Sony Testing Discord Voice Chat on PlayStation 5 With Beta Users

A new PS5 system software beta has added Discord voice chat and Variable Refresh Rate support for 1440p displays, among a number of other upgrades.

Announced on the PlayStation Blog, the new system software is available for beta participants in the U.S., Canada, Japan, UK, Germany, and France. Its main feature is the addition of Discord voice chat, which allows cross-platform calls through the popular Discord system. Users will need to link their Discord and PlayStation Network accounts to use the service, and then begin a call on the Discord mobile app before transferring it to their console. It seems a little more fiddly than a standard PSN party, but will no doubt be very welcome to those who frequently play with friends who are on Xbox and PC.

The other headline feature of the beta update is Variable Refresh Rate support for 1440p resolution displays. This allows smoother visual performance when using a VR-compatible HDMI 2.1 display, provided the game supports Variable Refresh Rate. VRR can be enabled from your Screen and Video settings.

The new beta also provides a variety of smaller user experience-focused upgrades. These include the ability to share you screen directly from a friend’s profile card; a “Friends Who Play” tile that shows who on your friends list also plays the game you’re looking at; a new manual upload function for sending specific gameplay captures to the PS App; PS VR and PS VR2 filters for the game library; a new PS5 to PS5 data transfer function (available over Wi-Fi or LAN); and a notification pop-up for PS4 games that alerts you to any PS4 save game data you have in the cloud.

There’s also a limited U.S. and UK release for video capture voice commands. This allows users to say “Hey PlayStation, capture that” to save a video clip of gameplay. It’s the Xbox Kinect days all over again.

For more from the world of PlayStation, check out the games coming to PS Plus in February, as well as the news that the PS5 PS Plus Collection is being removed entirely later this year.

Matt Purslow is IGN’s UK News and Features Editor.

Hi-Fi Rush review: it’s a bangers bonanza in this electrifying rhythm-action game

Hi-Fi Rush falls into the latter category. Developer Tango Gameworks shadow-dropped the rhythm-action game out of nowhere shortly after an Xbox presentation, jettisoning The Evil Within’s murky mental hospitals and Ghostwire: Tokyo’s supernatural shinanigans for something markedly different: bright pulsating neon colours and a gang of loveable anime ruffians, where every whack and dodge is underscored by a beat.

Hi-Fi Rush is an action-adventure game with a mechanical core fuelled by musical beats. Protagonist Chai has undergone a risky medical procedure and emerged from the other side with a robot arm and an iPod accidentally implanted in his chest meaning his every waking moment is punctuated by a catchy beat. We too see these rhythmic motions, as Hi-Fi Rush’s soda pop-infused world moves to this steady pulse – platforms move in time with the music, lights flash in pleasing rhythmic patterns, and enemies attack to the beat of the drum.

Read more

PS5 Beta Introduces Discord Voice Chat, VRR support for 1440p, and more

As the PlayStation 5 console continues to evolve, we’re excited to deliver new features to our community. Today, we’re rolling out the next PS5 system software beta with a number of fan-requested features, including Discord voice chat and Variable Refresh Rate support for 1440p resolution. We’re also introducing a variety of UX, accessibility and social feature enhancements that make playing with your friends or enjoying your gaming experiences on the PS5 console easier than ever.

Invited beta participants from the U.S., Canada, Japan, U.K., Germany, and France will receive an email with instructions on how to download the beta and get started. As with previous betas, some features may not make it into the final version or may see significant changes when the final system update releases globally in the coming months.

Here’s a look at some of the new features: 

New Social Features 

  • Join a Discord Voice Chat on Your PS5 Console. You can now join Discord voice chats on your PS5 console and easily chat with friends on most other gaming platforms. To start, link your Discord and PlayStation Network accounts from your PS5 console following these steps*. Then, use the Discord app on your mobile device or computer to get a Discord voice chat going on your PS5 console (make sure your Discord app is updated to the latest version). You can also let your Discord friends see when you’re online and what you’re playing.
  • Note: if you’ve linked your PlayStation Network and Discord accounts in the past to display what game you’re playing, you’ll need to link your accounts again on your PS5 console to grant the new permissions needed for Discord voice chat.
PlayStation 5 UI screenshot showing Discord voice chat

  • Start or Request a Share Screen from Your Friend’s Profile. You can now send a Share Screen request or start sharing your screen with a friend, directly from their profile. Simply select the Share Screen icon on your friend’s profile to start a new session. 
PlayStation 5 UI screenshot showing how to start a Share Screen from your friend’s profile

