Are you still harbouring a few burning questions regarding the PlayStation 4? If so, Sony’s got your back, as it’s just released an absolutely gigantic FAQ dedicated to the impending next generation format. This covers everything from release dates and parental controls, right through to launch titles and much, much more.
We’re sure that we’ll be pulling new information out of this enormous document for days, but a couple of pieces of information jumped out to us. Firstly, you’ll be able to request a Blu-ray activation disc if you’re unable to access the Internet in order to download the system’s first major firmware update. You’ll also be able to put the patch on a USB stick and copy it across.
Elsewhere, the platform holder has reconfirmed that you won’t be able to turn off the DualShock 4’s light bar, while it has stressed that you’ll finally be able to charge the controller when your system’s in stand-by. A standard charge will supposedly take two hours, and will last as long as the company’s current generation controller.
At launch, you won’t have an enormous number of indie titles to download. The likes of Resogun, Sound Shapes, Flower, Flow, Contrast, and the Pinball Arcade will be available on day one, with the likes of Warframe, DC Universe Online, and more presumably set to follow in the coming weeks. The firm stresses that the launch lineup is subject to change, and it’ll be updated through until release. [Update: The launch list has indeed grown since being published. Check the PlayStation Blog for the full roster of titles.]
There’s more information on Remote Play, the PlayStation Camera, and virtually everything else through here. Feel free to share anything that jumps out at you in the comments section below. How are you preparing for 15th November? It’s just over two weeks away now, folks. Oh boy...
[source blog.us.playstation.com, via blog.eu.playstation.com]
Comments 24
Wait, no Warframe at launch? I've been horribly mislead.
Pre-order cancelled.
EDIT: Oh, apparently it is - at least in North America. Their blog post has been updated.
Now waiting for European confirmation...
It doesn't state what resolution share videos will be??
@ShogunRok Have added an update to the article to account for the fact that it's changing. Strange that they published this without checking the final roster.
Plus remote play sounds very dodgy :/
"We also recommend that the PS4 system be connected to the local area network via an Ethernet cable, that a router suitable for gaming be used and that the PS Vita system be within close proximity of the WiFi access point so that the connection is free of interference."
@eLarkos I think a lot of that was expected. The further away from your router that you get, the more lag you'll introduce. The only thing that concerns me a little bit is the recommendation for the console to be wired, but assuming that's just a precaution, it should be fine.
However the FAQ does not address video playback at all. What about .mp4, .mkv, subs et al?
No .mp3 support? Very bad. 5400 hard disk? Sort of slow.
So here in Greece the PS4 release date given by major retailers is 13-12-13 but my country is not mentioned at all in the FAQ... Did they forgot it? But they mentioned smaller ones.
So in order to use Vita remote play I need to buy a wireless router? I don't have and I don't want one. I thought local remote play would be something like the Wii U with the PS4 streaming directly to Vita.
@belmont No, you always needed to use a router. From what I understand, Remote Play essentially turns your PS4 into a mini Gaikai server. This information is sent from the console through your router to the Vita. There's no unique Wii U-esque technology in there.
As for Greece, I've just done a quick Google and it looks like your release date is 13th December.
EDIT: Working on an article about the MP3 stuff.
@get2sammyb But the point is that 95% of gaming requires ZERO lag for it to be a decent experience. I highly doubt remote play is going to be a realistic feature for the large majority of owners
@get2sammyb The release date is indeed 13-12-2013, I have called the major local retailers. It is strange that they somehow forgot to write it in the FAQ though.
Anyway seems that I will be able to get the free IGC stuff from the web store and have them ready till I get the PS4. The same think happened with the Vita.
As @eLarkos stated you need zero lag. In the Wii U this was done somehow. However in promo videos it seems that there is no lag.
So I need 409 euros + money for a decent HDD + money for a high speed router. I surely have to save some money...
@eLarkos You will never, ever get zero per cent lag in anything. There is lag attached to your controller and television when you play natively. I'm not really sure what point you're trying to make, though. If you use Remote Play in a home network it should function fine. If you take it outside then it will get worse.
I didn't really mean zero lag but so close to zero its not funny. if you read the initial interviews with Iwata relating to Wii u development he stated they had a very hard time creating the minimum latency for games to function effectively.
My point is I doubt remote play will work well for the majority of people
All I have to say is.
Nice.
Good start and now we wait and keep on asking for improvements.
It's like a manual! @u@
"3G Remote play? No." Lmao
Well this Sucks No 3G Remote play Ah! Come on Sony!
Oh my that is a massive Q&A, my body ain't ready for that.
I hope you can record 3D videos with the PlayStation Camera using an app like EyeCreate.
Everything BBUUTT the ONE thing I need to know!!
I don't suppose anybody could tweet Shuhei and ask what file format PS4 will be? If it's not NTFS I have to throw my USB drives away D;
@Grockumus I'm sure you must be able to, but maybe not at launch. As soon as you can record in 3D, Sony will fish some money from me for a shiny 3D TV!
I must say I'd like have to known how fast the CPU runs, GHz-wise...I am a little nerdy with stuff like that. But very thorough FAQ nonetheless.
Oh...and another question about the PS4 remains unanswered: Will it be able to love us?
Sony owns major Music and Movie Studios. They are forced in a way to NOT support .mkv and subtitles because let's face it the only reason you have to use those files is to watch downloaded series and movies, which according to them is considered piracy. This is the reason that no Sony product has multimedia capabilities beyond the mp4 format.
As for the removal of mp3 support I find it justified. First of all you remove the demand for custom in game soundtracks,which the developers and the publishers don't want. How often did you use your ps3 to actually listen to mp3s? Last but not least, they need to somehow force you to use their music service. Will I miss the fact that I can't play mp3 on my PS4? Not really. I wouldn't mind having the option to choose though beacuse Music Unlimited is NOT available in all countries and regions.
@Reverend_Skeeve The PS4 loved us the first day it was announced
@benrawr Hopefully with 4K TVs already coming out, 3D ones will become much more affordable. I got one of those SimulView 3D Displays when they were on sale at Best Buy for $200 (they were originally $500!). They even threw in an extra pair of 3D glasses for free! The sound quality on it sucks, but I always use my Pulse Headset instead when playing PS3 (sound quality on those Pulse headsets are AMAZING!).
@Grockumus Good! I was deeply in geek love since Feb., that's for sure.
Found this on /., seemed worth a mention:
"the console will require activation via the internet or a special disk before it will play Blu-ray or DVDs"
Why would it need activation for DVDs?
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