The latest PlayStation beta software contains another pleasing update for the PS5 Pulse 3D Headset that isn’t noted in the patch notes – which means it’s the second time Sony has stealthily added additional functionality to its official cans.
As part of the PS5’s 4.0 beta system software, you can further fine-tune your listening experience when using the PlayStation 5 Pulse 3D Headset . The EQ settings that were added as part of the last major PS5 update have been improved, allowing you to rename the three custom audio profiles available. You can also play a looping test sound that lets you hear the effects of the changes you’re making in real-time.
The update also simplifies the EQ settings for those who may not understand how the different frequency sliders impact the sound. Instead of the previous 100Hz, 400Hz, 1 kHz, 4kHz, and 10kHz sliders, Sony has renamed these to Bass, Low, Mid, High, Treble, which should allow more users to dial in the type of sound they’re after.
Unfortunately, unless you’re part of the PS5 system beta – which you can register for here – you won’t be able to test this feature for yourself just yet. However, we’re expecting Sony to roll out the new PS5 system software to every user in the coming weeks. The update adds a number of quality of life features such as the option to see more games on your home screen, pin titles you’d like to keep in your list, various improvements to Trophies, and new voice commands that let you control your PS5 hands-free.
Analysis: Sony’s official headset continues to deliver
The PS5 Pulse 3D Headset is a great value option for those looking to buy a pair of cans designed specifically for PlayStation 5. For less than $100 / £100, the Pulse 3D Headset can be used wirelessly or wired, has mic monitoring, a mute button, and allows you to balance game and chat audio. It’s also been specifically designed to take advantage of Sony’s proprietary 3D audio tech, which is extremely impressive in games like Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection .
The PS5 Pulse 3D Headset isn’t without its faults, though. The battery life sits around 12 hours, and some may find the circular earcups become slightly uncomfortable after a couple of hours of play.
It’s also worth clarifying that you don’t need Sony’s official headset to experience 3D audio; any pair of headphones will work when connected to the DualSense controller ’s 3.5mm headphone jack, and if you have a pair of wireless headphones that connect to PS5 via a dongle you can also benefit from Sony’s surround sound tech.
PS5 3D audio also works through your TV speakers , though it’s best experienced wearing a pair of quality stereo headphones. 3D audio doesn’t work via a 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound system yet, unlike Dolby Atmos .
It's great to see Sony continue to improve its official headset and the PS5's software, but we're still waiting to see two key features: VRR and 1440p support . Sony had previously promised that variable refresh rate support would come in a PS5 update in the future, but we're still waiting. The same is true of 1440p, which is notably absent on PS5 and PS4 and means that if you connect to a 1440p monitor – a popular choice with PC gamers – the PS5/ PS4 Pro will only output at 1080p.
Let's hope these features are added in the next PS5 system update.
Nvidia’s RTX graphics cards are joined by an RTX… keycap?
Nvidia has revealed a fresh creation in the form of an RTX keycap. A what-now? Let us explain…
According to Team Green, this brings the “magic of RTX technology… to your keyboard,” but it’s really just a keycap in brushed aluminum with the words ‘RTX ON’ emblazoned on the top. It won’t turn ray tracing on, but it will replace one of the keys on your keyboard (the Escape key in Nvidia’s press images) and provide a talking point among your gaming friends.
You can’t buy this keycap, mind – it can only be won, and Nvidia explains that over the coming months (through spring and summer), GeForce fans should watch the company’s social media feeds (that means Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) for “spot rewards and chances to win.”
Nvidia enthuses: “We’ll be looking for anyone who has a passion for games, graphics, and technology in our replies, and maybe we’ll send you a DM rewarding you with your very own limited edition GeForce RTX keycap!”
Analysis: As pointless as a broken pencil? Well, yes… but it looks nice
Ever heard of go-faster stripes (aka racing stripes, or thick lines) in the world of cars? Well, this is the keyboard equivalent of that – it won’t help your RTX GPU go any faster, but it’ll add a visual flourish to your PC to remind any onlookers that what they’re looking at is a capable and speedy gaming rig (well, hopefully, anyway).
As you can see in the image above, the keycap itself comes in a small presentation box, almost like a piece of jewellery such as a ring. Given the timing of this reveal – Valentine’s Day – we’ve got to wonder if Nvidia is drawing some kind of subliminal connection here? Maybe not.
Also interesting on the timing front is that we very recently saw an Asus ROG Strix keycap in the shape of a three-fan RTX graphics card , so, maybe one day there’ll be enough of these novelty keycaps out there to build an entire RTX keyboard (ahem).
Starfield on Xbox Game Pass could make it Bethesda's 'most played' game ever
Xbox boss Phil Spencer has said he expects Bethesda’s much-anticipated upcoming RPG Starfield to become one of Microsoft’s most-played games ever, and suggested Xbox Game Pass is the key to making the game more popular than Skyrim.
Speaking to Stephen Totilo of Axios , Spencer noted the popularity of recent Microsoft exclusives, with Halo Infinite reaching 20 million players and Forza Horizon 5 hitting 18 million since they launched.
He suggested the popularity of the games has rested on their greater accessibility, highlighting that Game Pass has let Microsoft place many releases in the hands of players who would not have otherwise bought them.
"You can see it with Forza and Halo, the last releases,” Spencer said. “Those are the most played games in those franchises because we made them available on more screens than we ever have, through more business models than we've ever made them available”.
“I love the Forza 5 and Halo stats... I love how many people played Psychonauts 2 vs. Psychonauts 1.
"So, when I look at the teams, when Todd and I talk about Starfield, it's: 'How do we make sure this is the most-played Todd Howard game ever? [Todd Howard having worked as Skyrim's director].’"
Spencer went on to say he expects Game Pass and Microsoft’s broader strategies will also increase the player count of several major Activision Blizzard franchises after it acquires the publisher .
“I want more people to be playing WoW [World of Warcraft] in five years than are playing today.”
“I want more people to be playing Call of Duty in five years, more people to be playing Candy Crush in five years, because we've made it more accessible to more people.”
Analysis: Microsoft think Game Pass is the golden ticket
Surpassing Skyrim’s total player count is no small task. Since the acclaimed RPG was released in 2011, it went on to sell 30 million copies in its first five years, and has undoubtedly sold more in the following. The game’s 10th-anniversary edition that launched late last year was warmly received by fans and critics, likely bolstering its total number of players even further.
With Starfield confirmed as a PC and Xbox exclusive , Microsoft has already excluded the game from the PlayStation playerbase. Spencer’s comments here show the extent of his faith in Xbox Game Pass and its power to market games. As a largely affordable monthly subscription service, it can place recent releases in the laps of millions of players. Those who may be disinterested in a game, or would have avoided it, may find themselves sucked in when given the chance to play it at no extra cost.
With Game Pass now boasting 25 million subscribers , an increase of 7 million from January last year, the size and growth of the platform shouldn’t be ignored. Microsoft has already committed to putting as many Activision Blizzard titles on Game Pass as possible, shoring up the service’s features to lock in even more subscribers.
The hype behind Starfield is already immense. An original IP from the minds behind some of Bethesda’s most acclaimed titles, the sci-fi RPG is almost guaranteed a huge audience whether Game Pass pulls its weight or not. But Spencer's comments show just how successful Microsoft believes their subscription service can be.