News | PS4's communities feature will end in April
Sony has announced that the PlayStation 4's communities feature will end in April.
The communities feature was introduced during the 3.00 update in 2015. The communities header functions as a gathering point for players with similar interests. For example, there is a notice board for general discussions, screenshots can be shared and group discussions can be held.
Sony already stopped maintaining the PlayStation Communities app on mobile devices last year. Moments later, patch notes were shared stating that the PlayStation 4 version of the feature will also be discontinuing in the near future.
News | Update PS4™ and PS5™ system software using Safe Mode
Download the system software update on the console
If you can access the Home screen but the system software update failed, connect the PlayStation console to your router with a LAN cable and follow the steps below:
PS5: Updating System Software
– Go to “Settings” > “System” > “System Software” > “System Software Update.”
– Select “Update the system software.”
Updating the PlayStation system software manually from a USB drive
Manual Update Requirements
- Wireless DualSense controller (PS5) or DUALSHOCK 4 wireless controller (PS5/PS4) and a USB cable
- PC or Mac computer with internet connection
- USB storage device in FAT32 format, such as a USB drive (with approximately 460 MB of free space).
PS5: Manually update the system software
On a PC or Mac, create a folder called “PS5” on a USB drive in FAT32 format. In this folder, create another folder called ‘UPDATE’.
Go to the PS5 system software update page and select the “Update the system software” section. Download the update file and save it in the ‘UPDATE’ folder. Save the file as ‘PS5UPDATE.PUP’.
Connect the USB drive containing the file to the PS5 console.
Start the PS5™ console in Safe Mode: press and hold the power button and release after the second beep.
Select option 3 of the Safe Mode: Update the system software.
Select Update from USB storage device > OK.
If your PS5 console doesn’t recognize the update file, make sure the folder names and file name are correct. Enter the folder names and file name in capital letters.
PS4: Manually update the system software
Using a PC or Mac, create a folder on the USB in FAT32 format called ‘PS4’. In this folder, create another folder called ‘UPDATE’.
Go to the PS4 system software update page and select the “Update the system software” section. Download the update file and save it in the ‘UPDATE’ folder. Save the file as ‘PS4UPDATE.PUP’
Connect the USB drive containing the system update file to the PS4 console. If you get the following error: ‘SU-41350-3’, the PUP file was renamed because the same file was downloaded multiple times. Check the download location on your PC or Mac and remove all previous versions. Make sure the current file has the following name: PS4UPDATE.PUP
Start the PS4 console in Safe Mode: Press and hold the Power button and release after the second beep.
Select option 3 of the Safe Mode: Update the system software.
Select Update from USB storage device > OK.
My manual PlayStation system software update failed. What should I do?
If your console does not recognize the update file, check that the USB stick is in FAT32 format and that the folder and file names are correct. Enter the folder and file names in single-byte characters and use capital letters.
If this process fails, you may need to reinstall the system software. This process is the same as factory reset and returns the console to its original state.
News | The Binding of Isaac: Repentance is coming to Switch and PlayStation
The Binding of Isaac: Repentance will be released on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 later this year.
That has the developer announced. It was previously announced that the PC version will be released on March 31, but the game should also be available on Switch, PS4 and PS5 sometime later this year. There will also be a physical version for Switch and PS5.
Repentance is officially an extension to The Binding of Isaac, but according to the maker it is more of a sequel, full of new elements. According to the maker, the game will be expanded enormously with new bosses, floors and alternative paths.
News | PlayStation players can now view their 2020 stats
From february 2, PlayStation owners will be able to view their 2020 stats. Sony announced this this afternoon.
On the PlayStation Wrap-Up website, players can log in with their PSN account and view various statistics. The website shows the most played games, how much time was spent online and offline and how many trophies were won.
Sony indicates that the website is aimed at PlayStation 4 owners, but that some PlayStation 5 figures are also shown. However, there are some restrictions: in Europe, players must have given Sony access to collect ‘additional data’ and PSN account holders must be eighteen years or older.
In between the statistics, Sony announces that the most played PlayStation Now games are Spider-Man, Days Gone and Horizon Zero Dawn respectively. The Last of Us: Part 2 has also been played for a total of 200 million hours.
Finally, players can claim a special PS4 theme from PlayStation Store.
