What Is Playstation Plus And Is It Worth It
Chris Hoffman is Editor-in-Chief of How-To Geek. He’s written about technology for over a decade and was a PCWorld columnist for two years. Chris has written for The New York Times, been interviewed as a technology expert on TV stations like Miami’s NBC 6, and had his work covered by news outlets like the BBC. Since 2011, Chris has written over 2,000 articles that have been read nearly one billion times—and that’s just here at How-To Geek. Read more…
If you have a PlayStation 4, Sonys PlayStation Plus service is required to play multiplayer games online. A subscription costs $10 per month or $60 per year. PlayStation Plus also includes additional benefits, like free games every month and members-only discounts on some digital games.
What Is The Playstation Network
Wondering what PlayStation Network is actually for and what it can do? Then our handy explainer holds all the answers.
If you’ve used a PlayStation console, you’ve probably heard the term PlayStation Network . But what actually is PSN, and what does it do?
Let’s take a look at what the PlayStation Network is, some of the services it offers, and what you should know about it as a PlayStation gamer.
How Can You Change Your Playstation Online Id
Sometimes people just grow;out of their Playstation ids and feel like changing it. Playstation just released the feature to change your online IDs. It’s free for the first time and charges a small fee every other time. You can perform this action on the PS4 or on a web browser.;Follow these steps to change your PSN ID:
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Ps4 Vs Ps4 Pro ‘boost Mode’
- Frame-rate increases can now also be seen in games that haven’t received a Pro patch.
Introduced in PS4 firmware 4.50, ‘boost mode’ is a feature that allows PS4 games that haven’t received a PS4 Pro patch to receive a performance boost when played on the new console. While the exact improvements aren’t fully understood, a Digital Foundry analysis has unearthed performance boosts of as much as 38%.;
Titles tested included Assassin’s Creed: Unity, Battlefield 4, and Project Cars, all of which saw substantial performance increases when running on the Pro, despite not having a Pro patch available.;
Check out the video below for a more in-depth outline of the benefits.;
Playstation Now Gift Cards
Give access to the huge on-demand game library as a gift with a selection of PS Now gift cards, available from online or high street retailers.
PlayStationNow subscription only available to account holders of PlayStation Network ;who are aged 18 and over with access to PlayStation®Store and high-speed internet .;;
PS Store and PS Now subject to terms of use and country and language restrictions. Service availability is not guaranteed. For PS Now on PC, minimum system requirements apply and can be found at;www.playstation.com/psnow-pc-faq. PS Now games may differ from or lack some of the features that can be found in downloaded or disc-based games. ;Games included in PS Now are subject to change at any time.; Approved payment method details required. PS Now subscription is an ongoing subscription with a recurring subscription fee which is charged every month .
1If eligible for a trial and you do not cancel your PlayStation Now trial prior to the end of your trial it will automatically roll into a paid-for ongoing subscription on that basis. ;Current and/or previous PS Now subscribers/trialists are not eligible for a trial. PS Now trials not available to current and/or previous PS Now subscribers/trialists and only 1 trial is available per user. Full terms apply: PSN Terms of Service at;playstation.com/legal. For further important information about PS Now go to;.
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How Do The Free Games Work
Every month, Sony offers several free games to PS Plus subscriberssometimes known as Instant Game Collection games. During the month these games are available, you can choose to buy them for free on the PlayStation 4. You can then download the game for free. You get to keep it, tooyou can download and play it a year from the day you purchase it, if youre a subscriber.
If you dont redeem the game while its free for a month, you dont get it for free. This means you wont get any of the previously free games when you subscribe to PlayStation Plus. It also means that, if you dont download your free games every month, youll miss some and wont get them for free. However, gamers who have been members of PS Plus for a long time may have a library full of hundreds of games they acquired for free.
You can only download and play these free games while you have an active PlayStation Plus subscription. If your subscription lapses, you wont be able to play the games. If you restart your subscription, youll regain access to all those free games you previously acquired and you can play them once again
You can view the current free games for PS Plus subscribers on Sonys website, and a list of games Sony has previously given away on Wikipedia. As of August 2017, youll see quite a few indie games and older big-budget games.;Dont expect the latest big-budget games on their release date, although you may see them for free several;years after their release dates.
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Playstation Music And Playstation Video
While most of PlayStation Network’s content revolves around video games, Sony offers other types of content on it, too.
PlayStation Music, which is now powered by Spotify, lets you enjoy Spotify’s extensive music catalog on your PS4. You can open the app to enjoy music through your TV, or even use the Quick Menu to listen while you play. Spotify Premium isn’t required, so it’s a handy feature if you don’t like a game’s built-in music.
