Two popular features already present on the Xbox Series X are set to be added to the PS5 as part of a major firmware update in March, reports suggest.
The next major PS5 update could add Discord integration and Cloud streaming for current-gen games to the growing list of the console's features. According to a report by Insider Gaming, the 7.00 firmware update for the console, rumoured to arrive on March 8, will also include the ability to Stream full PS5 games – as long as you stump up the cash for PS Plus Premium.
PlayStation will launch a public beta of the firmware in a matter of days, ending on January 30 according to Insider Gaming’s sources. Although (conveniently) the Discord functionality will not be included. In May 2022, Sony CEO Jim Ryan announced that Sony had partnered with Discord and would be aiming to roll out the service early this year.
“Together, our teams are already hard at work connecting Discord with your social and gaming experience on PlayStation Network. Our goal is to bring the Discord and PlayStation experiences closer together on console and mobile starting early next year, allowing friends, groups, and communities to hang out, have fun, and communicate more easily while playing games together.“
Since this announcement though, nothing else has been said by either side about the partnership. But rumours of Discord chat being added to the PS5 persist. Meanwhile, Discord voice was added to Xbox Series X|S in September last year.
Sony still struggling to catch up
It seems to me that this news is just more evidence of the PS5’s continual struggle to keep up with the mountain of features Microsoft has added to the Xbox Series X|S since launch..
Although the PS5 is a lovely bit of kit, it's safe to say – at the moment at least – that the Xbox Series X has a lot more features. Useful ones, at that. It’s had Discord for months, it has all of the same streaming features, and offers cloud gaming as part of Xbox Game Pass (which is a better subscription service than PS Plus in my opinion). It has has far more robust backwards compatibility features. and the game-swapping functions actually work.
The one area the PS5 doesn’t have to play catch up on though is sales. Having recently crossed the 30 million units sold mark, the console for all its faults is a roaring success. And with shortages apparently at an end, I don't see that changing any time soon.
Maybe it's marketing, maybe it's brand loyalty, or maybe it's great exclusives like God of War: Ragnarok, Horizon Forbidden West, and Returnal. Whatever it is a lot of gamers continue to favour the console.
This unfortunately means it is unlikely to catch up in any way that won’t cost you extra money any time soon.
