The firmware narrative has most certainly changed this generation. We remember the web being ablaze with complaints whenever Sony rolled out an update for the PlayStation 3, but right now it’s being chastised for not doing exactly that with the PlayStation 4. Given that Microsoft has been deploying monthly updates for the Xbox One, the Japanese giant is starting to look like it’s falling behind – but the firm claims that that’s only because it’s been listening to your feedback.
“The strange thing for us is that we got a lot of criticism in the PS3 time about doing a lot of releases very quickly, and so we listened to that and we learned," SCEE’s VP of product planning Murray Hume told Video Gamer. "Because we did [make] mistakes in the PS3 time, and we've learned and we've listened. So, we've taken a different approach, and now we're getting possibly different feedback.”
The platform holder’s set to roll out PS4 firmware update v2.00 tomorrow, which includes a bevy of hotly requested features, including Share Play, YouTube compatibility, and themes. While we don’t think that Hume’s analysis of the situation is wrong, we reckon that the thing that’s changed this generation is standby mode, which more or less mitigates the issues attached to downloading and installing these operating system overhauls.
Seeing as we’re spinning a full length article out of this interview snippet, then, let’s set the record straight once and for all: do you want smaller more frequent firmware updates, or meatier less regular refreshes? Cast your vote in the comments section below.
[source videogamer.com]
Comments 40
I just don't understand why they feel the need to lump a bunch of stuff together, surely they should just offer regular updates whenever a new feature is ready.
If updates add features they're welcome as soon as and regularly, like Xbox One. You got the impression PS3 updates were just Sony taking the mickey after a while.
Language - get2sammyb
I assume lumping everything together cuts back on testing and even more stability updates than usual?
There's another key difference between PS4 and PS3 though: The PS3 didn't have a small list of things that fans wanted that was possible on the previous gen. Whether or not they are possible on the new system aside (I'm unsure if they are or not or how awkward they'd be but lets face it - most of the people complaining don't care) when you've a list of features "missing" from your console that the last generation had it doesn't look good to fans when you go months without adding anything to it.
I'd rather have a new feature as it's ready, it's a cool little extra thing to play with more often.
whenever they feel the feature is ready for distribution they should release it point blank never rush sony! =)
@Jonny Sure it did - all we ever heard about last generation was bloody cross-game chat...
Updates didn't bother me on PS3, it's just that the system was so damn slow. PS4 zips along.
@DoublezZ01 THANKYOU! Another person who doesnt mind.
Hopefully they are just taking the time to get it right.
A lot more firmware updates towards the end because of the system being hacked to play copied games that's what I think
A big update every 3 months is pretty reasonable I think. I've just posted an idea I've had about firmware on the forums, it's called "Future firmware ideas list" under the PlayStation 4 topic. If you guys have a moment then please check it out.
@Bad-MuthaAdebis they tried this with the PS3 and the PSP and people hated it. That's why they don't just do that. Personally if I had daily unobtrusive updates I would be happy. Everyday I turn on my PC, my Linux distribution has 5-10 software updates, and I rarely have to restart (never if I ksplice). I lIke small consistent updates, it makes me feel like they are doing something.
@thedevilsjester it seems kind of dated to do it the way they are at the moment, I'm not sure that Sony really understands what its customers want, they just seem to have the odd bit of good fortune and stumble upon the right formula now and then, with the updates though, they don't have a clue.
I was one of the few who didnt have a problem with the regular PS3 updates, but so many people whined about those that I cant fault Sony for lumping them together now. I honestly dont mind more frequent updates. Never have and with Stand by mode I never will. But seriously gamers, we have only ourselves to blame for this one.
One thing that is problematic for me is that you can't pause downloads. I live in a small village where I can't get more than 4 - 5 mbit downspeed through adsl.
This makes it impossible for me to play online, watch netflix or youtube while downloading. If I need to download a big game update, or if I want to buy a game on psn store, I'll have to wait until it's finished before I can connect to games or streaming services which can take hours or days. Not everyone has the possibility to use fiber network. This is an obvious feature to have and to be honest, I was quite surprised that it wasn't included at launch.
I still have hope that Sony will include this feature in an update soon.
Take your time people will just complain about it regardless. They really just do not know what They want. Playstation should take time to listen to consumers. I wanted the new update to be able to personalize my home screen and to pause dl.
Please watch the language -Tasuki-
Honestly it doesnt matter to me when the updates roll out as long as they roll out. I dont mind small monthly updates or huge quarterly updates for example as long as they are adding features that people are asking for and improvements who cares how long it takes them to release an update. Unless of course its one to fix a hack job or something along those lines.
I think people moaned about the pointless firmware updates in-between the good PS3 ones really(it never bothered me really)
This just proves that a lot of people are idiots.
With the PS3 there were a lot of updates, and people moaned that there were too many and that they should bundle things together and release larger updates on a less frequent schedule, "like Xbox".
Now with PS4 they're bundling things together to release updates on a less frequent schedule, and people - probably in many cases the same ones - are moaning that they're not releasing lots of smaller updates on a more frequent schedule, "like Xbox".
