PlayStation 4's 5.0 update was leaked last week, and now Sony has officially revealed what's coming in the patch. In short, there are few huge features included in the update--which is out today for select beta testers--but lots of small improvements that should improve the system's functionality overall.
Some of the enhancements center around streaming using the PS4's built-in broadcasting capabilities. PS4 Pro users will be able to stream in 1080p and 60 FPS, provided their connection is strong enough, and PSVR users will be able to see new messages and comments coming through while broadcasting. PSVR is also adding 5.1ch and 7.1ch virtual surround sound support.
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Next up, the PS4's Friends List is being updated with greater management tools, such as the ability to set up separate lists of friends. You'll be able to create a list of all the people you play Destiny with and send them all an invite, for example. This feature replaces the old Favorite Groups tab.
In another move to help reduce the amount of time spent in menus, the Quick Menu is being updated to have more options. For example, you'll be able to check on download progress and see new party invites. You can also leave a party from within that menu and see your current Spotify playlist.
Notifications are also being improved when watching films and TV, as you can now disable message and other notification pop-ups while watching media. You can also change how much of a message is displayed, as well as its color, when playing or watching any form of content.
Finally, Parental Control features are being overhauled in favor of what Sony calls "Family on PSN." This replaces the old Master/Sub account system; instead, one user is deemed the Family Manager, and they can set up other accounts and appoint them as a Parent/Guardian, Adult, or Child. Parents or Guardians can restrict Child accounts in their "use of online features and communication with other players, set restrictions for games, restrict the use of the internet browser, and set spending limits for PlayStation Store." Note that Sony says the first time any North American user tries to set up an Adult account, they will be charged $0.50 "to verify that you are an adult."
You can read all the details of the 5.0 update here. Beta testers who were selected to take part will be able to upgrade today, though bear in mind that your console may experience "unexpected issues" as a result of the beta. Sony does say, however, that you can downgrade to the current version of 4.73. The company has not revealed when the update will go live for all users, though beta invites do include two extra codes for testers to try it out with friends.
This past Tuesday was the first of October, and that means Sony has launched the month's lineup of PlayStation Plus freebies. PS Plus members can now download six more free games across PS4, PS3, and Vita.
The biggest of the bunch is easily on PS4, where subscribers can now get Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain for free. The stellar final entry from series creator Hideo Kojima presents players with an open world and some excellent stealth mechanics, as you can read about in our 10/10 Phantom Pain review. Appropriately for Halloween month, it's joined by Amnesia Collection, a compilation of two different horror games: Amnesia: The Dark Descent and Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs.
PS4 owners actually get a total of four games in October, as both Vita games--Hue and Sky Force Anniversary--support Cross-Buy. PS3 owners, meanwhile, get a total of three; Cross-Buy brings them Sky Force in addition to Hustle Kings and Monster Jam Battlegrounds.
If you haven't already claimed the bonus free game That's You, it leaves PS Plus on October 24; PSVR game RIGS is free until November 7. An additional bonus will be introduced in October for Plus members, as they'll get closed beta access to Hand of the Gods, the spin-off of Smite. Until November 14, you can also get a free Plus Pack that consists of a special Galactic Invader Leader skin for Ah Puch, a card back, a player icon, and five Core Packs.
October's free PS Plus games are available now. You can grab them through the respective systems or on the PlayStation Store website.
October 2017 Free PlayStation Plus Games
PS4
Amnesia Collection
Hue
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Sky Force Anniversary
PS3
Hustle Kings
Monster Jam Battlegrounds
Sky Force Anniversary
Vita
Hue
Sky Force Anniversary