader now supports Turkish, Swedish and Portuguese (Portugal).
- The Access controller is now supported.
- You can now use an assist controller.
- You can now assign a second controller to a user who’s logged in to your PS5 as an assist controller. This allows you to use the main controller along with the assist controller to control your PS5 as if you were using one controller.
- To use an assist controller, go to Settings > Accessibility > Controllers > Use Second Controller for Assistance and then turn on Use Assist Controller.
- You can use an assist controller when using a DualSense or DualSense Edge wireless controller, or a PS5-supported third-party controller as the main controller.
- The following features and improvements have been added to Game Base.
- You can now easily see which of your friends are in an activity you can join under the Friends tab.
- The joinable icon will be displayed next to friends who are playing a game you can join.
- You can join a friend’s game directly by pressing the Options button and selecting Join Game or by selecting Join on their profile card.
- You can now easily see which of your friends are in an activity you can join under the Friends tab.
- The following features have been added to Parties:
- When someone’s sharing their screen in a party, you’ll now see a preview of their Share Screen. You can find this in the Parties tab.
- You can now start a private party without creating a group.
- You can now invite players who aren’t group members to a private party.
- You can now send party invitations to groups, in addition to individual players.
- You can now react to messages with emojis.
- It’s now easier to access media shared in your groups. Select Shared Media from the options menu in the messages card.
- The usability of cards in the control centre has been improved.
- Activity cards have been improved. When multiple activities are in progress, the newest one will appear as a standalone card in the control centre. The consolidated activities card will also continue to be displayed.
- Game Help cards have been improved.
- In addition to in-progress activities, you can now see available, previously available, upcoming and completed activities.
- When a card is selected, its details are now displayed on the right side of the card, making it easier to find objectives and their corresponding hints.
- The console navigation experience has been improved.
- When moving the cursor while navigating the console, the sound effect you hear when you reach the point where you can’t move any further is now more pronounced and noticeable.
- You can now get haptic feedback through vibrations on your controller while navigating your PS5. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Controllers and then turn on Haptic Feedback During Console Navigation.
- In the game hub, you can now see how many tournaments you’ve entered and the highest place you’ve achieved.
- On the player profile screen, you’ll now see Most Played games.
- In game library, you can now search for games just within your game library.
- Browse useful tips for getting the most out of your PS5 and learn about new features in the new Discover Tips section.
- Go to Settings > Guide & Tips, Health and Safety, and Other Information > Guide and Tips and then select Discover Tips to view all the tips.
- Simplified Cangjie has been added to text input methods for Chinese (Traditional).
- You can now muste or adjust the volume of the PS5’s beep sound when turning it on or off or putting it in rest mode. Go to Settings > System > Beep Sound.
- To adjust the beep sound volume, select Volume.
- To mute the beep sound, turn on Mute Beep Sound.
- The video output information screen displayed in Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output has been redesigned to make it easier to view.
- To see your current resolution, colour format and HDCP version, select Current Video Output Signal.
- To see the support status of HDR and VRR for each of the available frequencies for your HDMI device, select Information for the Connected HDMI Device.
- Voice Command has been improved.
- The help content of Voice Command has been improved.
- You can now navigate between help content pages using Voice Command.
- Help content will be hidden after some time has passed.
- The help content of Voice Command has been improved.
- If you say “What’s new?” via Voice Command on any screen, you can now check for new PS5 features and the latest information about PS Plus.
- Currently, Voice Command (Preview) is only available in English for players with accounts for PlayStation Network in the US and UK.
- The PS5 QR code login screen has been redesigned. The QR codes are now much larger.
- We’ve updated the device software of the DualSense wireless controller, DualSense Edge wireless controller, PlayStation VR2 and PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers to improve stability.
- We’ve improved the messages and usability on some screens.
Gaming
Ciri from The Witcher expresses her hope that fans will give Liam Hemsworth a fair chance in his portrayal of Geralt
Netflix’s The Witcher has been at the forefront of the recent trend of video game IP transitioning to TV, alongside HBO’s The Last of Us and Amazon’s Fallout adaptations. In 2022, it was announced that Henry Cavill would be stepping away from his role after Season 3, making way for Australian actor Liam Hemsworth to become The White Wolf in Season 4.
