Gaming

PS5 update brings M.2 SSD storage expansion

With 3D Audio for TV speakers, new UX features

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PlayStation 5

The PlayStation 5 is getting pretty useful upgrades in the latest update coming to Sony’s gaming console. These include the much awaited M.2 SSD storage expansion, 3D Audio for TV speakers, as well as new UX features and customization.

M.2 SSD Storage Expansion

PS5 Update

This feature was in beta a few months ago but now it’s making its way to all PS5 owners. M.2 SSD is a type of high-speed solid state drive that can be installed in the PS5 console or PS5 Digital Edition console.

When added, the additional storage can be used to download, copy, and launch PS5 and PS4 games, as well as media apps. Players will be able to freely move games from the internal storage to the external storage as they please.

However, it can’t be just any M.2 SSD. It has to meet the following specifications:

  • Interface — PCI-Express Gen4x4 supported M.2 NVMe SSD (Key M)
  • Storage — 250GB to 4TB
  • Supported Sizes — 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, 22110
  • Size including heat-dissipation mechanism — Width: up to 25 mm / Length: 30/40/6080/110 mm / Thickness: up to 11.25 mm (up to 8.0 mm
  • from above the board, up to 2.45 mm from below the board)
  • Sequential read speed — 5500 MB/s or faster is recommended
  • Socket Type — Socket 3 (Key M)

SEE ALSO: Best M.2 SSDs compatible with the PlayStation 5

3D Audio for TV speakers

PS5 Update

3D audio was only previously compatible with PS5 supported headsets. Now, it’s coming to TV speakers. Players only need to go to the Sound Menu to enable the feature. The mic on the Dual Sense controller are used to measure the acoustics in the room.

What it does is turn standard two-channel TV speaker audio into three-dimensional sound for a more immersive experience.

New UX features

Aiming to improve the whole user experience, PlayStation added the following in the update:

  • Control Center customization — Players can now freely rearrange or choose which controls to hide or unhide at the bottom of the screen.
  • Enhanced Game Base — Easily view and write messages to friends and Parties directly from Game Base in the Control Center.
    Game Library and Home Screen updates — Installed PS4 and PS5 versions of the same game will now appear separately in the “Installed” tab of the Game Library and on the Home screen. Each game’s tile now also clearly indicates its platform.
  • Screen Reader controls — Players can now pause or resume Screen Reader (Press “PS + Triangle buttons”) and have it repeat anything it reads (Press “PS + R1 buttons”).
  • New Trophy tracker –– A new Trophy Tracker that lets players quickly access up to five trophies per game through the Control Center.

Other enhancements include resolution control on PlayStation Now and a brand new accolade type.

Watch the walkthrough video below to see all the updates.

Deals

Sony Days of Play: Discounts on DualSense controllers, titles

It’s that time of the year

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Days of Play

The time has come for Sony’s annual Days of Play, offering gamers special deals on DualSense Wireless Controllers and software titles from June 2 to 12.

During the sale period, Sony’s DualSense Wireless Controllers will retail for a special price of PhP 2,990.

The controller is available in White, Midnight Black, Cosmic Red, Starlight Blue, Nova Pink, Galactic Purple, and Gray Camouflage colorways.

Popular PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 (Blue-ray Disc version) titles will also get special prices during the promo period:

Meanwhile, PlayStation 5 consoles are now available at all authorized retailer stores.

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Features

Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores sways both ways

And why shouldn’t it?

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Burning Shores, Aloy and Seyka

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD


It’s been more than a month since the release of Horizon: Forbidden West’s DLC, Burning Shores and the reviews came in hot. There were plenty of raves that the game is a treat as are the visuals. But what really made the most waves on the is that the fiery redhead heroine gets a partner. In more ways than one.

Aloy was first introduced in Horizon Zero Dawn as an outcast, so being on her own was expected. Understandably, when you’re treated like a pariah since childhood, warming up to people isn’t exactly second nature.

The burden of being The One

Burning Shores

She picks up new friends, even some potentially interested parties along the way but the game steers us from expecting that they’ll be tagging along for the long run. By the game’s sequel, she is still Ms. Independent, but with blossoming character development in terms of her interpersonal relationships

While there’s a bit of attraction and tension with men and women alike thrown in-game, Aloy never gets into anything no matter how hard you try to flirt. (Yes, we tried). Horizon clearly didn’t focus on finding her mate, given that there is indeed a lot on Aloy’s plate.

She even admits in dialogue that her mission as The One created to save the world, is a full-time occupation that she can’t think of anything else. Fair enough, you go do what you gotta do, girl.

Along came Seyka

Burning Shores, Aloy and Seyka

With the introduction of Seyka in Burning Shores, it would’ve been easy to dismiss that sure, they have chemistry but nothing’s going to happen. We’ve gone so far with Aloy embracing singlehood by choice, why would it change now?

That’s probably what made this DLC stand out. After becoming partners in crime, the pair share an intimate conversation where they first met to consider pursuing something more. The player option to engage in a romance probably has the audience saying “finally” or asking, “why now?”, and those who appear to take issue in Seyka’s sex are asking “why?”

But the better question is, WHY NOT?

Seyka is no stranger to duty and purpose, being intent in rescuing her sister and tribespeople from Burning Shore’s main villain, Walter Londra. She is headstrong, agile, and fierce — qualities she shares with our main girl. Aloy also learns to rely on someone for help, which is a big deal.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise either that Aloy would take on a lady love: Forbidden West final boss Tilda did express that she loved Elizabet Sobeck — Aloy’s clone source or “mother” — more than we know. Who’s to say that the genetic copy of the apple would fall far from the tree? Ultimately, should the player to decide to let Aloy initiate a romance, it’s not the end of the world if it’s a girl. Actually, they even saved it together.

SEE ALSO: Horizon Forbidden West Review: Back to save us from machines


Burning Shores

The story of Burning Shores picks up directly where Horizon Forbidden West left off. It contains additional content for Horizon Forbidden West, including new characters and experiences in a stunning yet hazardous new area.

To enter the Burning Shores, you must complete the main quest (up to and including Singularity) in the PS5 version of Horizon Forbidden West. Following the main quest, the player will receive a call over Aloy’s Focus, beginning the DLC.

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Gaming

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart coming to PC

On July 26

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Perhaps easily the best showcase game of the PlayStation (PS5) that anyone can easily jump into is making its way to PC. Insomniac Games’ Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart follows the growing list of PlayStation exclusives making its way to PC. It’s coming on July 26.

PC Features

Nixxes Software worked with Insomniac to make this happen. And they’re not simply porting the game to PC. They are also adding features especially made for PC gamers. Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart on PC will have support for multiple types of monitors. Whether you’re using 21:9, 32:9 and up to 48:9 resolutions for triple monitor setups, you can rest assured that you’ll have a grand time with this inter-dimensional adventure. Both gameplay and cutscenes are optimized for ultra-wide screens.

The game also supports now unlocked framerates. You can choose from NVIDIA DLSS 3, AMD FSR 2, Intel XeSS and Insomniac Games’ Temporal Injection. NVIDIA Reflex and image quality enhancing NVIDIA DLAA are also supported.

Availability

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart will be available on Steam and in the Epic Games Store. You may head to the aforementioned stores now to Wishlist or pre-purchase the game. If you pre-purchase ahead of launch, you’ll get access to the following in-game items early in your playthrough:

  • Pixelizer Weapon
  • Carbonox Armor set

Ratchet & Clank PC

SEE ALSO: Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Review

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