What you should know before installing the new update on Your PlayStation 5.
PlayStation published a new update for the PlayStation 5 last week, adding a ton of new functionality. So let’s discuss how each of those functions. All this information we’ve collected is from the PlayStation public beta, and it will be at least another month before the final product is made available to us. Still, we have the option of peeking inside to see what we’re working with.
Second Controller Accessibility
PlayStation has included some neat new features that they are labeling as accessibility features, but there is much more to it than that. A Second Controller can be added for accessibility purposes, but that’s just the beginning. One is the option of using a second controller for backup. If you power on a second controller and log in with the same credentials, the first will be deactivated, and the second will take over as the primary device.
With this update, however, you can now simultaneously connect two controllers to the same account. The secondary controller’s new role is mostly that of an aid controller. Simply activate this feature by switching it on in the Accessibility Controllers settings menu and using the secondary controller.
Now, if you turn on a second controller and log in with the same credentials, both of you will be in command. This is the perfect solution if you’re playing a video game with a friend or a youngster and you need to assist them, but you don’t want to keep handing the controller back and forth. However, the PlayStation 5 DualSense Edge Controller is incompatible with the assist controller mode, while the regular PlayStation 5 DualSense Controller is supported.
Additionally, when used as an assist controller, functions such as the Motion Sensor Haptic feedback and Adaptive Triggers will be disabled. So, if you have kids or just want to help someone out, this is a nice method to play a game solo. In addition, the new Access Controller will be released in the month of December. This paves the way for having both that and a dual sense pad. Again, this would be a huge time saver if you were helping someone else.
Haptic Feedback
You can also enable haptic feedback for more accessible gameplay on the PlayStation 5. Your Jeweler Sense dual sense Edge and PSVR 2 Sense Controllers will now provide feedback in the main menu and other UI elements. The haptic feedback can be activated under the accessibility controllers’ settings for use while navigating the console.
Furthermore, it can be fed information when you reach the end of a scrollable section, when you tick a box, or when you receive a notice, so it is not limited to navigation. So, even though it was made with people with disabilities in mind, I think it enhances the immersion for everyone. However, I anticipate this will eventually drain more power from your controller.
Beep Sound
Well, the Beep Beep sound is instantly recognizable, and it’s been around since the PlayStation 3; nevertheless, have you ever found yourself wishing you could silence it? So, you can do that now. PlayStation now lets you toggle between lowering the volume and turning it off entirely. Most of you probably think the volume is just right and can’t fathom why anyone would want to turn it down.
But this is a major issue if you’re gaming late at night and don’t want to wake up your sleeping family or children. Simply modify the volume or choose between the three available Beep sounds by navigating to the system settings where this option is located. It seems that the default is too high, but you may also change it to medium or low or turn it off entirely. Additionally, you can activate it in silent mode.
More Storage
PlayStation 5’s more storage is an additional significant improvement. Now we may use M.2 SSDs with greater storage capacities. We were able to add 4 more terabytes of storage space once the SSD slot was unlocked almost two years ago. We’ve all been consuming anywhere from 2TB to 4TB of SSD space in a single PlayStation 5. However, with this update, the maximum has been raised from 4TB to 8 TB.
So, if you’re looking for an affordable 8TB SSD, I wish you the best of luck. If your system fulfills the specs mentioned on PlayStation’s website, you can install hundreds of titles without worrying about space. Would you really upgrade your PS5’s storage to 8 terabytes? While this may sound excessive, consider that even with games averaging 200–250GB in size, you still only have room for 35–40 titles.
Dolby Atmos
PlayStation 5’s support for Dolby Atmos is a major improvement for individuals who already own a Dolby Atmos-capable setup, such as a TV Soundbar or home theater Dolby Atmos system. This is fantastic news since it implies that Dolby Atmos-enabled devices can be used to listen to 3D audio in games. Simply select “Sound and Audio Output” from the Settings menu, and you’ll see “Dolby Atmos” among the available formats.
PlayStation has indicated that media app developers can add support for Dolby Atmos through updates to their PlayStation 5 apps, providing customers more options for enjoying immersive audio in movies, TV shows, and other media in the future. It’s wonderful that apps like Netflix may eventually be updated to support it, even though it’s not currently supported during the test.
UI Improvements
There seem to be five new social UI Improvements features, such as a revamped event interface. Inviting a player into a closed party is now possible without adding them to the current party or making a new one. Adding a new user automatically generates a new party, so I’ve lost track of how many I actually have. So, it’s great to have this new PlayStation 5 feature. Now, I don’t know about you, but when I go to a party, I tend to show off my skills quite a bit. When there are five of us playing Warzone, we take turns so that nobody has to sit there for 20 minutes doing nothing while the rest of us play.
Well, now you can see a preview image of the screen whenever there is an active screen share, so you always know what they are playing. The convenience of joining a friend’s gaming session is another. You can now immediately enter a party without first going to the party screen or searching for a friend on your friend list. To join a game with someone, simply touch the choices button and choose to Join a Game, or use the Join button on their card.
Messaging
If you are registered for a tournament on Game Hub, a tile for that competition should now appear on the new dashboard’s right-hand sidebar. Also, PlayStation 5 users who exchange messages frequently can now respond to them without typing out a response. To make responding to messages easier and faster, we’ve included a little icon next to each message that you can tap to select one of six emojis.
Game Library
In terms of user-friendliness, it appears that Game Library has been updated, and now you can search for games within the library itself, which is really convenient. Instead of searching throughout your library and the entire shop for a game you want to play, you can now narrow your search to only the titles you own. When you have hundreds of games installed but only want to play one, this is a great feature to have.
Now, game cards aren’t new, and they’re quite useful if you ever get stuck or need some guidance when playing a game. In-game progress in various tasks and sections of the game may now be viewed alongside currently available, previously accessible, forthcoming, and completed activities. Now you can review the ones you’ve already finished or plan ahead for the ones that lie ahead. Additionally, the details have been shifted to the right side of the card, making it slightly easier to follow once a card has been chosen.
The following one is a fantastically helpful addition for PlayStation 5 users. Thus instead of checking the release notes after every update to see what’s changed, just update. A visual guide to new features and helpful hints has been added to the configuration panel. This would be helpful for people like me who just let the automatic updates happen without looking to see what’s new. While at least now you can see what has changed and how it will function.
That was a quick rundown of the new features in the beta release. Are there any of them that particularly stand out to you? If not, what other things would you like to see added in the future?
