PlayStation 4 Social Features

One of Sony’s main emphasis on its new PlayStation 4 is to provide the best social experience that the gaming consoles of today are capable of providing. The social experience that the new PS4 provides was one of five major areas that Sony talked about. Sony endows its new console with unprecedented social experience, while also leaving room for the few of those who might not want to use them, by making these features optional. A very wise move, indeed.

The Whole World

Getting into the details of the social features PS4 has, our gaming experience is not limited to us and now has the capacity to be shared to the whole world. The sharing option in Sony’s next generation platform allows the PlayStation Camera to capture moments from our live gaming experience and share them on social-networking websites. A truly amazing edition to an already power-packed console. The Dual Shock 4 controller includes a ‘share’ button, which permits the user to navigate through the last 15 minutes of gameplay and select a screenshot or video clip, which they would want to share. Selected media is then uploaded flawlessly from the console to other PSN users or social networking sites. These websites include Facebook, YouTube and others.

Social Interaction

For people out there who are connected to these social-networking websites closely and enjoy a friend-filled gaming experience, this is the feature to check out. With the streaming feature, such people can broadcast real-time form their gameplay to their friends and the rest of the world. Friends would now be able to see what each one of them are playing and how they are playing. They can also virtually look over each other’s shoulders and interact, providing a whole new gaming experience. The social experience, here, is certainly not limited to just watching our friends play but now friends can even transfer the control of the game to faraway friends, giving single player games a multi-player experience. If permitted by you, they also possess ability to comment on your screens. This experience has never step foot in the gaming world before and its inception by Sony marks a tremendous achievement in gaming innovation.

Video Streaming Services

With rising popularity of streaming services like Twitch, e-Sports, and gaming videos on YouTube, there is no questioning people’s interest in watching others play games. Adding to this the ability to interact with your friends at the same time, make fun of them or encourage them and have a good laugh, the gaming experience will never be the same again. The days, where we sat in our rooms alone and played games on our consoles, are long gone. Now the gaming experience does not have to be a lonely one in the social sense. The connection that Sony has provided us with deserves nothing short of an applause.

According to Ustream co-founder, Brad Hunstable, "Ustream’s integration within PS4 consoles will put gamers on a new media field. They will have the ability to direct, produce, and star in their own video game production, simply by being an awesome (or not so awesome!) gamer." So basically, if this social experience that PS4 brings along has to be illustrated in a nut-shell, we can say that gamers across the world are now connected. They are connected in a way where they can spectate each other’s game, interact with, and assist each other and broadcast live videos of their gameplay via services such as Ustream, allowing friends from all over the globe to view and comment on them.

This social integration has been the subject of much attention by Sony and has caught attention of the entire gaming world, ever since it was announced. It literally takes the gaming experience to a next level. Sony has always strived to deliver standout features and this is one of the best, if not the best, feature its latest PlayStation console has to offer.