PlayStation 4 Firmware 5.0 Update Notes Leak, Major Features Missing

There has been some massive buzz surrounding the next firmware update for PlayStation 4, version [...]

By Matthew Hayes

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(Photo: Sony)

There has been some massive buzz surrounding the next firmware update for PlayStation 4, version 5.0. With this latest update we were expecting some of the most highly requested features to finally hit the console, not the least of which is the ability to change our PSN names. Sony has yet to release any official details explaining what firmware 5.0 will do, but today Eurogamer got a hold of the update release notes early and is spilling the beans. In short, some people are going to be very happy, and some people are going to be very upset. First of all, let's go over what is included.

PlayStation 4 Pro Users Are Getting Neat Additions

First up, PS4 Pro owners are going to get a big boost out of 5.0, especially the more socially inclined. With this next big update, the PlayStation 4 Pro will be capable of streaming to Twitch at 1080p, 60fps. This is a big step up from the capped 720p streams that we've known for a while now.

That's not the only big social change, though.

Following Accounts

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With version 5.0, users and gamers will be able to follow anyone's account, just like on Xbox One. Previously it was only possible to selected a curated few accounts to follow, which included developers and YouTube personalities that, let's face it, no one really cared very much for. Now you'll be able to follow anyone you want. According to Eurogamer, the notes state that this is "to encourage more sharing of content and more interactions."

In other words, when your buddy uploads a video clip of himself taking down that one Dark Souls 3 boss you guys have been struggling with, you'll know about it much sooner and be able to watch. You'll also, we assume, be able to get notifications when certain friends go live to stream.

System Notifications and Sub Accounts

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With firmware 5.0, system notifications will be viewable from the quick menu. This is nice, and you'll no longer be forced to exit your game and go back to the main menu to check up on a download, patch, or installation. Changes have also been made to notifications while in VR mode.

Additionally, users will have greater control over sub accounts on their system. If you have kiddos around or family members who use alternate accounts to watch Netflix or something like that, you'll have more options to set restrictions, privileges, and monitor things through a new web application or the refreshed PlayStation App, which is also coming soon.

All of this is pretty neat, we guess, but there are some huge features that we were looking forward to that seem to be missing here.

Where are the PS1 Classics and PSN Name Change?

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Firmware 5.0 was rumored to bring with it two huge changes that fans have been asking for for years. For me, the biggest addition was going to be PS1 classics finally hitting the console. At the moment, the only way to play PS1 games is on your PlayStation Vita or else through remasters like Square Enix's Final Fantasy VII, which hit PSN with some additional features, trophies, and additions. The ability to dish out $10 to play PS1 games in their original state would have been great, but there's no mention of them here in the notes.

Additionally, we all thought that we'd finally get the chance to change our PSN ID's. This is a seemingly basic feature that we've been begging for, but for one reason or another it has alluded us. It is eluding us still, and people are going to be pretty upset about that. I guess that's what we get for entertaining rumors.

So what about it? Are you excited for firmware 5.0, or is the lack of rumored features deflating all of your hype?

Are you still excited?

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