TheLegendOfMart
Banned
My point was they didn't give a date and they haven't said that it isn't coming. There must be a reason why it isn't here yet rather than whatever arbitrary reason people are dreaming up.
Sony's management of the PS4 UI has been atrocious
- Thread starter mdubs
- Start date
My point was they didn't give a date and they haven't said that it isn't coming. There must be a reason why it isn't here yet rather than whatever arbitrary reason people are dreaming up.
I would like to see that you are in the game in 30 seconds with a powered off system.
Take a min. of 2 minutes
Maybe 3 minutes for some games.
* Boot time of the PS4, launch the game, numerous pubslisher/developer logos, main menu, load/continue game.
I am completely sure that you cannot beat that in under 2 min for every game.
Gambit1977
Banned
It's a means to an end. Just like metro on the XB1. I turn it on and load my chosen game. Then I don't see it again until I quit.
OP you seem to be annoyed at missing features more than the PS4 UI itself.
In my experience the PS4 UI is lightning quick, snappy and easy to navigate which is great for games and coming from the "ever loading" era of XMB.
Folders are needed probably, DLNA and friend notifications too as system features. I couldn't give a hoot about suspend/resume honestly.
In my experience the PS4 UI is lightning quick, snappy and easy to navigate which is great for games and coming from the "ever loading" era of XMB.
Folders are needed probably, DLNA and friend notifications too as system features. I couldn't give a hoot about suspend/resume honestly.
There's room for improvement, sure, but I don't think it's anywhere near as bad as you're saying.
Cthulhu_Steev
Member
Ugh, how inconvenient. Thanks for the science mike4001.
"I would like to stream my......dvd backups! to my PS4" riiight
This has always made me chuckle. I'm sure there there are a fair few that backup their collection but I'd wager their outnumbered 10-1 easy by people with hard-drives full of ripped off movies.
"MAKE SURE IT INCLUDES MKV SONY. M-K-Veeeeeeeee!!!!!"
It´s not the end of the world.
But yes, not having suspend&resume is more inconvenient that when you have it.
dgrdsv
Member
PS4 UI always looked bad. I don't understand why some people actually like the early screenshots as I personally think they were awful. This whole tiled/boxes/metro approach is bad in general. But at least it allows me to do what's important:
geordiemp
Member
OP cant distinguish between UI and apps.
UI is great and does what it needs to do fast.
Apps I could not give a damn about, I play games on my Ps4. Don't mind them as long as they fully shut down and don't interfere with CPU power for running games.
Oh, and I want all CPU cores / power available on the game....
No way do I want 3 apps at a time and suspend / resume them or whatever. sounds like a classic memory leak problem waiting to happen.
UI is great and does what it needs to do fast.
Apps I could not give a damn about, I play games on my Ps4. Don't mind them as long as they fully shut down and don't interfere with CPU power for running games.
Oh, and I want all CPU cores / power available on the game....
No way do I want 3 apps at a time and suspend / resume them or whatever. sounds like a classic memory leak problem waiting to happen.
flatearthpandas
Member
I don't have any experience with the Xbox UI but otherwise i agree. PS4 is a faster DS UI except with no options for organizing content--pretty embarrassing
"I would like to stream my......dvd backups! to my PS4" riiight
why not? DVD and bluray ripping is pretty trivial these days so it is a completely legit use case. Personally I use plex for that but plenty of people will want to use DLNA for it - and it is also very handy for music playback
Noisepurge
Member
This is going pretty off topic, sorry:
People hardly have dvd/bluray drives in their rigs anymore. And my original argument was that 99% of usage is piracy. The 1% can be legit users sure. Same with MP3's, dying breed. Spotify is coming to the PS4 as an app soon anyways, again reinforcing Sony's position of offering movie and music services instead of DLNA.
It's kinda like the torrent sites that defend their existence with legal content ;D
chancellor
Member
Undelivered features are bad but the UI is great, it gets you to the games quickly and is fast and responsive. The only issue is that the friends list takes a while to load sometimes
RiotPelaaja
Remedy
I think the UI is really fast and snappy, which is very important. Everything else is secondary.
SmokedMeat
Gamer™
It's not organized very well. The fact that you have to "pin" anything at all should tell you that.
My games should be front and center, not hiding behind a "games and apps" folder. If there's one thing I really like about the PS4 UI, it's that my games are staring me in the face when I turn the system on.
Also the Bone store blows. Organized is not the word for that giant mess, but to be fair, the stores on all the current gen systems suck.
I agree the UI definitely needs work.
