Sony's latest beta update to the PlayStation 5's user interface includes a much-needed separation between PS4 and PS5 versions of cross-generation games. The console's handling of PlayStation 4 games with PlayStation 5 versions has been one of the main sticking points against the machine, especially in comparison with Xbox's Smart Delivery technology. Around launch, some developers had to get out on social media to warn players about installing the wrong version of their games.
Many would-be PlayStation owners may never get to experience this initial confusion, as the console has been scarce on store shelves since it premiered in November. This scarcity has been exacerbated by scalpers, and by ongoing tech shortages. This has led Sony to commit to supporting the PlayStation 4 for the foreseeable future, a move that could be seen as a turnaround considering Jim Ryan's previous quote about the company "not believing in generations."
Whatever Sony's stance on cross-compatibility, the fact of the matter is that there are many games that run on both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, and, as reported by Eurogamer, the latest PS5 beta update makes it much easier for players to distinguish between the two versions. The dashboard now shows each cross-gen game twice, once for each version. Tiles for the games have clear indicators as to which version is which, letting PS5 owners pick and choose which experience they want. More importantly, this indicator will prevent players from installing the wrong version of a game and wasting time that could otherwise be spent gaming.
The updates don't just stop with backward compatibility improvements. The latest PS5 beta also adds support for SSD expansions, albeit expensive ones, letting players install an expansion for their internal game storage. Elsewhere, the Trophy Tracker now shows five awards at once, the Control Center will now let players hide certain settings they don't need, and the Game Base adds a friends list that can see who's online and handle pending requests. PlayStation Now subscribers also get a bonus in the form of a resolution selector, letting them choose between playing a game in 720p and 1080p.
Those interested in seeing all these changes ahead of the general public can apply on Sony's official website to install the beta update onto their PlayStation 5. Interested users need to be at least 18 years old and live in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Germany, France, or Japan. Sony's continued support for cross-generational titles shows that the PlayStation 4 likely won't be obsolete anytime soon, even in the face of the PlayStation 5's success.
Source: Eurogamer