The Official PS4 Thread

[Don Vito Corleone]

I got my PS4 today and set it up after work. I have it plugged into a Kinivo 501BN HDMI switch I had never used before, which is in turn plugged into my Denon AVR-3808ci, to my Samsung E51F8500. (I had to use the switch because I am using all the HDMI inputs on my receiver).

Initially, with the factory software, all was NOT well. For some reason it was not using the whole screen, with black bars on the top, bottom and sides. There was also no sound. I was able to get it onto my wi-fi network and tried to install the software update, but that failed. I then tried installing it via a USB drive. The first time I tried, the system shut itself down during the install process and it would not seem to restart (or at least show anything on screen) for several tries. I didn't know whether the HDMI switch was to blame for any or all of the above problems, so was prepared to take it out of the loop, but on about the fifth try I got it going and installed the software update from USB.

Once the software update was in place, all of the above problems went away. The interface is beautifully elegant and everything looked great. I got set up with PS+ and downloaded Resogun. I got the Amazon video app installed and running, which was a priority because I am a Prime member and none of my other streaming boxes (including an Oppo BDP-93, an AppleTV, and an Xbox 360) has Amazon streaming. I tried watching Skyfall and it looked awesome.

I have installed Battlefield 4 and played it for about a half hour. Looks and sounds amazing. I am not totally used to the DS4 controller after years with only using Xbox Mk 2 and Xbox 360 controllers, but I imagine I'll get used to it.

Anyway, so far so good, now that I'm up and running! I have Killzone and Madden to play with as well, so it should be a fun weekend.

 

[sze5003]

Not sure about psn being offline all day. At first when I got my system at 11am I could not logon. After a few tries, I was logged in all day. Played ghosts mp pretty much all day, then downloaded resogun and contrast. Contrast is buggy and it's hard to figure the puzzles out with all the shadow stuff too.

Haven't tried resogun yet. Also played killzone and then more multiplayer on cod. So I've been logged on all day. Not sure what issues they are having. One thing I noticed is that on ps3 I could download something really quickly but on my ps4 it takes forever. Took 45 minutes to install the online update for cod ghosts. My friend downloaded it in 10 minutes so I'm not sure what's going on.

They kept the same UI so customers would be familiar with it. Xbox one ui looks like windows 8. I'm not a fan of the big square apps all on the screen.

 

[Bill Brasky]

Epic fail for Sony and the PSN being offline until Monday rumored.

https://support.us.playstation.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/237

There is no excuse for that, they knew exactly how many systems were pre-ordered and can get a very good idea of what the load would be.

I am very confident Xbox Live will work a million times better on launch day and afterwards as usual.

Another note, Sony's UI looks antique, the X360 has a better UI.

The Xbox One has a terrible UI that looks like Windows 8, the PS3 has a better UI.

....

But really, I'm logged into PSN right now.

 

[chimaxi83]

Epic fail for Sony and the PSN being offline until Monday rumored.

https://support.us.playstation.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/237

There is no excuse for that, they knew exactly how many systems were pre-ordered and can get a very good idea of what the load would be.

I am very confident Xbox Live will work a million times better on launch day and afterwards as usual.

Another note, Sony's UI looks antique, the X360 has a better UI.

Are you an Xbox troll? I can't be bothered to check the thread.

 

[Aikouka]

For some reason it was not using the whole screen, with black bars on the top, bottom and sides.

Sounds like you were seeing the PS4's overscan. Although, I'm not really sure why....

Anyway, so far so good, now that I'm up and running! I have Killzone and Madden to play with as well, so it should be a fun weekend.

You mentioned Resogun, but never anything that you've played it. You should definitely give it a shot! Housemarque makes a lot of good games, but I get the feeling that they tend to fly under the radar a lot. An example is Outland, which is a good platformer for the PS3 and XBOX 360 that uses Ikaruga-like polarity switching.

 

[Rage187]

Just played Resogun via remote play. Was absolutely flawless. Exactly what I wanted. If you haven't bought a vita yet! now is the time. I got one used off Craigslist for just over a hundred.

 

[jpiniero]

Are you an Xbox troll? I can't be bothered to check the thread.

I don't think Sony understands what "offline" means. Lost in translation?

 

[Bill Brasky]

Just played Resogun via remote play. Was absolutely flawless. Exactly what I wanted. If you haven't bought a vita yet! now is the time. I got one used off Craigslist for just over a hundred.

Super lucky. I want to play resogun so baaddddddd. And I'm going out of town on Monday for a whole week for work.

 

[Xed]

Are all of the reports of doa ps4's an Amazon packaging issue, widespread, or trolling?