In an interview with Collider (courtesy of Eurogamer), Freya Allen, the actress who plays Ciri in the series, has reached out to fans who may find the change to be a challenge. Allen expressed his view of the situation, acknowledging that it may not be ideal and that fans can be quite critical. He mentioned that he doesn’t want to speak on behalf of Hemsworth, but based on his understanding, it seems like Hemsworth is aiming to inject some heartfelt elements into the project. I’m eagerly anticipating his performance after all that training. And he’s truly a delightful individual. I hope people give him a fair chance, you know?
It’s unclear why Henry Cavill decided to depart from the show, despite his previous commitment to stay for the entire seven seasons if needed. Netflix has announced that The Witcher has been renewed for a fifth season, which will be the final installment of the series.
Gaming
CEO of Helldivers 2 commends the remarkable determination displayed by the community during the intense Sony showdown
The experience for Helldivers 2 players has been quite turbulent lately, and we’re referring to a community that is accustomed to leaping from great heights into the most intense and terrifying battlegrounds imaginable. In the midst of a highly debated PSN account requirement for PC players and facing intense backlash, Sony has made a surprising reversal, yielding to the overwhelming force of public opinion. The CEO of Arrowhead, Johan Pilestedt, has displayed an intriguing attitude throughout this challenging period. He has shown remarkable composure, actively engaging with community managers and experiencing the difficulties they face firsthand.
Pilestedt expressed his admiration for the community’s determination and praised their ability to work together on Twitter, following Sony’s reversal. He sarcastically expressed gratitude towards Sony for their “prompt and efficient choice to make PSN linking optional.”
In the future, Pilestedt expressed his vision of working closely with PlayStation and the players to establish a groundbreaking benchmark for the concept of a live game. The aim is to foster a strong partnership between developers and the community, ultimately resulting in an unparalleled gaming experience.
Firstly, I am impressed by the willpower of the @helldivers2 community and your ability to collaborate. Secondly I want to thank our partners and friends at @PlayStation for quickly and effectively making the decision to leave PSN linking optional. We together want to set a new… https://t.co/2rayksgH1v
— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) May 6, 2024
What are your thoughts on the commotion surrounding Helldivers 2? What are your thoughts on Sony’s involvement, Pilestedt’s attitude, and the community’s reaction? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Gaming
Hands On: Stellar Blade Nails PS5 New Game + Mechanics
Stellar Blade is an exceptional game that demands your attention. However, it truly reached new heights after the review embargo was lifted, thanks to the introduction of New Game +. In our review of Stellar Blade for the PS5, we found that one minor drawback was the inability to replay the game. Unfortunately, during the pre-launch period, this author had to start over from the beginning.
Thankfully, none of you will have encountered that problem since the title was updated just hours before its release to include the highly anticipated New Game + feature. This new game+ mode is truly exceptional. As expected, all of your abilities and unlocks carry forward, but the Korean developer has gone above and beyond by expanding Eve’s skill tree with new abilities.
The addition of these new abilities doesn’t exactly revolutionize the game, but it does introduce some fresh tools to your arsenal, ensuring that the gameplay remains engaging. Combine this with some clever enemy placement variations, and you’re practically guaranteed an enjoyable replay. In addition, all of the Exospines and Gear that you unlock in New Game + receive upgrades, enabling you to craft even more powerful builds for Eve.
Additionally, the number of outfits has been doubled. The skins in the game offer a variety of designs, with some featuring unique custom details. Unlocking all of them again adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the experience. In our comprehensive guide, we have meticulously cataloged all the different outfits and their corresponding unlock methods. So, even if you haven’t quite reached the highly anticipated New Game + stage, you can still get a sneak peek at what lies ahead by following the link provided.
Our only critique of the mode is that the difficulty scaling could be improved. You may find yourself becoming seriously overpowered, even in hard mode. Feeling an immense sense of power is undeniably satisfying. However, it would be even more captivating if Shift Up were to delve deeper into these concepts and introduce additional difficulty levels for New Game +, thereby enhancing the game’s replayability.
It would be great if the developer could consider adding additional modes to enhance replayability. A speed run option could add an exciting element to the game. Rarely does a campaign exhibit the level of tightness and replayability found in Stellar Blade. Shift Up has truly crafted something exceptional, leaving us eager for additional content to be added as the release continues to evolve.
Have you begun your new game + playthrough of Stellar Blade yet? What are your impressions of the mode, and are there any other post-release additions you would like to see implemented? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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