Posted Tue Aug 12, 2014 at 10:51 AM PDT by Brian Hoss
Share games with friends online without downloading.
As part of their Gamescom 2014 briefing, Sony has introduced a new feature that is upcoming for the PS4 called "Share Play." Share Play is coming as part of the PS4 System Update 2.0, but it isn't the only new feature. YouTube support will finally be an integrated part of the PS4 expereince and even work directly with the Share button.
With Share Play, players will be able to virtually pass the controller back and forth with their friends online as well as play co-op, which doesn't sound that impressive, until you factor in that those friends online don't need to own the game. Sony is even teasing some no-dowload magic which promises to make this feature very next-gen feeling. All of the 2.00 update, including Share Play is described as coming "this fall."
But what’s the most special I hear you say….Well, the friends you invite DON’T NEED TO OWN OR DOWNLOAD THE GAME! #PlayStationGC
— PlayStation Europe (@PlayStationEU) August 12, 2014
The entire idea of a "virtual couch" means sharing a gaemplay expereince similar to being in the same room. With Share Play, local co-op games will automaitically be palyable online, even games that have already been released like 'Child of Light' and 'Towerfall Ascension.' Of course, the feature is dependant on Sony's promise of "real time" with Share Play. Unsurprisingly, Share Play will require PlayStation Plus.
Naturally, many are expecting more from the 2.00 update, especially after Mcirosoft's USB and DLNA Xbox One support announcement. Fortunately, Sony is teasing that there are more features in 2.0 that they've yet to announce.
From Sony,
The best way to think about Share Play is like a “virtual couch”. PlayStation 4 will create an online local co-op experience by allowing you to invite a friend to join your game—even when they don’t own a copy of it. With this first-of-its-kind feature, you’ll be able to play games with a friend just as if you were together in the same room. Let’s say that with games… you’ll be able to invite your friend online to play against the Miami Heat for the championship as the San Antonio Spurs in NBA2K, tackle the challenging Towerfall Ascension Quest Mode together, or aide, heal, and protect you as Igniculus in Child of Light’s local co-op mode.
With Share Play, you can even jump into a game to assist a friend. For example, if there is part of a game that you can’t quite finish, you can invite a friend to take over your controls. Like handing over the controller to a friend on your couch, your screen will be shared as your friend gets through the part of the game that has been giving you trouble—can’t get past that part in The Last of Us: Remastered when you’re hanging upside down? Get a little help.
Share Play will be coming to PS4 as part of the upcoming system software update v2.00, scheduled for release this fall. The update will also add highly requested broadcast and video share features, including both uploading you game play footage and dedicated app support for YouTube, which we mentioned on stage at E3. Finally, What’s New will get enhanced real-time activity through friend-of-friend suggestions, allowing instant access to friends’ and recently played games’ broadcasts, and a real name search function will also be added. More features to come when v2.00 is made available this fall, and we will have more to announce in the coming months..
Source: PlayStation Blog
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