SharePlay Gets Further Explanation

Shuhei Yoshida took time in a recent interview to clarify how SharePlay will work on the PS4. One line of his interview is a simple and eloquent way of describing the feature:

“You could call it a mini PlayStation Now.”

In many terms, SharePlay will operate on the same principle as PlayStation Now but on a much smaller scale. You will be able to transfer control of your console to a friend you have invited to do so. Anybody that works in the field of information technology could equate this to services like Remote Desktop or Citrix. Those less familiar can think of it along the same lines of calling for tech support and the technician on the phone takes control of your PC via a small program they have you download, such as GoTo Assist or LogMeIn.

Essentially, the remote player’s controls are streamed back to the host console and video is streamed from the host to the remote console. There are some limitations, however. Games that use special hardware, like the PlayStation Camera, will not be SharePlay compatible, otherwise any game that can be played with the Dualshock 4 controller will work. Also, the host console will not be available to do other things since it is running the game for the remote player. Last but not least, both users will have to be PS Plus members.

One key thing to consider is that the remote player will be playing as the user who is logged into the host console. That is, if you log into your console and invite a friend to play Call of Duty: Ghosts, it will be your name and character in the matches.

Something that wasn’t readily explained was the idea of remote couch co-op. For games that have local co-op, will it be possible to have a local player and a remote? This was implied at the Gamescom press conference but not clarified.

This is one the most demanded features since being initially promised during the PS4 reveal. There is still no firm release date for System Software 2.0 other than this fall but we at least see a light at the end of the tunnel for this feature.

I want this feature for nothing more than remote co-op play for Resogun. So, that feature better be a solid go, everything else is just gravy.

Paul Novak is a self described Polish ninja toiling away as an IT professional but more into gaming and writing. Physically existing in the west side of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania yet existentially flowing with the ether of the Internet. Found here at What’s Your Tag? and on the Twitter @dudewantshisrug. Game on with Team XBRO!