News | PS5 update for God of War is out today
A PlayStation 5 patch for the PS4 game God of War will be released later today.
According to developer Sony Santa Monica, the free patch replaces the current graphics mode in the game with a “new default setting that allows PS5 players to experience both the best performance and resolution.”
While players on PlayStation 4 can choose between graphics and resolution, on PS5 there is no need to make a choice after the patch. The game then always runs in 60 frames per second and a resolution of 4K checkerboard (at 2160p).
God of War appeared in 2018 and places Kratos in a Norwegian setting with his son. The game is available for free to all PlayStation 5 gamers with a PlayStation Plus subscription through the PlayStation Plus Collection. Sony Santa Monica, meanwhile, is working on a sequel, God of War: Ragnarok. According to a trailer released last year, that game should be released this year, although no further details have been announced since that initial announcement.
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News | DualSense controller gets official Linux support
Sony has released a driver for the DualSense controller that allows the PlayStation 5 controller to be used on Linux.
Earlier this month, Sony released the driver. However, the driver has not yet been officially accepted and so has yet to be rolled out worldwide, but this should be done in the near future.
Thanks to the driver, all the basic features of the PS5 controller will work properly on a Linux operating system, including the regular action buttons, the touchpad, the default rumble and motion sensors. The haptic feedback and adaptive triggers are not yet working.
No official drivers for the DualSense are available for Windows. However, the controller is supported via Steam.
News | Dbrand will offer custom faceplates for PlayStation 5
Manufacturer Dbrand is working on custom faceplates for the PlayStation 5.
Sony announced via a video earlier this year that the faceplates of the PlayStation 5 are relatively easy to remove. Dbrand is now responding to this by offering custom faceplates.
At the moment it concerns matte black faceplates. The faceplates will be produced at the end of this year and will be available at the beginning of next year. There is both a version for the regular PS5 and the digital edition of the PS5.
Prices are not yet known. As soon as the faceplates can be purchased, interested parties can receive an email by leaving their email address here.
It is not the first time that a third party has tried to sell custom faceplates for the PlayStation 5. Earlier this year, a British company also made an attempt via the PlateStation5.com website. However, Sony hired lawyers to stop the sale. It is not known whether Dbrand faces a similar fate.
News | Sony wants to launch PlayStation Direct store in Europe
Sony wants to open a PlayStation Direct store for European consumers.
The company is looking for a manager for a European version of the PlayStation Direct store via a vacancy. The vacancy states that the company wants to build on the success of the US PlayStation Direct store.
The online store allows people in the United States to order PlayStation consoles, accessories and games themselves through Sony. For the time being, the store was only available in the United States, but that may change in the future.
News | PlayStation app gets major update
The PlayStation app has received a major update. The redesigned app should provide a better experience for users with both the PlayStation 4 and the upcoming PlayStation 5.
The new PS App is available for iOS (12.2 or newer) and Android (6.0 or newer) and includes a number of new features. Of course, the user interface has also been refreshed. On the main screen you can immediately see what your friends are playing and you can get more information about games you have recently started.
Sending messages used to be via the separate PS Messages app, but that functionality is now included in the app. You can also create parties in the app and talk to up to 15 friends via voice chat on your phone.
Furthermore, the PlayStation Store will receive an update in the app. The digital store is now native to the app and users can download purchased games directly to their console.
New functions have also been added for the PlayStation 5, which will be released in the Netherlands on November 19. Users can start games on the PS5 and manage the storage of their console via the app, among other things.
News | Earning Trophies on PlayStation 5 bring rewards
Trophies may earn rewards on PlayStation 5. GamesRadar noticed the new feature in the video about the UI that Sony released last week.
The video briefly shows two trophies for the game Destruction All-Stars. The Wreckognised Gold Trophy will earn a profile avatar, according to the UI, while the Bronze Rookie trophy will earn players a profile banner.
The ability to earn these customization items for trophies isn’t entirely new, though. You can earn themes and avatars in Persona 5 Royal and Bloodborne, among others. Previously, however, players always received an email from Sony when they unlocked a digital reward. With this new feature, the reward system seems to be getting a lot more streamlined.
The feature was not discussed in the video and it can of course still be adjusted or removed before the PlayStation 5 hits the shelves. It is also not clear whether this only applies to Sony’s own games, or whether more games can use the option.