Update on March 13, 2024: the PS5 system software update is rolling out globally today. Additionally, later this month a PlayStation App update will enable users to enjoy Share Screen interactions on the app as well. As the new year kicks into high gear with an amazing slate of PS5 game releases like The Last of Us Part II Remastered, Tekken 8 and Helldivers 2, along with FINAL FANTASY VII Rebirth, we're pleased to roll out another PS5 system software beta today with a number of quality-of-life enhancements and new features.

While beta access is limited to invited participants in select countries, we plan to release the update globally in the coming months. If you're selected to participate in the beta, you'll receive an email invitation today when it's available to download. Some features available during the beta phase may not make it into the final version or may see significant changes. Let's jump in to the newly added features below.

Launching today, our latest wireless headset, Pulse Elite, brings crisp, immersive audio to the gaming experience on the PS5 console; to PlayStation Link supported devices including PS5, PC, Mac, and PlayStation Portal remote player; and to Bluetooth compatible devices such as smartphones and tablets. Pulse Elite follows the launch of our first wireless earbuds, Pulse Explore, with both audio devices featuring planar magnetic drivers to further enhance the PS5 console's Tempest 3D AudioTech. When combined with PlayStation Link, the planar drivers precisely deliver the output of the 3D audio algorithms directly to the player's ear without loss, and nearly no distortion or delay. Here's our quick-start guide on setting up and using the Pulse Elite wireless headset, along with Pulse Explore wireless earbuds.

Set up and use sidetone and 3D audio features on PS5
A tour of the headset appears when you first connect the Pulse Elite wireless headset or Pulse Explore wireless earbuds to your PS5 console via the included PlayStation Link USB adapter. Before diving into a game, I recommend personalizing 3D audio settings and adjusting sidetone volume (changing this adjusts how loudly you hear your own voice in your ear when you talk). It's also possible to create a custom name for the headset, with standard letters, symbols, and even emoji. After the tour, you can change settings at any time while the headset is connected by navigating to the Settings menu and selecting Accessories, followed by Pulse Elite wireless headset.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink is out now on PC, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. PlayStation Blog sat down with the General Director, Tetsuya Fukuhara, and Director Yasuyuki Kaji from Cygames to discuss the efforts that went into this title. Granblue Fantasy takes place in the Sky Realm, a world where myriad islands float in a great blue expanse. Take your role as captain of a skyfaring crew, joined by a scrappy little dragon named Vyrn and a young girl with mysterious powers named Lyria. Together you sail with a colorful cast of crewmates, including kings and misfits alike, for Estalucia, a fabled island beyond the end of the skies.

PlayStation Blog: Tell us your feelings and thoughts about the launched title.
Tetsuya Fukuhara: Just like most team members, the reality hasn't sunk in yet for me. With the support of the company, we were able to focus on the development of the game, and the demo version received a more positive response than we had hoped for, so I feel all the effort we made to make this title as exciting as possible has paid off.

Best Buy Canada's site listed—by mistake—an entry for a Version 2.0 of Sony's venerable PlayStation 5 DualSense controller—the retailer proceeded to remove the leaked information and imagery, but several news outlets have preserved crucial details. The nixed page advertised a yet to be released "PlayStation 5 V2 DualSense Wireless Controller," that looks identical in appearance to Version 1.0—it even shares the same pricing of CA$89.99. Hooray for no price hiking, if this info is indeed accurate. A couple of internet sleuths have noticed that a Swiss retailer has listed V2 controllers (in white or camo)—these web pages became active back in December 2023.

The standout revelation from this leak appears to be much improved battery life—the Best Buy Canada website entry mentioned V2 being capable of lasting 12 hours on a single charge. Folks familiar with the current PS5 DualSense controller are accustomed to around six hours of usage, before a wired recharge session is required. The listing also outlined a Dual Sense charging station being bundled with Sony's V2 game controller. The sleuths also noted that the next iteration has an advertised weight of 280 g—CFI-ZCT1W AKA "V1" comes in at 360 g. Several online publications have contacted Sony PlayStation for a comment on the situation.

