A major new PS5 feature called "Activities" seems to have leaked online. There have long been rumors that Sony is planning a major overhaul for the PS5's user interface but hasn't revealed any much more than the console's startup screen.
Published today, a Gamereactor.eu preview for Nacon racing sim WRC 9, or WRC 9: World Rally Championship, discussed a PS5 feature called "Activities". The article, which has since been taken down by the site, described Activities as an "instant deeplink" feature that in WRC 9 would allow players to jump into "specific races directly from the console's menu."
This technically isn't the first time that fans have heard about such a PS5 feature, but it is the first time that gamers have heard it called "Activities." In an interview with Wired in October 2019, systems architect Mark Cerny confirmed that the PS5 would offer faster game loading. Cerny described a feature in which players could quickly see a list of "joinable activities" in a game's multiplayer mode while games with single-player content could show players which missions are available and the loot they could get for completing them. The feature would let players jump right into these features.
Bigger questions remain though about how many games will support this feature and when will Sony officially reveal it. It's not difficult to think that other racing games, such as Codemasters Dirt 5 could also use the feature. While Nacom does have a close relationship with Sony, with Nacon having released its own line of PS4 controllers, there's nothing stopping competing racing titles from making use of PS5 Activities too.
Another racer that could (and likely will) use PS5 Activities is PS5 exclusive game, Gran Turismo 7. Racing games are often used as an early showcase of what a console has to offer, such as better graphics and loading capabilities, and Gran Turismo 7 is sure to be part of that. The announcement trailer for the title teased a large map with plenty of things to do and Activities could make it so much easier for players to choose where to start.
Nearly a week ago, a new leak claimed that the next PS5 event will take place on August 6, 2020. This information has not been officially confirmed by Sony. When Sony does hold the next PS5 event though, fans may be in for new game announcements and reveals of features such as Activities.