  • New “Join Game” Icon in Party Chats. On the voice chat card, a joinable icon will be displayed for party members playing a game you can join. You can join the game directly by selecting the player, and then selecting [Join Game] from the menu.
  • New “Friends Who Play” Tile. In game hubs, you can now see which of your friends have the game, who is currently online, and who is currently playing the game. By selecting the tile, you can see what your friends are doing now, and you can also access your friends’ profiles, where you’ll be given more interaction options.
PlayStation 5 UI screenshot showing new “Friends Who Play” tile in the God of War Ragnarok game hub

  • Manually Upload Game Captures to PlayStation App. You can now manually select and upload individual screenshots or game clips to PS App from your PS5 console, then easily share them on social media or with your friends.** This feature complements the auto-upload functionality that currently exists on PS App. 
PlayStation 5 UI screenshot showing the option to manually upload game captures to PlayStation App

New Gameplay and Personalization Options

  • Variable Refresh Rate support for 1440p. You can now enjoy smoother visual performance when using a VRR-compatible HDMI 2.1 display at 1440p resolution, when playing a game that supports VRR.***
  • We’ve also made some updates to the parameters of the PS5 console’s 1440p output test, enabling 1440p support for a wider range of HDMI displays.
    • To check if your HDMI device is compatible, go to [Settings] > [Screen and Video] > [Video Output] > [Test 1440p Output].
PlayStation 5 UI screenshot showing the Variable Refresh Rate setting

  • Game Library Enhancements.
    • You can now also sort and filter games when adding games to a gamelist.
    • You can use filters in your library to easily find PS VR games, as well as PS VR2 titles when PS VR2 launches later this month.
PlayStation 5 UI screenshot showing the option to filter games by PS5 or PS4 in a gamelist

  • Game Presets for Multiplayer Session Preferences. You can set your preferences to manage who can join and who can invite other players to multiplayer sessions you’ve created for supported games. 
    • Go to [Settings] > [Saved Data and Game/App Settings] > [Game Presets] > [Online Multiplayer Sessions], and select your preferences in [Who Can Join] and [Who Can Invite].

New Accessibility and Ease-of-use Features

  • PS4 to PS5 Saved Data Migration. We’re making it easier for you to access your PS4 saved data on your PS5 console through two ways:
    • When you download or install a PS4 game on your PS5 console, a notification that PS4 saved data is available in your PlayStation Network cloud storage will appear (if your PS5 console doesn’t already have saved data for the game). Simply select the notification to download your saved data.
    • When you download or install a PS5 game that can load PS4 saved data, such as the PS5 version of a game that was also released on PS4, the same notification will appear (if the game supports this feature).
    • (Note: online storage for saved data requires a PlayStation Plus subscription)
PlayStation 5 UI screenshot showing the notification that PS4 saved data for Ghost of Tsushima is available to download

  • PS5 to PS5 Data Transfer. You can now easily transfer the data on your PS5 console, including games, saved data, user profiles, settings, screenshots, and videos, to another PS5 console using a local Wi-Fi network or a LAN cable. You can either transfer the data during the initial PS5 console setup or later from the settings menu. This process doesn’t remove or modify the data on your original PS5 console.
PlayStation 5 UI screenshot showing the option to save a video clip through Voice Command

  • Screen Reader Improvements. The screen reader now gives more detailed guidance when navigating the console. It will now tell you which direction you can move from the currently selected component, as well as your current position in a component with multiple items. Additionally, when using the screen reader to view web pages, you’ll now see borders around the section that’s being read aloud.
  • Wireless Device Update for DualSense Wireless Controller. You can now update the DualSense wireless controller device software with a wireless connection. If you have trouble updating the device software wirelessly, connect your controller to your PS5 console using the USB cable to update it. You’ll be able to update wirelessly for the next update.

Game Capture Using Voice Command (Preview): U.S. and U.K. limited release

  • Voice Command now supports using your voice to save video clips of your gameplay.
    • Say “Hey PlayStation, capture that!” to save a video clip of your recent gameplay. The default duration saved is based on your settings.
    • You can also save a specific duration of your gameplay, from 15 seconds to 60 minutes. For example, to save 5 minutes, say “Hey PlayStation, capture the last 5 minutes”.
    • Say “Hey PlayStation, start recording” to manually start a new gameplay recording. You can then say “Hey PlayStation, stop recording” to end the recording and save the video clip.
    • Voice Command (Preview) is currently available in English for beta participants with accounts registered to the U.S. and U.K.