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) today announced the PlayStation 5 console (PS5) has surpassed 50 million units sold through to consumers, three years since its Nov. 2020 launch. Thanks to the support of PlayStation fans globally, the PS5 console has experienced strong momentum this year, driven by a slate of highly popular games and SIE's continued focus on bringing innovation to the gaming experience, including PS5 game streaming for PlayStation Plus Premium members.

"Achieving this PS5 sales milestone is a testament to the unwavering support of the global PlayStation community and their passion for the incredible experiences created by the talented developers from PlayStation Studios and our partners," said Jim Ryan, President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment. "We're grateful for all of our players who have joined the PS5 journey so far, and we're thrilled that this is the first holiday season since launch that we have a full supply of PS5 consoles—so anyone who wants to get one can get one."

We hope you enjoyed the exciting news from yesterday's State of Play, including the first glimpse of the new Deep Earth Collection joining the PS5 family of accessories. The collection introduces three new colors for the DualSense wireless controller and PS5 console covers, all with a smooth metallic finish: molten Volcanic Red, alluring Cobalt Blue, and sleek Sterling Silver.

To share more about the design and process behind this new and vibrant collection, here's Satoshi Aoyagi and Leo Cardoso from our design team. Aoyagi stated: "While crafting this new collection of DualSense controller and PS5 console cover colors, we drew inspiration from the beautiful and powerful hues found in the depths of planet Earth. We elevated the colors by adding a metallic finish for a touch of sophistication."

With the holiday season and a new wave of exciting game releases approaching, today we're pleased to roll out an all-new PS5 system software update globally. Thanks to support from our beta participants, this update includes a number of features from the latest PS5 beta. PS Remote Play is now supported on more Android devices, . Additionally, we're also introducing new features like support for PS Remote Play on more Android devices—providing new options to stream your favorite PlayStation games—alongside some new enhancements coming to PS App in the coming weeks.

Expect new accessibility features, such as using a second DualSense controller for assistance, new audio options that allow 3D Audio powered by Tempest 3D AudioTech to be enjoyed on compatible Dolby Atmos-enabled HDMI devices, new ways to connect with other players and customize your multiplayer sessions, and
support for larger-capacity M.2 SSDs (up to 8 TB).

The Steam store and desktop client will soon be able to help players find games that support DualSense or DualShock controllers. If your game supports either of these devices, you can now enter that information in the Steamworks "edit store" section for your app. Steamworks has a new controller-support questionnaire for developers to better describe the devices supported by the game.

If your game plays well with a DualShock or DualSense Controller (PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 respectively), you can now specify that information within Steamworks. This is the first step toward helping players find games that support the most commonly-used PC video game controllers. Starting in October, we'll show this information to players in the Steam store and Steam desktop client. Here are more details on this new level of support.

Hey everyone, today we are celebrating the launch of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart on PC. Back in 2002, Insomniac Games released the first Ratchet & Clank game on PlayStation. It's been two decades since the series first evolved into an iconic franchise on PlayStation consoles, and now for the very first time, Ratchet and his friends and foes are making the jump to a new platform.

On behalf of everyone at Nixxes Software, we can't wait to hear about your experiences with Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart on PC and look forward to seeing your Photo Mode results. You can help us find your posts by using the hashtag #RatchetPC when sharing your experiences and creations on social media.

What an exciting moment for PlayStation players, as the Insomniac team just wrapped up a captivating panel at San Diego Comic-Con with fantastic new reveals from Marvel's Spider-Man 2. This includes a first look at the PS5 Console - Marvel's Spider-Man 2 Limited Edition Bundle, which features a custom PS5 console cover design and matching DualSense wireless controller.

We were thrilled to debut these stunning designs to our fans today because of how they capture the look and feel of Marvel's Spider-Man 2. The threat of Venom and the symbiote will be one of the most formidable challenges that our two Spider-Men will face in Marvel's Spider-Man 2. This is why we wanted to reflect the intensity of the symbiote and its capacity for transformation and power with a takeover design for the PS5 console and DualSense wireless controller.