 

[mmntech]

PSN is offline? I logged in just fine on the first try, downloaded the update, and got a couple of the free PS+ games downloading right now. Messed around with Remote Play on the Vita. Have yet to try any games but the menu system runs smooth with no noticeable lag, even over WiFi.

It won't be replacing my PS3 anytime soon though. It's still by and far the superior system for media playback. Feels like Sony cut corners there to get these things pushed out the door for Christmas. I expect CD and local music support, and YouTube playback will be added via firmware update sooner rather than later. Or at least they'd better be.

I've got it sitting on my desk, plugged into my 27'' monitor right now. Not sure where I want to stick it permanently. Just not in my media centre right yet.

 

[drquest]

Considering I've logged on for the first time in the last 2 hours, this isn't correct.

Yes it's working for me as well. Had some issues logging in earlier but it's working now.

 

[Anteaus]

I expect CD and local music support, and YouTube playback will be added via firmware update sooner rather than later. Or at least they'd better be.

I hope you're right. The problem is that Sony has a track record for removing but not adding functionality after the fact. I just don't get why they were left out in the first place. I get that they don't add anything to gaming, but air conditioning and air bags don't make the car go any faster either. Especially CD audio, since Sony developed it.

I guess when gamers told Sony they wanted a game console and nothing else, Sony thought about all the $$$ they would save. Major mistake. I hope this doesn't end up being an oversight that costs Sony the lead they won over the DRM thing. I doubt it will affect November sales, but it could skew numbers by Xmas.

 

[zerocool84]

All I have to say is DAMN, Killzone is an incredible looking game. For a first generation title it looks awesome, plus running at 1080p is great.

 

[jpiniero]

It won't be replacing my PS3 anytime soon though. It's still by and far the superior system for media playback. Feels like Sony cut corners there to get these things pushed out the door for Christmas. I expect CD and local music support, and YouTube playback will be added via firmware update sooner rather than later. Or at least they'd better be.

Doesn't the PS4 include a web browser? I think I saw somewhere that html5 video might work.

 

[SandEagle]

well, i just bit the bullet and bought it online. amazon has a few bundles available now. i got the ps4/battlefield 4/PSplus deal for $499. should be here by tuesday.

wasnt sure whether to get bf4 or killzone, so just settle with bf4. would have preferred cod ghosts but that wasnt an option. bf4 bundle comes with bonus battlepack that contains combination of new weapons accessories, tags, xp boosts, customizations, etc

 

[exdeath]

All I have to say is DAMN, Killzone is an incredible looking game. For a first generation title it looks awesome, plus running at 1080p is great.

Using blues and reds instead of just green and brown makes for some damn pretty shooters

See: UT2004

 

[Adrenaline]

Epic fail for Sony and the PSN being offline until Monday rumored.

https://support.us.playstation.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/237

There is no excuse for that, they knew exactly how many systems were pre-ordered and can get a very good idea of what the load would be.

I am very confident Xbox Live will work a million times better on launch day and afterwards as usual.

Another note, Sony's UI looks antique, the X360 has a better UI.

Epic fails like this happen to Blizzard for each release.

 

[ManBearPig]

Damn, I'd really like to play Killzone but don't think I'd get $45 worth out of it (there's a deal on eBay).

 

[IEC]

Are all of the reports of doa ps4's an Amazon packaging issue, widespread, or trolling?

Possibly too early to tell, but it is likely trolling.

According to IGN/Sony, the failure rate is < 0.4%:
http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/11/14/broken-playstation-4-systems

 

[Cuda1447]

well, i just bit the bullet and bought it online. amazon has a few bundles available now. i got the ps4/battlefield 4/PSplus deal for $499. should be here by tuesday.

wasnt sure whether to get bf4 or killzone, so just settle with bf4. would have preferred cod ghosts but that wasnt an option. bf4 bundle comes with bonus battlepack that contains combination of new weapons accessories, tags, xp boosts, customizations, etc

Good call. I just checked, figuring it'd be weeks until I could get one. Nope. Picked up the BF4 bundle. Two day delivery, I'll get it Tuesday. Not to shabby. These prices on craigslist won't last long.

I was really torn between KZ4 and BF4. Hell, I want NBA 2k14 and COD as well!!!

 

[Aikouka]

So, I went out looking for a charging stand tonight, and sheesh, my local Target is definitely not the place to go for PlayStation 4 stuff. Either I'm blind, or there isn't a single game there for the console or even a spot that I saw for them. All they had were controllers and cameras, which meant I needed to go elsewhere for a charging stand... Walmart. Although, it actually turned out well because Walmart had the Power-A charger for only $19.99, which is cheaper than anywhere else that I've seen.