We’re thankful to all our PS5 beta participants for helping us test these new features. Stay tuned for more updates in the coming months!

*When the system update launches globally in the coming months, players who want to enjoy the Discord voice chat feature will be able to link their Discord and PlayStation Network accounts from the Discord app on Windows, Mac or mobile as well, just as you can today. Linking your Discord and PlayStation Network accounts from your PS5 console is only required for beta participants, during the beta period.

**Game clips under 3 minutes long that are non-4K can be uploaded to PS App.

***Results may vary depending on the game being played. 1440p video output on PS5 requires a TV or PC monitor that supports 1440p/60Hz, or 1440p/60Hz and 120Hz. 

Hollow Knight Dev Files New Trademarks For ‘Fearless Fox’

Is a new project in the works?

While we wait for the release of Hollow Knight: Silksong, we’ve got some interesting news to share about the game’s developer Team Cherry. It seems the Australian-based team has recently filed a trademark down under for the words “Fearless Fox”.

According to the Australian Government’s IP Australia website, last month Team Cherry requested its trademark for “Fearless Fox” be expanded to ‘Class 28, 41 and 42‘ to cover a range of products beyond video games such as toys. This trademark was originally filed in 2019 under ‘Class 9‘ – “computer game software” (thanks, NME).

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

EA Has Reportedly Cancelled Its Single-Player Apex Legends Game

Was codenamed Titanfall Legends.

Back in July last year, it was discovered EA and Respawn Entertainment were working on a brand new single-player adventure set in the Apex Legends Universe.

In a new development, Electronic Arts has reportedly cancelled the project, codenamed Titanfall Legends. “Three people familiar with the matter” have apparently confirmed this with Bloomberg. The same article explains how EA gave a “disappointing outlook” for revenue in the current quarter, and as a result, would also be cancelling Apex Legends for mobile.

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Final Fantasy 14’s Latest Raid Sparks Controversy as World First Winners Accused of Cheating

What should have been a celebration of a group clearing the most challenging possible content in Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker has turned into controversy, as the very first team to clear the latest FF14 raid has been accused of cheating.

Except…it’s also kind of not cheating? Depending on who you ask.

The gist is that last week, FF14 patch 6.31 released, including a new, super-hard version of an existing raid: The Omega Protocol. A typical race to be the first raid team in the world to clear it ensued, with a group called Unnamed_ taking the crown on Monday by posting screenshots of their victory. However, not long after, an unlisted video began to circulate showing one of their members using a mod to zoom the camera out much farther than it normally should be able to do, presumably to get a better view on the mechanics. There are also some less-obvious UI mods displayed in the video tracking various elements of the fight.

Per FF14’s terms of service, mods of any kind are not permitted in the game. Unnamed_ has since been disqualified from the race and had its kill revoked both in-game and by a popular logging site. Additionally, a lengthy statement was published on the official FF14 news board from FF14 director Naoki Yoshida, reiterating Square Enix’s stance on third-party tools (none whatsoever permitted) and that unspecified punishments would be enacted for using them. The post additionally condemns the recording and circulation of certain in-game cutscenes and other footage that isn’t intended to be recordable.

“The ultimate raid series is the most difficult battle content within FFXIV, and we release this content after testing that it can be cleared without the use of any third-party tools,” Yoshida wrote. “However, if the presumption is that this content will be tackled and cleared with the use of third-party tools, then any reason to develop high-difficulty battle content seems to be lost. It’s very difficult for me to understand as a gamer what the meaning behind using numerous third-party tools to compete to clear first would be.

“…If the illicit use of third-party tools is made clear through our investigations, I, at the very least, will not recognize that team as the true World First.”

If you’re unfamiliar with FF14, this reads like a game rightfully cracking down on cheaters, but the reality is much more complicated. Third-party tools, mods, add-ons, whatever you call them, are actually extremely common in MMORPGs with raid content, including FF14. A large portion of high-end players will use mods to track boss mechanics, customize their UI to be more helpful, or otherwise make the game more user-friendly. FF14 rival World of Warcraft, a game with similar “World First” races around its most difficult content, has an active high-end raiding scene where everyone publicly uses dozens of mods – if you’re not, you’re dragging the group down. While FF14’s scene isn’t quite that pronounced, it’s still not a secret in the community that many people playing at the top levels are using them. They’re just not broadcasting that use because, well, things like this keep happening.