When PlayStation VR2 released earlier this year, it offered players a chance to experience virtual game worlds bristling with detail and immersive features. PS VR2 was the culmination of several years of development, which included multiple prototypes and testing approaches. To learn more, we asked PS VR2's Product Manager Yasuo Takahashi about the development process of the innovative headset and PlayStation VR2 Sense Controller, and also gained insight into the various prototypes that were created as part of this process.

PlayStation Blog: When did development for the PS VR2 headset start?
Yasuo Takahashi: Research on future VR technology was being conducted even prior to the launch of the original PlayStation VR as part of our R&D efforts. After PS VR's launch in 2016, discussion around what the next generation of VR would look like began in earnest. We went back and reviewed those R&D findings and we started prototyping various technologies at the beginning of 2017. Early that same year, we began detailed conversations on what features should be implemented in the new product, and which specific technologies we should explore further.

From Akron to the global stage, LeBron James continues to inspire the world with his tireless work ethic, championship spirit and remarkable achievements on the court and in his community. Today, we're excited to share details on how players in select markets can secure our first design collaboration with LeBron and the first ever limited-edition PlayStation accessories co-designed with a cultural icon.

Featuring elements inspired by LeBron's love for gaming and community, the LeBron James Limited Edition PS5 accessories are a true passion project co-created with LeBron. With memorable phrases such as, "Nothing is given. Everything is earned," the accessories feature personal imagery and adages that have been meaningful throughout LeBron's journey as a game-changing athlete, global inspiration for millions, and PlayStation Playmaker.

While accessibility is an important topic year-round, May is always special as we celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day and recognize the strides made by the accessibility community and the games industry to make gaming more inclusive. At Sony Interactive Entertainment, we are committed to furthering that mission, so today we're excited to share new details and images of the Access controller for the PS5 console.

New details and product images
First revealed at CES this year as "Project Leonardo," the Access controller for PS5 is an all-new, highly-customizable accessibility controller kit designed to help many players with disabilities play games more easily, more comfortably, and for longer periods. Developed in collaboration with accessibility experts, the Access controller will include a wide array of swappable button and stick caps so players can freely create different layouts that work for their unique strength, range of motion, and physical needs.

Sony PlayStation and Square Enix are engaged in the process of hyping up blockbuster action role-player Final Fantasy XVI, set for a worldwide release on June 22, and have recently announced some visually striking accessories and interesting hardware bundles - as part of the promotional cycle and eventual release of the sixteenth (mainline) Final Fantasy game installment. Their Japanese marketing teams are collaborating on a custom design PlayStation 5 DualSense controller and console faceplate/cover bearing Final Fantasy XVI-based artwork. The controller's Midnight Black + gold accenting combo creates a very macho aesthetic, which stands in sharp contrast to some of the recent special edition Xbox controllers in terms of color and finish.

The special edition controller and console plate will be sold separately and are scheduled to launch alongside the game and related console bundles on June 22. These Final Fantasy XVI-themed accessories could be exclusive to the Japanese domestic market - Sony and Square Enix have issued information related to pricing in Yen (¥8980 & ¥7980 respectively), and their North American and European sites only make mention of the standard white PS5 console FFXVI bundle being available on the game's launch day.

The latest update for Kojima Productions Death Stranding Director's Cut is bringing support for the latest version of Intel XeSS, DualSense Edge support, and additional minor fixes.

Released over at Steam, the 5 GB update is not a major update and adds support for Intel XeSS 1.1, which brings new advanced XeSS upscaling model improving temporal stability, bringing faster DP4a kernels, and faster XMX kernels. The Intel XeSS 1.1 also adds optional auto-exposure. The new update adds DualSense Edge support as well, with a note that players will need to disable Steam Input and connect their controller with a USB C cable in order to use the full functionality of the DualSense Edge. The update also reduce ghosting, moire, and flickering in the game.

Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today announced the release of the Interhaptics universal HD haptic SDK and directional haptics at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2023 in San Francisco. This free SDK release focuses on enabling a heightened immersive gaming experience, bringing audio and visual effects to life with HD haptic feedback that can now be completely customized through the Interhaptics SDK.

