Probably not by chance, Sony is giving a first look at the operating system of the Playstation 5 game console today, Thursday. Microsoft recently lifted a blocking period for previews of the Xbox Series X – Sony is also providing an insight via video. In it, the manufacturer shows the new control center and the home screen of the PS5.

If the user wakes the console from sleep, it quickly returns to the control center back. The last track played is visible in the background – “Sackboy” in the presentation – and some so-called activities are lined up in the foreground. Players can return to various points in the single player game in order to continue missions that have been started there. Sony insists on highlighting the fast loading times due to the built-in SSD.

First look into the operating system of the Playstation 5.

(Source: Sony) (Voice) chat and picture-in-picture (Voice) chats can also be carried out in the control center open with party members. Shortcuts to their running games allow quick joining, provided that it is multiplayer. Alternatively, players can start a picture-in-picture mode to see the gameplay of friends during their own game – the function could also be interesting for streams.

The Playstation 5 takes screenshots and videos with up to 3840 × 2160 pixels. Content can be shared via linked social media channels via a tab in the control center. Game developers can configure that friends who are not yet ready in the game receive spoiler warnings.

User interface of the Playstation 5 (8 Pictures) The control center contains among other things “Activities” of the last track played.

(Image: Sony) Homescreen with integrated store The homescreen includes a tab for every game purchased with statistics (progress, achievements), update messages, additional content such as videos and DLC offers. The Playstation Store is integrated as a separate tab in the homescreen, so that, unlike the Playstation 4, users do not have to start a separate app. The store homepage contains offers as usual.

Get the Discover tab initially only buyers in the USA. Sony part