 

[Alienwho]

So far I have buyers remorse for this thing. Nothing online is working or loading for me. Everything just spins or gives a network error. This has a fraction of the capability of the PS3. I mean it can't even play a CD are you kidding me? The browser sucks, it's laggy and the control is terrible and of course they don't let you stream online content through the browser. It doesn't use the link feature on my TV like the PS3. All I had to do was turn on the ps3 and it would turn on my TV and I could use my TV remote to navigate it (just a regular samsung LCD tv). Of course this doesn't work on the PS4. The ps4 android app barely works and only works on the home screen (eg once you open amazon instant video the phone app doesn't allow you to navigate through the shows). Every single thing I want to do with this machine you can tell sony went out of their way to handicap and disable things.

And of course my wife sits here asking questions that I don't want to answer and making me feel like an asshole. "Can we plug in our PS3 eye camera to it?" no. "Can we play the PS3 games on it?" no. "So you're saying I can't play our PS3 version of just dance on it?" no. "Can we stream amazon instant video to it?" Yes! except I can't connect right now..so no. "well lets just watch an episode of arrested development" uhm sorry that's a divx and the PS4 won't stream it. "But the PS3 did just fine". Yes it did. "Well just put on some music then". Uh...can't stream our mp3s either. "Well it'll play pandora right?" No. "Can we watch youtube on it?" no.

Freakin' A man a HUGE disappointment. And of course I can't even hop on to play some multiplayer BF4 because it can't connect. What was I thinking being an early adopter.

<edit> found the anynet control option, it had to be enabled. That's nice.

I also got some time in with BF4 in the practice mode (cause it couldn't connect to a server) and it is looking good.

 

[hans030390]

Epic fail for Sony and the PSN being offline until Monday rumored.

https://support.us.playstation.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/237

There is no excuse for that, they knew exactly how many systems were pre-ordered and can get a very good idea of what the load would be.

First, I don't think the outages will be quite that severe, as someone else mentioned. Second, I used to think the way you do until I started working in an enterprise-class IT environment that has millions of customers in the country. While, yes, it's possible for things to go smoothly with large launches like this (much easier for companies like MS that are ginormous and already have a huge presence in the IT market), it's generally just the nature of the beast. Impatient gamers tend not to understand this, but it's OK, as they tend to forget rather quickly as well (as they should). There is much, much more going on behind the scenes than most realize.

The fact that I've even been able to get on at all with some sort of consistency surprised me.

I may want to try knack. Do they have a demo out? Killzone is kind of weird for me to get used to. Feels like there is a ton of enemies coming at you all the time. The UI is odd, the area that has your stats has too many items in it. Overall it's fun but tough.

I noticed this on the first level. You are given many more choices than in KZ2 (didn't play much of KZ3), but I don't remember KZ2 being as difficult as Shadow Fall. The AI seems to call for reinforcements right away and find ways to overwhelm you pretty quickly. That said, I'll have to play more to see if it's really as tough as I've seen so far or if I'm still just a noob at it.

 

[Geosurface]

I'm glad I resisted the temptation to get one at launch. I took forever to get a PS3 and I benefited from doing so.

By the time I got a PS3 there were a lot of games out I could get for cheap, and everything was nice and stable. I picked up a Slim, which in my opinion is the best looking and most reliable PS3. I'm no expert, but I've heard nightmares about other iterations of the PS3 and I most certainly like the look of the Slim the most. It was pretty affordable too. I think I got it for like $200.

I'm very uneasy about all these hardware and software problems I'm hearing about on the PS4. I'm sure it really is just a small % of systems with hardware problems... but it's troubling when multiple major review sites ended up with some sort of problem. That makes it feel pretty widespread.

Hopefully these are just birthing pains for the system, and the core hardware is solid and the software just needs to catch up to it.

Killzone looks cool although I struggled to get into the one I own, I think it's Killzone 3.

I hope they announce a Last of Us sequel for PS4. That will make an eventual purchase of the system mandatory for me. Frankly it is likely I will eventually get one regardless of that. But I could stand to wait for a later edition of the hardware, and a cheaper price.

I'll probably eventually get an XBone too. My plan has been to get the PS4 first... but the more I think about it, the more I really figure I should wait as long as possible on both. Let the game libraries build up... let the price on the system come down...

The biggest turn off right now for me is the lack of backward compatibility since I still have PS3 games to make my way through, and the loss of media functionality. I use my PS3 for a lot of streaming, sometimes. It's my Netflix device, too.

 

[Subyman]

Are all of the reports of doa ps4's an Amazon packaging issue, widespread, or trolling?

My ps4 is fine, but amazons packing was crap. The ps4 sat at the bottom of the box with all the bubble wrap on top of it. Pointless. One drop and it would have been finished.

Btw Psn has been fine for me. I started using mine about 5 hours ago. No down time and I downloaded 3 games plus the firmware at full network saturation.