PlayStation Video, meanwhile, is a digital video service similar to iTunes, Google TV, or Amazon’s Prime Video. You can rent or buy movies and TV shows to watch on your PlayStation console or mobile device.
What About The Ps5
You might have a valid reason for only being able to choose between a PS4 and a PS4 Pro, but most people should also factor in the newest PS5 console into their decision-making too if they can afford to.
That’s because the PS5 really is one fantastic console. Rather than being a small step up from the PS4 , this is a true next-gen gaming experience. One which we hope will only get better as more titles arrive on the PS5 line-up.;
The console is powerful and ramps up performance compared to the PS4 and PS4 Pro. When it comes to the specs, the PS5 is a technically impressive console. Including the new custom RDNA 2 GPU that can push 4K resolution at 120 frames per second, and the octa-core AMD Zen 2-based CPU with a 3.5GHz clock speed.
Add on 16GB of GDDR6 memory and the NVMe SSD and this is a machine with some seriously good-looking specs.
What’s more, Sony has re-imagined almost every key part of the gaming experience from a simpler setup and new well-thought-out user interface, to a revolutionary controller and added bonuses for PS Plus members. The result is a console that we can’t help but be hugely impressed with.;
Check out our PS5 review and where to buy PS5 guide though be warned that stock can be hard to get hold of.
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What Is Playstation Now And Is It Worth It
Cameron Summerson is the Editor in Chief of;Review Geek;and serves as an Editorial Advisor for How-To Geek and LifeSavvy. Hes been covering technology for nearly a decade and has written over 4,000 articles and hundreds of product reviews in that time. Hes been published in print magazines and quoted as a smartphone expert in the New York Times. Read more…
The nostalgia of playing old school PlayStation games is awesome for a lot of us, but without having every generation of console, it can be difficult to get in on some of the best titles of yesterday.;PlayStation Now, Sonys online game streaming service,;is the solution to that quandary. But man, is it really worth coughing up an Andrew Jackson every month just to play classic titles?
Playstation 4 System Software
The PlayStation 4’s operating system is called “Orbis OS”, based upon a customized FreeBSD 9.
The console does not require an Internet connection for usage, although more functionality is available when connected. The PS4 is the first to include a WebKit-based web browser, which is a departure from its predecessor’s NetFront browser; it is based on the same modern WebKit core as and Safari, giving it high compatibility in HTML5 compliance testing.
The console introduces a customizable menu interface, the “PlayStation Dynamic Menu”, featuring a variety of color schemes. The interface displays the player’s profile, recent activity, notifications, and other details in addition to unlocked trophies. It allows multiple user accounts, all with their own pass-codes. Each player account has the option to share their real name with friends, or use a nickname in other situations when anonymity is important. profiles can be connected to PlayStation Network accounts, making it easier to recognize friends. The default home screen features real time content from friends. The “What’s New” activity feed includes shared media, recently played games, and other notifications. Services from third-party vendors, such as Netflix and , can be accessible within the interface.Multitasking is available during gameplay, such as opening the browser or managing party chat, and switching between applications is done by double-tapping the “PS” button.
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Ps4 Vs Ps4 Pro: 4k Tv Performance
- PS4 Pro supports 4K/HDR
- Original PS4 just supports HDR
- Developers decide how to use the extra power
This is the big one the main reason it’s worth making the jump from the original hardware to the PS4 Pro. The PS4 Pro supports 4K output, as opposed to the standard PS4’s Full HD 1080p resolution.
When it comes to streaming services such as Netflix this means that the console is able to play movies and TV shows in their maximum resolution but unfortunately the lack of an Ultra HD Blu-ray drive means that the console will not be able to play physical 4K media.
The PS4 Pro supports 4K output, as opposed to the standard PS4’s Full HD 1080p resolution
Games are slightly more complicated because it’s up to developers to decide how they want to use the PS4 Pro’s extra muscle. We’re seeing it bear more fruit now the jacked-up console has been on the market for a while.
In our review of God of War, for example, we found the PS4 Pro version came with two separate graphics modes: one which favors resolution, displaying the game at checkerboard 2160p , and another which favors performance, lowering the resolution to 1080p but displaying at a framerate that’s closer to 60fps .
The one you choose will obviously come down to your personal preference. Camera movement is much, much smoother in performance mode, though the drop in visual detail is noticeable ;especially in game, where the level of detail seen at 4K is so high.
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate Ps5
One of the best fighting games of the PS4 generation has also become one of the best fighting games on PS5 too with Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate the definitive version of one of the best fighting games of the last decade. With a massive, sprawling roster of completely different combatants and enough content to rival most RPGs, Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate would make a stellar addition to the PlayStation Plus September 2021 free games line-up.