Some people seem so obsessed with having things done "like Xbox" that they'll soon be demanding PS4 plays 95% of games at 900p and/or 30fps.
Sony will never be able to give these people what they want, because these people don't have a clue what they want themselves.
@thahammerman333 Your in luck mate, I believe you can pause downloads when the update goes live, was just announced today.
@adf86 Thank you for telling me the good news!
@Paranoimia Exactly! Sad but true.
@Paranoimia I want to shout Xbox On at my PS4...you know, like Xbox
You are right though. Having worked in the service industry for many years, I can safely say that customers do not really know what they want. Let me qualify that: individually, they know what they want, but to assume that collectively they form some kind of hive mind, is rather ludicrous. Cater to the majority, and you'll piss off the minority...the minority could very well be 49% of your customer base though.
My take it on it, do what Apple does. I absolutely loathe their products, but they effectively don't want me to buy them. Instead, only people who love their products wholeheartedly do, which means they have a VERY loyal and happy customer base, who will spread the word. How is this possible? They say "here is what you want" rather than "we're listening to your feedback".
@thahammerman333 its coming tomorrow in this update bud
Simply put Microsoft is a software company and is used to putting out updates weekly.
Why can't there be both? A feature-heavy update should take longer to insure everything works. Smaller "minor bug fixes" can be grouped together, and a bit more frequient.
People will always have complaints for no reason though. I don't really mind updates. What bugs me is when the update breaks other features that worked just fine before.
You can't please everyone
Love this next update. I hope there are tons of fixes in it above all! Can't wait to test it out, and I love that they're putting a few updates in one. I appreciate the thouroughness and honestly I think only bug fixes should be released often, feature releases can happen slow.
also, why the slow updates? They do have to play it safer with the ps4 being that PSN got hacked before. I think they got it right so long as they fix the problems.
Every 3 months seems like a good frequency to me... I'm not so keen on this annual schedule.
simple, Sony release less updates than Microsoft because they have less mistakes to fix than MS do with the XB1
Lol the themes are infact just different colours, kinda dissapointed as that was the only thing I was looking forward to. As long as my PS4 does what it's supposed to do and thats play games i'm not fussed to much tbh, share play will be cool but i'll only use it to test out games before I buy etc as for youtube I only ever use it to look at boss fights and I have an ipad for that and any other apps are a waste of time, I think the only app i've used and plan on using again is IGN
@FullbringIchigo Can you see China with your head that deep in the ground?
This mythical standby downloading sounds awe inspiring. My Ps4 will download the occasional game update & install in standby mode (not all the time oddly enough), but has never once downloaded & installed a firmware update - always prompting me with the download when I boot the Ps4 (luckily 121Mb net means it takes no time at all). For a guy that has everything activated for standby mode & has always left the Ps4 in standby mode, it would be amazing if it actually did everything its supposed to do
@MadchesterManc I was literally just coming on to write near enough every word you just said. It will download games while I'm out if I buy them from my phone/PC but update files? One in maybe ten times if I'm lucky. Nearly a year in and still doesn't do most things it's meant to.
Also, you might be the one to know - probably not actually but no idea who else would know about Miku here - the Project DIVA F 2nd trophies have gone live in English have they not? Says their in Japanese on my Vita (own the Japanese game) but on PS4/phone app they're in English. Heard anything about that?
@rastamadeus no but I can see australia
any by mistakes I was on about things like the always online, kinect useing so much procesing power and the long install times, things MS said they messed up on and are trying to fix I wasn't being fanboyish
@FullbringIchigo They are just as many frustrating things missing from the PS4 as there are Xbox One problems though. Difference is Microsoft are adapting, changing and fixing. Sony are sat on their lead from the first year, fat with greed, thinking they're untouchable and not caring about their consumers. But it's okay, they'll show off six seconds of Nathan Drake's undercarriage in HD next month and people will wet themselves and forget all the problems for a bit longer. Distraction while not solving problems seems Sony's mantra this year. (rant in general, not at you ha)
@Bad-MuthaAdebis how could they? With the PS3 and PSP (even early Vita) people complained that Sony updated too often and should save them all up. They listened, finally, with the PS4; and now their customers are saying the exact opposite. How can they do what we want when we can't even agree on what that is?
@thedevilsjester the ps4 is far more capable and its very early, people expect regular updates in the first couple of years, I didn't really endure that many updates as I didn't bother connecting my ps3 until last year, until then all gaming was offline and I only got updates through new games.
@SonyInfinity This made everything so much easier!
Who gives a damn. I got a PS4 to play video games not worry about system features and updates. If I'd have wanted a system with plenty of extra features besides gaming, I would have bought an XBOX One.
@WARDIE i agree, i bought the ps4 because the focus seemed to be on gaming instead of a 'multimedia' device for your livingroom that every single other apparatus seems to try to be. Playing music while gaming is nice though
O and to answer the question; yes, longer intervals are fine with me
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