At the moment it appears to be a random hodgepodge of apps and games, scrolling all the way to the right to get into a categorised view doesn't strike me as good design.
On the XMB I would like to first see a games folder, then apps (Netflix, iPlayer, etc) then they can keep web browser (and other I cant remember at the mo) on the top layer.
At the moment it appears to be a random hodgepodge of apps and games, scrolling all the way to the right to get into a categorised view doesn't strike me as good design.
On the XMB I would like to first see a games folder, then apps (Netflix, iPlayer, etc) then they can keep web browser (and other I cant remember at the mo) on the top layer.
I Wanna Be The Guy
U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!
No it isn't. Not even close. Vita easily has the best UI of any dedicated gaming system.....ever. It's super fast, super easy to navigate and you can lay everything out the way you want. Which completely kills your argument. Got things you don't use? Make a folder for them and keep them all in there. With PS4 as soon as you use something it automatically gets put on the main page at the expense of something. Use share factory for the first time in months and likely wont use it for another few months? Sorry Resogun, you're not worthy of being easily accessible any more. Navigate the shitty and awkward library section to find it. Not only does the Vita UI obliterate PS4, but frankly so do the other systems. Even Nintendo's systems have an easier to use UI than PS4. What's so difficult about including folders?
This really seems yo be the largest flaw in the PS4 network design. Numerous games have had problems with users implementing their features with larger friends lists. The basic UI components themselves struggle and sometimes crash with 100+ long user lists.
I am not sure if this is a design issue for the games that are trying to integrate with friends lists, poor network infrastructure on Sony's end, or poor OS design by their developers. I do know that with a large list though (150+) you will have OS crashes, and some games will crash as well. I personally mitigated a lot of this by dropping down to <50 people, but event hen I still get timeouts when it comes to News updates, friends list status updating, chat creation etc.
Though I have no proof, I suspect a lot of the failures with DriveClub related to this fact as well. In testing I do know it causes me problems in GTAV and Diablo3.
Functionally, the PS4 UI/OS is great. Really quick and easy to use. In terms of options available to the user though, it is hot, spicy garbage.
All I want is the ability to sort/organise the tiles on the front end and use folders of some sort to arrange them and the ability to hide shit on the library screen, but nope, still waiting on any of that. How is it they can implement a feature as great as Shareplay in the console's first year, but I still can't pick for myself which game tiles are at the front of the queue when I switch my console on?
Whoever it is Sony has on their firmware team, they are a shower of complete incompetents who do little more than undermine the great work that went into the design of the hardware itself.
[Car analogy]It's like having a functional Lamborghini with an engine constructed from human excrement and some twigs.[/Car analogy]
All I want is the ability to sort/organise the tiles on the front end and use folders of some sort to arrange them and the ability to hide shit on the library screen, but nope, still waiting on any of that. How is it they can implement a feature as great as Shareplay in the console's first year, but I still can't pick for myself which game tiles are at the front of the queue when I switch my console on?
Whoever it is Sony has on their firmware team, they are a shower of complete incompetents who do little more than undermine the great work that went into the design of the hardware itself.
[Car analogy]It's like having a functional Lamborghini with an engine constructed from human excrement and some twigs.[/Car analogy]
the order you last used them is 'random'? OK.
I do think perhaps they could make the library quicker to get to. Maybe they could put it to the left of the list? So when the dashboard comes up, the last thing you used it still the thing in focus, and the list to the right is the most recent items, and to the left is the library - or have two icons, one for apps and one for games.
Yeah, I know its last used but the further you scroll to the right, the further the order appears to step into random territory due to the time that's past since I last used a certain app or game.
I don't recollect when it was so should I try to remember "that was the 7th last app I used so I'll press right 7 times to get to it"
Can you read? Where did I say anything about it being the worst out of the current gen consoles. I'll do you a favour and post the OP right here for your reading pleasure since you obviously haven't done that.
Sorry, that was Eolz a few posts later. edited my post to remove that comment.
+1
Only got my xb1 in December but suspend/resume will be a factor in choosing which console to buy games for.
It really is amazing
Markitron
Is currently staging a hunger strike outside Gearbox HQ while trying to hate them to death
It's missing a few features alright, but it's a massive exagerration to call it slow or clunky. Imo it's extremely fast and streamlined/simple (especially compared to the XB1), which is just the way I like it.
Here's what I'd like to suggest.
I have a friend who works for Sony, so I would like to ask you to compile a list of things that aren't working properly or could be re-designed better. I could then go through this list and compile a document I can send to my friend.
