Sony Interactive Entertainment has released the latest software updates for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 today, which add Open and Closed Parties on both platforms, user interface updates on PlayStation 5, and more, the company announced.
Additionally, Sony Interactive Entertainment confirmed that Variable Refresh Rate support is coming to PlayStation 5 in the “coming months.”
Get the details below.
New Features for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4
Thanks to support from our beta participants, we’re introducing some fan-requested features to our global community today, like the ability to create or join Open and Closed Parties on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 consoles. On PlayStation 5, we’re also bringing user interface enhancements to Game Base and Trophy cards, as well as accessibility features like mono audio for headphones.
PlayStation 5 players with accounts registered to the United States or United Kingdom will be able to test drive a Voice Command (Preview) feature that lets them find and open games, apps, and settings, as well as control media playback with their voice (English language setting only).
You can read more about these system update features here.
For a refresher on PlayStation 5 features like how to apply game presets on your console, pin videos and apps to your screen while you play, or share your screen with friends, check out the new “Pro Tips” cards in the Control Center.
PlayStation App and PlayStation Remote Play enhancements
Starting later today, we’re gradually rolling out the ability for PlayStation App users to create or join Open and Closed Parties through the app as well. We’ve also updated the PlayStation App Game Base user interface to make it easier to access the Friends, Parties, and messaging features, delivering a consistent player experience with PlayStation 5.
PlayStation Remote Play mobile app users can enjoy a new “dark mode” based on their phone setting and choose from new Screen Reader languages for both iOS and Android, including Portuguese (Brazil and Portugal), Finnish, Swedish, Turkish, Greek, Thai, and Chinese (Traditional and Simplified).
On the Horizon: Variable Refresh Rate Support for PlayStation 5
We’re also pleased to share that Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) is planned to release on PlayStation 5 in the coming months. On HDMI 2.1-compatible TVs and PC monitors, VRR dynamically syncs the refresh rate of the display to the PlayStation 5 console’s graphical output. This enhances visual performance for PlayStation 5 games by minimizing or eliminating visual artifacts, such as frame pacing issues and screen tearing. Gameplay in many PlayStation 5 titles feels smoother as scenes render instantly, graphics look crisper, and input lag is reduced. Previously released PlayStation 5 games can be fully optimized for VRR through a game patch and future games may include VRR support at launch.
As an added option, you can also choose to apply VRR to PlayStation 5 games that don’t support it. This feature may improve video quality for some games. If this results in any unexpected visual effects, you can turn off this option at any time. Both VRR and this secondary option can be turned on or off.