You can catch up with our review of Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate on PS5 here.
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Playstation 4 Vs Playstation 3 And Vita
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On the PlayStation 4, Sonys PS Plus works exactly like Xbox Live Gold on the Xbox One. Its required for online multiplayer gaming.
However, if you have a PlayStation 3 or PlayStation Vita, PlayStation Plus is not required for online multiplayer gaming. You can play online games for free. PS Plus still gives you access to some free games and sales if you have a PS3 or Vita, but its much less critical than it is on a PS4.
New Savings On Playstation Store
Deep discounts, curated collections and seasonal sales on PS5, PS4 and PS VR hits, all in one place.
Gain instant access to a huge collection of more than 800 PS4, PS3 and PS2 games on PS4 or Windows PC, with new games added every month.
Gain instant access to a huge collection of more than 800 PS4, PS3 and PS2 games on PS4 or Windows PC, with new games added every month.
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Playstation Network Connects Playstation Gamers
As we’ve seen, PlayStation Network makes all the awesome online features of modern PlayStation systems possible. Be sure to also protect your PSN account with two-step verification. Whether you’re browsing the PlayStation Store or streaming a game over PS Now, PlayStation Network powers your experience.
Image Credit: BONDART PHOTOGRAPHY/Shutterstock
Ps4 Vs Ps4 Pro Optical Drive
- Both systems have Blu-ray drives
- Neither are capable of 4K Blu-ray playback
This is a particularly sore spot for Sony’s latest system. Despite initial speculation to the contrary, the PS4 Pro does not include an Ultra HD Blu-ray player it can play Full HD 1080p Blu-ray discs just the same as the original PS4.
Sony’s decision to omit a Ultra-HD Blu-ray drive from the system is puzzling, considering that Blu-ray support was one of the major boons of the PS3. Now, Sony might be saving that for another console down the road… but considering that Microsoft’s Xbox One S already has the high-end disc drive, it would’ve benefitted Sony to launch the Pro with one as well.
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Ps4 Vs Ps4 Pro Key Differences
One of the main differences when it comes to the PS4 vs PS4 Pro question is resolution: whereas the original PS4 is limited to 1080p, the newer PS4 Pro can go as high as 2160p or 4K, as it’s more commonly known.;However, games need to have been specifically updated to take advantage of the 4K on the PS4 Pro you can see a comprehensive list of older games that have been updated here.
Ultimately it’s up to game developers themselves to issue those patches and make the most of the more powerful hardware that the PS4 Pro offers. If there’s no PS4 Pro mode in the game, then you can’t get true 4K resolutions.
The good news is that, going forward, all new PS4 games have to include a ‘Pro Mode’, enabling them to make the most of the Pro’s enhanced hardware. It’s also worth bearing in mind that even if an older game hasn’t had the PS4 Pro patch, it’s still probably going to look better on the more expensive console.
Don’t forget that in order to see 4K HDR graphics in all their glory on your PlayStation 4 Pro, you’re going to need a 4K HDR TV to match an older 1080p screen won’t see much of a benefit, apart from a few extra frames here and there.
For a more recent example, check out the Death Stranding PS4 vs PS4 Pro comparison on YouTube below.
Second Screen And Remote Play
Smartphones and tablets can interact with the PlayStation 4 as second screen devices, and can also wake the console from sleep mode. A Sony Xperia smartphone, tablet or the PlayStation Vita can be used for streaming gameplay from the console to handheld, allowing supported games to be played remotely from around a household or away from home. Sony has ambitions to make all PS4 games playable on PlayStation Vita. Developers can add Vita-specific controls for use via Remote Play. This feature was later expanded to enable PS4 Remote Play functionality on Microsoft Windows PCs and on Apple OS X Macs. The update, released in April 2016, allows for Remote Play functionality on computers running Windows 8.1, Windows 10, OS X Yosemite, and OS X El Capitan. Remote Play supports resolution options of 360p, 540p, and 720p , frame rate options of 30-60 FPS, and the DualShock 4 can be connected via USB.
The PlayStation App allows iOS and Android mobile devices to interact with the PlayStation 4 from their device. The user can use this application to purchase PS4 games from the console and have them remotely downloaded, watch live streams of other gamers, and/or view in-game maps while playing games.
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Sign In To Playstation Network
To sign in to PlayStationNetwork, select > > .For details on PlayStationNetwork, see “PlayStationNetwork“.
- PlayStationNetwork is available only in certain countries and regions, and in certain languages. For details, visit the customer support website for your country or region.
- After you sign in, you remain signed in until you manually sign out.
- After your first sign in to PlayStationNetwork, the username displayed changes to the real name registered with your account.