With today's announcement, Interhaptics, the leading haptic technology platform, has expanded its support to include PlayStation 5*, PlayStation 4, Meta Quest 2, X-input controllers, iOS, and Android devices for game engines such as Unity and Unreal Engine. Additionally, the haptic composer software has been upgraded to include in-app testing for DualSense wireless controllers for PS5 and select Razer HyperSense headsets. Interhaptics can now deploy HD haptics on over 5 billion devices across multiple ecosystems. Developers can sign up for the waiting list for the Razer Kraken V3 HyperSense Dev Kit with programmable directional HD haptics at the Interhaptics website.

Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) at the 2023 International CES set up a small but popular booth, drawing crowds to go hands-on with the new DualSense Edge wireless controllers for the PlayStation 5, and the PlayStation VR2 virtual-reality system, besides a few more interesting bits of gaming gear. The new DualSense Edge goes on sale from January 26, and is a feature-packed new wireless controller that offers advanced new-generation haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, the ability to fine-tune stick sensitivity, user-replaceable stick caps and back button, and button-remapping. The premium controller is expected to be priced at USD $200.

The PlayStation VR2 headset launches in February 2023, and works exclusively with the PlayStation 5, for a new selection of VR2-optimized games. The VR2 packs much faster hardware than the original PSVR from 2016, a higher resolution display with a native resolution of 4000 x 2040 pixels, HDR, a 110° FOV, and refresh-rate of at least 90 Hz, that can be pushed up to 120 Hz in certain high-motion scenarios. The VR2 headset features "inside-out" tracking of the user with cameras embedded in the headset determining your body movements, augmenting the inertial sensors. The headset also features eye-tracking, advanced haptic feedback, and improved 3D spatial audio. We also got to see new gray camouflage body scheme for the PlayStation 5, its stock DualSense wireless controller, and Pulse 3D headset, and "God of War: Ragnarok" themed DualSense wireless controllers.

Today, we are thrilled to unveil the DualSense Edge wireless controller for PlayStation 5, the first-ever high-performance, ultra-customizable controller developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Designed to give you an edge in gameplay by allowing you to create custom controls, the DualSense Edge wireless controller invites you to craft your own unique gaming experience tailored to your playstyle.

You can make the DualSense Edge wireless controller uniquely yours by remapping or deactivating specific button inputs and fine-tuning your aim by adjusting stick sensitivity and dead zones (the distance your analog stick moves before it's recognized in a game). In addition, each trigger is adjustable with options to tailor travel distance and dead zones to your preference. For example, you can manually reduce travel distance of the triggers for faster inputs in competitive FPS games or reduce the dead zone for precise throttle control in racing games.

SCUF Gaming, creator of the high-performance gaming controller category, today introduced SCUF Reflex, Reflex Pro, and an inaugural first-person shooter model, Reflex FPS. All three models of the Reflex controller are designed specifically for PlayStation 5 (PS5). SCUF Reflex encompasses all the groundbreaking features synonymous with SCUF excellence, delivering a heightened experience created specifically with PS5 gamers in mind. Reflex, Reflex Pro, and Reflex FPS include the patented paddle control system that helped make SCUF controllers the premier choice of competitive players everywhere - with an evolved controller design to improve performance for PlayStation gamers.

"PlayStation fans are an integral part of SCUF's history," said Diego Nunez, Vice President of Gaming Marketing at CORSAIR. "They desire speed, durability, comfort, and adaptability and SCUF Reflex delivers them all. Our team has spent months perfecting the design to create the optimal PS5 controller. We're proud to have created a controller worthy of the PS5 community that equips them with heightened performance on the newest console generation."

Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today announced they are expanding their rapidly growing console line-up with a series of new wireless headsets and controller charging stands for the PlayStation 5. Through the black and white motifs and signature blue accents, the new Kaira headsets are designed to match the contemporary and modern style of the PlayStation 5 console and DualSense Wireless Controller. Also launching today is the Razer Quick Charging Stand in a range of matching colors to create the perfect pairing to any gamer's PS5 DualSense Wireless Controller.