I am a user interface design researcher by trade (even though it's mostly now for the elderly, but the general design rules apply regardless), so I can rewrite your suggestions into a readable format without bullshit. I reserve the right to disregard any entries that are too general or non-related (e.g. bring Valkyria Chronicles games to PS4, make the battery last longer, why does PSN not work all the time, my PS4 wobbles). If e.g. PSN messaging is a problem. Try to state what you did to replicate it in 1-2-3 steps clearly.
- Use screenshots only if you must. If you must, keep the sizes small (1MB or less). I do not want to edit them so crop and make them as specific as possible. Do NOT use if not needed.
- You CAN use screens/photoshops to relay your suggestion too IF the text is not enough. Keep it tight and focused man.
- Check what others have written. If it's already suggested, don't write it again. Makes my work a bit easier.
If we do this, I would like you to:
1) Simply state a problem area (PSN, friends list, etc.), and what is the problem shortly as a title?
2) Why it's a problem? A bit longer description
3) How could it be fixed if it's clear to you?
4) Give any additional info needed
E.g.
Quick and dirty template:
[Area]: [Title]:
- [Description of the problem/suggestion]:
- [Suggested fix/change]:
- [Alternative suggested fix]:
- [Other]: (If it's country specific, other specific configuration or replicating steps, state it here):
I will do this by hand, check each problem myself as much as possible because I can't replicate everything, and divide the gathered data into relevant groups in the document.
I do not and will not promise anything and this might not lead to anything any time soon or at all, but at least the suggestions and real problems would reach Sony at a more concrete level than just a Sony operated site of suggestions.
I am also very busy working my ass off finishing my dissertation, so I will subscribe to this thread with weekly reminders on and get back to it later. If you don't hear from me, send a PM so I won't forget. Do not expect this to be done immediately. I'll do my best.
I have a friend who works for Sony, so I would like to ask you to compile a list of things that aren't working properly or could be re-designed better. I could then go through this list and compile a document I can send to my friend.
I am a user interface design researcher by trade (even though it's mostly now for the elderly, but the general design rules apply regardless), so I can rewrite your suggestions into a readable format without bullshit. I reserve the right to disregard any entries that are too general or non-related (e.g. bring Valkyria Chronicles games to PS4, make the battery last longer, why does PSN not work all the time, my PS4 wobbles). If e.g. PSN messaging is a problem. Try to state what you did to replicate it in 1-2-3 steps clearly.
- Use screenshots only if you must. If you must, keep the sizes small (1MB or less). I do not want to edit them so crop and make them as specific as possible. Do NOT use if not needed.
- You CAN use screens/photoshops to relay your suggestion too IF the text is not enough. Keep it tight and focused man.
- Check what others have written. If it's already suggested, don't write it again. Makes my work a bit easier.
If we do this, I would like you to:
1) Simply state a problem area (PSN, friends list, etc.), and what is the problem shortly as a title?
2) Why it's a problem? A bit longer description
3) How could it be fixed if it's clear to you?
4) Give any additional info needed
E.g.
Quick and dirty template:
[Area]: [Title]:
- [Description of the problem/suggestion]:
- [Suggested fix/change]:
- [Alternative suggested fix]:
- [Other]: (If it's country specific, other specific configuration or replicating steps, state it here):
I will do this by hand, check each problem myself as much as possible because I can't replicate everything, and divide the gathered data into relevant groups in the document.
I do not and will not promise anything and this might not lead to anything any time soon or at all, but at least the suggestions and real problems would reach Sony at a more concrete level than just a Sony operated site of suggestions.
I am also very busy working my ass off finishing my dissertation, so I will subscribe to this thread with weekly reminders on and get back to it later. If you don't hear from me, send a PM so I won't forget. Do not expect this to be done immediately. I'll do my best.
I just don't understand why features that were on PS3 are still absent on PS4. Did Sony dislike users being able to put their own photos up as the menu background? Why can't they let me know when a friend signs on, but they can let me know he joined a party? What kind of stupid crap is that?
What certain things? I find placement of things on PS4 is much better than the convoluted layout on XB1.
What certain things? I find placement of things on PS4 is much better than the convoluted layout on XB1.
Don't agree with your logic, if that was the case, then I'd have a wall of icons most of which I don't care about that much.
It's like desktop icons to the start menu. I only want the stuff I like on my desktop. Bit of a 00's analogy but hey.
