During the initial push for the Xbox One and PS4, one area in particular both systems focused on was content creation directly from the Xbox Live and PSN ecosystem. The PS4 specifically utilized a “Share” button that was used to capture screenshots and gameplay footage direct from the console to be shared through the PlayStation Network’s social features. Now, the PS5 is utilizing a new “Create” button, clearly inferring there’s going to be a greater focus on content creation on PS5 and PSN.
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PS5’s Intent to Improve Streaming
That aforementioned hardware planned for the PS5 was reportedly a mirrorless camera, designed to be integrated directly with the console. Primarily, this camera would’ve been used in tandem with live streaming to Twitch or other game-streaming platforms supported by PlayStation. It’s clear that Sony intends to put an effort into improving the live streaming experience from dedicated gaming consoles. Adding things like the “Share” button on the PS4 was a huge step forward for console gaming, allowing players to directly share their gaming experiences with whatever audience they choose to share with. Now with PS5, it’s time to improve streaming and sharing capabilities.
The PS5’s “Create” button reflects a renewed interest from Sony to improve and refine the live streaming experience from console gaming. Regardless of the cancelled inclusion of a mirrorless camera, redefining the former Share button to something more encompassing of content creation has to indicate a greater purpose for the existing feature. That being said, there are plenty of ways as to how PS5 can introduce and improve content creation and live streaming on Sony’s console.
Customizable Stream Layouts
Becoming a popular, iconic, or even successful live streamer on Twitch relies solely on branding and identity. Some of the best and most popular streamers in the world have an image fans and viewers can associate them with. Being able to craft this identity is what makes streaming so unique and creative for all creators, not limiting or constraining content to specific layouts or restrictions. This is why PS5 needs to offer more flexibility and opportunity to customize and tailor streaming via PlayStation to a greater capacity. Streaming on PS4 only had one basic layout for all PS4 streams/streamers to use, not allowing any form of customization or expression.
There should be native tools on the PS5 for streamers to customize and create stream layouts that are unique and stylized. Whether this is through pre-made artistic assets that PlayStation provides, or even goes as far as allowing players to upload their own art altogether, stream layouts and art are a fundamental portion of a streamer’s identity. Every streamer using the same layout creates no reason to separate one from the other on visuals alone, regardless of difference in each content creator’s personality.
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Advanced Community Interaction
This is still a relatively new suite of features even for Twitch itself, but PlayStation should also put time into developing new ways for streamers and viewers to interact. Rather than just participating in chat, award viewers for their time with something like Twitch’s channel points or some PlayStation version of it. Sony should partner with Twitch for loot drops and exclusive rewards for viewing PlayStation-curated and/or PlayStation-created streams. Integrate things like Twitch’s Hype Trains or craft some PlayStation amalgamation that also encourages more people to subscribe and gift subs.
Anything to encourage viewership support automatically makes streaming on PS5 a much more viable option. Any content creator who streams directly from PS4 only has the option to check chat and speak through a headset microphone. Players have little control on how they can interact with their viewers. Another cornerstone of a successful live streamer is being able to interact with viewers, which is incredibly limited on PS4.
There are plenty other miniscule changes that can be made too, but these are the most impactful improvements that PS5 can make to improve console live streaming. Sony using the “Create” nomenclature for what the Share button used to be seems to mean an emphasis on content creation and live streaming. Once the PS5 is officially unveiled, players will likely be wondering what steps have been made to improve the live streaming functionality on console.
The PS5 is set to release in Holiday 2020.
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