Sony has outlined the improvements, tweaks, and new features it has in store for the next major PlayStation 4 firmware update, which is due to launch at the end of this month.
Once installed, the system update will allow players to stream gameplay via YouTube, supplementing the service’s recently launched YouTube Gaming mobile app and website.
Other new gameplay-sharing features launching alongside this week’s firmware update include the option to capture screenshots in .png format and a “Request to Watch” feature that gives players the ability to start streaming immediately after receiving requests from friends.
The new update additionally enables video sharing via Twitter, allowing players to capture and tweet up to 10 seconds of gameplay footage at a time. The feature also includes an editing tool, making it easier to trim content to fit Twitter’s time limit.
Many features rolling out with this week’s update target PlayStation Plus subscribers specifically. Members will be able to access a new PlayStation Plus section on the PS4’s system menu that gives an overview of current subscriber-exclusive discounts and free games, along with a list of all previously redeemed content.
PlayStation Plus subscribers will also get a significant boost in online storage space. Starting with this week’s update, PS Plus members can upload up to 10GB’s worth of save data, expanding the service’s current limit of 1GB. Subscribers will also see a new usage meter to monitor storage capacity, ending the stream of notifications that often arrive after users completely fill their allotted storage space.
Other additions planned for the forthcoming update include user-created communities, Favorite Groups functionality for the PS4’s Friends app, and an Events hub that keeps track of updates, official broadcasts, and limited-time online features like Double XP weekends for specific games.
The PlayStation 4’s latest system software upgrade will launch via the PlayStation Network on September 30.