But all that said, it’s also true that given the crackdown, it’s likely there are a number of teams trying to clear the content without using mods at all. Given the threat of punishment around it, it’s hard to say precisely how common mods are across FF14. So across the community, player reactions seem to be split between people who feel the ban was justified, and others frustrated that such a harsh punishment was doled out for something that they perceive as commonplace. Some are suggesting that while some mods (such as the aforementioned small UI tools) are fine, the camera zoom was what crossed the line. All told it’s a messy situation, unhelped by the fact that there aren’t actually any anti-cheat measures preventing this from happening.

While the community may likely never come to a consensus, modding in FF14 is likely to continue unless Square Enix’s crackdown grows more severe to the point of impacting regular players en masse. That said, having such a prize actively taken away is likely to discourage serious world first hopefuls from trying such a thing in the future.

Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. You can find her on Twitter @duckvalentine.

It’s Official, Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers Are Back (North America)

Here are the full list of games on offer.

After a video was uploaded and then taken offline earlier this week on Nintendo’s YouTube channel, the company has now officially confirmed Switch Online Game Vouchers are available once again in North America.

For the price of $99.98 USD, Switch Online members can purchase a pair of game vouchers and redeem two digital games. Here’s the social media announcement:

Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Secret Single-Player Titanfall Game Reportedly Canceled by EA

Electronic Arts is currently in the midst of a slew of cancellations and closures, the latest being a previously unknown project code-named TFL or Titanfall Legends — a secret single-player game set in the Titanfall and Apex Legends universe. The news was first reported by Bloomberg.

Not much is known about Titanfall Legends save that it was reportedly directed by Mohammad Alavi, who served as a design on the Titanfall games among other projects. Alavi departed EA early last year.

The cancellation coincides with the closure of the mobile versions of Apex Legends and Battlefield, as well as the shuttering of Industrial Toys. According to Bloomberg, roughly 50 developers were affected by the Titanfall Legends’ cancellation. EA will reportedly try to place them in other positions within the company.

Titanfall’s last solo outing was in 2016. It initially sold poorly but subsequently gained a following thanks to its superb single-player shooter design.

“It’s rare that a sequel evolves on every part of the original concept so consistently for the better, but Titanfall 2 is that exception,” we wrote in our review at the time. “Its feelgood movement is the foundation for both the engaging action and platforming gameplay of its strong campaign and its over-the-top competitive multiplayer. With bolstered progression, customization, variety, and a fleshed-out story, Respawn has made good on its original vision with Titanfall 2. And bottom line, it’s just damn fun to play.”

It was succeeded by 2019’s Apex Legends, a battle royale that cut the mechs but retained the setting. Yesterday’s closure of Apex Legends Mobile, coming less than a year after its original release, was a surprise to observers, but EA hinted that it may return.

As for Titanfall, a proper sequel seems further away than ever.

Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.

Amazon Lightning Deal: SanDisk 1TB Micro SDXC Card (Nintendo Switch Compatible) for $99.99

For today only Amazon is offering this Lightning deal: score a SanDisk Ultra 1TB Micro SDXC card for only $99.99, down about 30% from its original retail price of $139.99. This is the same deal we saw during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

If you’ve started compiling a collection of digital games, you probably already know just how limited the Switch’s base storage capacity. With only 32GB of starting space (and some of it reserved for the OS), you’ll barely fit The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Pokemon Sword or Shield, which tap out at 13.5GB each! There’s only one expansion slot in the Switch console so you want to make sure you get the biggest card you can afford.

Black Friday Deals on Nintendo Switch Memory Cards

The SanDisk Ultra Micro SDXC cards are pretty much the exact same memory cards as the ones that have the Nintendo branding on them. In fact, the Nintendo branded cards are also made by SanDisk. The SanDisk Ultra has respectable U1 A1 read and write speeds. There are other more expensive U3 A2 cards that are faster, but If you’re putting this in the Nintendo Switch, it doesn’t even matter. The Nintendo Switch can only support U1 speeds, so a higher rated U3 speed will just be throttled back down to U1 speeds anyways. So make sure your money goes into maximum storage capacity, not maximum speed.

Steam Deck Owners Can Use These Cards Too!

The Switch isn’t the only gaming system that accepts these cards. If you’re a Steam Deck owner, you can also use this card, especially if you picked up the 64GB storage option. This deal may come around on Black Friday, but we highly doubt that it will be any cheaper. You might as well get it now and never worry about running out of space again. Check out our guide to the best SD cards for Steam Deck for more info.

For more deals, take a look at our daily deals for today.