I don't follow, being able to customize the UI (pins) to your own tastes is bad
vs
a long horizontal bar that is sorted for the last time a game or app was used or updated
The are pros and cons to each but I would definately not praise Sony for it's layout
Sloane_Ranger
Member
I am loving the UI. Huge change from my 360 days. Do wish we had more choices to organize, but I am sure they will come. Kinda weird that they (seemingly) did not implement a more flexible organizing structure (like choosing what games to show on the main screen, or more ways to organize the Library) - but maybe that was necessary for stability (pun intended).
flatearthpandas
Member
10 folders per screen with about 10 apps each? I wouldn't call that the best UI of any system ever.
Honestly, I'd say the n3DS easily is the best for my money. Something like 30 folders per screen with 30 apps in each folder. That is accessibility. There is nothing on my system more than two clicks away.
I would put Vita over the OG 3DS just because it is so goddamn slow but the n3DS is pretty speedy. Plus the menu of "important" apps at the top of the screen.
PS4 is the 3DS UI set to a single row and with no customization whatsoever (themes, but they both have locked themes). The good news is that the PS4 UI should be easily fixable. The bad news is that it probably never will be.
Well said.
It's exactly the UI that many have called "utter shit", except even less easy to use.
3DS is actually a nice UI, highly customizable. Everything is 1 or 2 clicks away, not nested in subfolders requiring 10 button presses and stick flicks to get to. It's basically a "desktop" layout, complete with taskbar containing the most important system functions. That's the most well proven, time tested design in OS UIs.
SmokedMeat
Gamer™
A wall of icons you don't care about? Well what do you care about on a videogame console, if it's not the videogames themselves?
fabricated backlash
Member
I just recently got a PS4, and man the main menu took me by surprise... I don't know what I expected, but I didn't expect it to be that bad and ugly. Is there any way to make this look better? At this point I'd be ready to pay money for a set of icons and a background that doesn't look hideous.
At least it works, and I like the games I got so far, but man spending time in the menu or the shop is a drag.
At least it works, and I like the games I got so far, but man spending time in the menu or the shop is a drag.
out0v0rder
Member
i like the horizontal layout of the ps4. all i have to do is press right a few times and then X if i want to play something. once you start adding more rows and making my eyes look all over the page then everything starts to go to shit.
Xb1 pins are so weird.
- limited to 22 (or some arbitrary number). You can pin more and see them on smartglass, but not on xbox
- organising pins on xbox is a pain because of the way it swaps icons around - getting something in the right place can be frustrating
- organising pins on smartglass is much simpler. But they are backwards for some unknown reason.
flatearthpandas
Member
I don't think themes change the icons, but they do change the background. There are some free ones and you change the color of the default.
Yeah, somewhere in the system settings. Mine is gloriously quiet.
FranXico
Member
I found the UI to be fairly easy to break.
Here is one of my favorite layout glitches:
This bug is nicely reproducible. Just go to the "What's New" area and open a notification from a friend who earned multiple trophies in any game. Just quickly push the buttons to scroll to the right multiple times and suddenly press a few times to the left or vice versa.
The "Buy" and "View In Store" buttons will start to multiply.
I also managed to make the store background show up in the home screen once or twice, but I'm not sure how to reproduce that one.
Here is one of my favorite layout glitches:
This bug is nicely reproducible. Just go to the "What's New" area and open a notification from a friend who earned multiple trophies in any game. Just quickly push the buttons to scroll to the right multiple times and suddenly press a few times to the left or vice versa.
The "Buy" and "View In Store" buttons will start to multiply.
I also managed to make the store background show up in the home screen once or twice, but I'm not sure how to reproduce that one.
Conkerkid11
Member
I think the Xbox One's UI is the worst out of the three current gen consoles. Tucking settings and various other necessary "apps" away is ridiculous. As is making everything an app in the first place, considering how frequently they crash.
The PS4 UI is actually pretty great, considering I was worried they would go in the direction of the Vita, and the Vita has a terrible OS.
The PS4 UI is actually pretty great, considering I was worried they would go in the direction of the Vita, and the Vita has a terrible OS.
I agree. It's like bitching for the sake of bitching honestly. People are free to gripe and nit pick but the fact is share play and remote play are still two of the best gaming features of this gen already. MS and Nintendo can't compete with that and neither has had anything remotely close to coming up with anything as innovative as those two features on the PS4. Sure suspend/resume should be here it was promised but let's not act like Sony hasn't contributed good features to gaming with the PS4. The UI is simple snappy and responsive and much easier to navigate than the Xbox One UI in my experience. There's less crap to sort through so you can get to gaming quickly which is what I want. Sony was chastised last gen for "too many updates" with the PS3 so they don't do frequent updates anymore and again I stand by my opinion that despite monthly updates MS puts out there's still nothing like share play and remote play so Sony is okay as they are I'll take quality over quantity any day.