Sony Will Fix PS4 Messages in Future Firmware Update

"Sorry for the inconvenience"

by Sammy Barker Mon 22nd Dec 2014

Carrier pigeons would be quicker than the PlayStation 4’s messaging utility. Those of you that regularly use Sony’s next-gen system may have noticed that it’s almost impossible to correspond with your pals using the format’s text-based tool during peak hours. We thought that a recent firmware update had fixed things, but it seems to depend upon the time that you use it.

Either way, Worldwide Studios executive Shuhei Yoshida has revealed that the manufacturer’s actively working on a fix. “We are aware of the issues and our team is working on them,” the put upon president informed a disgruntled fan. “Sorry for the inconvenience,” he politely added. Aw, how can anyone ever be mad at this guy?

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It seems to us that this is probably a combination of system software and network issues, as messages tend to send fine during non-peak hours, but take an eternity when the United States gets online. Streamlining the whole system would perhaps lessen the load, ensuring that this works smoothly around the clock. That’s just our uneducated opinion, though – honestly, what would we know?

[source twitter.com]

As the Editor of Push Square, Sammy has over 15 years of experience analysing the world of PlayStation, from PS3 through PS5 and everything in between. He’s an expert on PS Studios and industry matters, as well as sports games and simulators. He also enjoys RPGs when he has the time to dedicate to them, and is a bit of a gacha whale.

1
Matt_Berial
Mon 22nd Dec 2014

I noticed when i am on really late at night the messages i send are pretty much instantly sent. But yeah, it does get annoying can't wait for a fix during peak hours.

2
ShogunRok
Mon 22nd Dec 2014

@Matt_Berial Yeah, it's the same for me. I can send messages straight away in the morning or late at night, but any other time and they take about 5 minutes to actually get through. It's pretty ridiculous, but I'm glad Sony seems to be aware of it.

3
rastamadeus
Mon 22nd Dec 2014

Finally, over a year after release it may be possible to send messages properly. How about fixing the app too? Would be nice being able to read a message without waiting half an hour and sending one without it timing out every time. If tiny start-up companies can make messaging apps and create social media phenomeons like Kik, Whatsapp and Snapchat you'd think a massive company like Sony could make an app that sends messages. Too much to ask?

4
get2sammyb
Mon 22nd Dec 2014

@rastamadeus Probably.

5
Matt_Berial
Mon 22nd Dec 2014

@ShogunRok Agreed.

6
Sevenifity
Mon 22nd Dec 2014

I was hoping they will add "Direct Chat Party" application.
So whenever people in the party chat they can directly using keyboard to type, and the text will pop out on the side of the screen, its convenient for people who dont want to use voice chat but still want to keep connected anytime.

7
TheWightMonk
Mon 22nd Dec 2014

How come it worked ok on the PS3!?

8
rastamadeus
Mon 22nd Dec 2014

@get2sammyb Maybe if all these leaked emails had been sent over PSN there'd be now Sony/Interview/North Korea scandal as none of the sodding messages would've been sent.

9
ShoryukenKid
Mon 22nd Dec 2014

I thought firmware update 2.0 fixed that, but like you said it just depends whether I can send messages eventually or even at all. It'll be good when everything finally works smooth (*if)

10
KelticDevil
Mon 22nd Dec 2014

My PS3 messages fine.

Wasn't there an article here about how much easier everything is to do on PS4 than it was on PS3? Hrm.....just sayin'. (Only kidding, Sammy) lol.

11
justerthought
Mon 22nd Dec 2014

The PS3 messages worked just fine and still does. In fact when on PS4 I was firing up the PS3 just to do the messaging because the PS4 was simply unusable. The PS4 OS obviously contributes to the problem, but the real problem is the server resources allocated to the PS4 service when the US is online.

Far too much emphasis is placed on the new advanced social services without even getting the basic text chat social interaction correct first. We now pay for multiplayer so a portion of that money should be allocated to more servers for the messages. It's not fair to direct all those funds towards streaming services so Sony and 3rd party's can make a profit out of our PSN subscription.

The latest OS update has drastically improved things, so I'm really grateful Sony are working on it, but more work is needed to totally nail this problem and make it the transparent process we all expect.

12
wittypixel
Tue 23rd Dec 2014

Yea, there are free apps in the play store that do messaging better than this. Messaging is a simple thing, unless they have some heavy encryption system., this is getting a little embarrassing.