The PlayStation 5 has been a huge success for Sony since it launched in late 2020. Despite supply issues with the console, PS5 has been outpacing PlayStation 4 in terms of units sold, which is a big win for the corporation. Sony has been rolling out PS5 updates regularly to improve the system's firmware, but some fans are more excited about new features for the console. PS5 is loaded with modern gaming features such as ray tracing support, SSD storage, and 4K capabilities, and some gamers have been wondering what's next for the console. There are several key features that Sony should consider adding to the console to help it maintain its popularity and stay competitive with others in the console market.
So far, Sony's game plan with PS5 has been to stick to what has made previous generations so successful. PlayStation 5 has more than two dozen exclusive games in development, which is a huge number even by PlayStation's own standards. Some notable titles among these include the anticipated God of War: Ragnarok and Horizon Forbidden West. This strategy has been paying off for Sony so far, but it's hard to know what's next for the console itself. PS5 boasts several acclaimed features, many of which are related to the DualSense controller, but without a discernible PS5 feature roadmap, fans don't know what new features are lined up and when to expect them.
A PlayStation Equivalent to Xbox's Smart Delivery
One of Xbox's most acclaimed features is Smart Delivery. This allows gamers to know they're playing the best-optimized version of a game, depending on the console they're using. If a gamer is playing a game on Xbox Series X, it'll be optimized for that platform rather than Xbox One. This is part of Xbox's approach to having a seamless ecosystem, and Smart Delivery has been lauded for how uncomplicated it is. PlayStation doesn't have anything like Smart Delivery, which is unfortunate for users on PlayStation consoles. Ensuring a game is the right version for the console being used isn't exactly complex on PlayStation, but it's not as efficient as Xbox.
PlayStation's lack of Smart Delivery, or something similar, has proven to be problematic at times. Games like Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time and Marvel's Avengers encountered issues with their PS5 upgrades, which caused problems for players. Xbox has noticed the PS5 upgrade difficulties, and the company is almost certainly happy to have a more elegant solution in place for Xbox consoles. During a prolonged console generation transition, many games are receiving upgrades for Sony's PlayStation 5. While the process of upgrading games for PS5 has improved, it could be more streamlined, and a solution akin to Xbox's Smart Delivery could be great for console owners. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on game development, which has partly contributed to the number of upgraded games, and it necessitates a smooth-running system for PS5 upgrades.
Boosted Backward Compatible PlayStation Games
While patents have hinted at Sony developing a PlayStation backward compatibility service, nothing has been formally announced. This has been an ongoing concern for a lot of gamers who want to be able to access older PlayStation games, many of which are trapped on older PlayStation consoles, though the console can play most PS4 titles with either digital or disc versions. An all-encompassing backward compatibility service would benefit PlayStation 4 users, but there are some specific advantages that PS5 owners could avail of. Thanks to the PlayStation 5's raw power, older games could get a new lease on life with Sony's newest console.
Xbox's backward compatibility has been celebrated by gamers all over, and Sony should look to take a leaf out of its competitor's book. Having access to a wide range of titles is one thing, but Xbox has boosted some games to perform better on Xbox Series X. Bethesda games like Dishonored and Prey have received upgraded frame rates, thanks to the power of Xbox Series X. If Sony decides to tackle backward compatibility, boosting games on PS5 feels like a no brainer. Taking advantage of the console's power to improve frame rates and visuals could give gamers a reason to explore older titles again. With existing services like PlayStation Now and PlayStation Plus, Sony may already have the infrastructure to facilitate thorough backward compatibility.
PlayStation Home Menu Themes
While it might be a small thing to some gamers, PS5 doesn't currently have themes like PS4. Themes on PS4 were widely praised for their ability to customize and personalize menu navigation, and PS5 could benefit from UI options like this. PS4 themes allow players to make their experience feel more unique, evoke certain feelings, and make navigation a bit more pleasant. PlayStation 5 currently has the same interface for everyone, and it's generally considered to be aesthetically pleasing, but some players want more from their console's front end. This might seem minor when compared to game optimization and backward compatibility, but customization options are usually well received.
Quick Resume for PlayStation
Xbox's Quick Resume feature has been praised for how convenient it makes swapping between games, and it's something that PS5 could benefit from, too. Quick Resume allows games to be suspended in a save state, which can be loaded again at a later point, allowing players to pick up where they left off. PS5's loading speeds are impressive and don't make swapping between games a chore, but a Quick Resume-like feature would make things that bit smoother. While it could be considered a nice to have rather than an essential feature, PS5 gamers could quickly see the benefit in having a feature like Quick Resume.
PlayStation 5 has been well-reviewed since it first launched, but certain features could make the experience even better. An improved focus on backward compatibility could lead to older games being improved on PS5, with titles being optimized painlessly. The PS5 has some great features, notably with its DualSense controller, but some improvements and added features down the line would almost certainly be appreciated by fans.