The Razer Kaira Pro Dual Wireless Headset with Haptics unleashes true console immersion. It is Razer's first wireless headset made for PlayStation 5 that is powered by Razer HyperSense, an intelligent haptics technology that delivers rich, lifelike touch sensory feedback based on audio cues, allowing gamers to submerge their senses in full tactile gameplay. The Razer Kaira Pro is equipped with the tried-and-true Razer TriForce Titanium 50 mm Drivers for absolute clarity while being light enough to ensure comfort over long periods of use.

Santa Monica Studio, a video game developer, seated in Los Angeles and owned by PlayStation Studios, is the creator of the highly successful game God of War. Today, the company announced that they would be releasing a God of War port for PC owners, entering a whole new market. The PC port of the game will allow thousands of players to enjoy the story of Kratos and his adventures with a considerable boost to graphics. According to a company announcement, the PC port will allow fine-tuning of graphics settings, including a range of new technologies to back it.

Some essential upgrades over the console port include native 4K rendering and an unlimited frame rate. The company stated that the ambient occlusion pipeline had been upgraded with GTAO and SSDO tech, creating unique visuals. In addition to that, the game will feature support for NVIDIA's Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) and Reflex low-latency technology. For controllers, the game will feature support for Sony's DualSense and DualShock4 controllers. And last but not least, ultrawide gamers are in luck as well, as the game will support a 21:9 aspect ratio. The game is going to be available on January 14, 2022, on the Steam storefront.

For some PC visuals, check out the images and the video below.

Razer, the leading global lifestyle brand for gamers, today announced several new additions to its expanding console range with the Kaira X for Xbox and Kaira X for PlayStation, the Kaira and Kaira Pro for Xbox White, and Wolverine V2 White Edition. Also launching today is the Razer Universal Quick Charging Stand for Xbox, in a range of vibrant colors that perfectly match official Xbox Wireless Controllers.

"With the new Kaira X, gamers now have even more choice when it comes to picking their perfect Razer headset for either Xbox, PlayStation or PC," said Alvin Cheung, Senior Vice President of Razer's peripherals business unit. "And with the vibrant new range of colors on the Kaira X and charging stands, and the sleek white colors on the Kaira, Kaira Pro, and Wolverine V2, gamers can be as bold and bright as their hardware."

The latest Steam Client Beta update has added initial support for the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller and Xbox Series X/S controllers. The DualSense 5 is supported but advanced features such as rumble, trackpad, and gyro are not yet implemented, it is unknown if Steam will receive full support for these options. The Xbox Series X/S controller should have much better compatibility with this beta fixing an issue with the gamepad appearing twice. This feature is currently in beta and will likely roll out to all users shortly.

The DualSense controller is the official controller for the upcoming PlayStation 5 console and features various improvements over it's incumbent the DualShock 4. The DualSense controller features improved haptic feedback, adaptive triggers for L2 / R2, a new "Create" button to replace "Share", and an integrated microphone array. In a new hands-on leak of the controller, we can see the reported battery capacity of 1560 mAh which represents an increase of 56% over the DualShock 4's 1000 mAh battery. The DualShock 4 pales in comparison to the Xbox One Controller with a capacity of 4200mAh from its 2 AA batteries. The jury is still out on whether or not this capacity increase will offer a tangible battery life improvement considering all the new features.

Microsoft has been praised for its continued support of previous console generations with the latest Xbox Series X maintaining compatibility with some games going back to the original Xbox along with controller and accessory inter compatibility. It seems that for the first few years most games will be released for both the Xbox One and Xbox Series X families of consoles. Sony seems to be taking a much conservative approach and hoping to take full advantage of the new PS5 features and updated DualSense controller to create iconic exclusives for the console.

In a recent interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Sony's Interactive Entertainment's CEO, Jim Ryan confirmed that the company plans to create games "that can really only be enjoyed on PS5." This approach will likely irritate PS4 users who have invested heavily in the console with controllers and other accessories, Sony believes that this approach will help the company to make the most out of their new console hardware.