PS5 media preview mentions unannounced OS feature called ‘Activities’

An unannounced PlayStation 5 feature called ‘Activities’ looks set to enable players to directly boot specific parts of games from the console’s home menu.

That’s according to a Gamereactor preview of racing game WRC 9, which was briefly published before being taken offline (spotted by Gematsu and archived here).

According to the publication, the PS5 version of the racing sequel will include the Activities feature, which is described as “an instant deeplink to specific races directly from the console’s menu.”

Another pulled-article on Gamereactor Spain claimed the preview was written based on a presentation by WRC 9’s developers. VGC has reached out to both Gamereactor and WRC publisher Nacon for clarification.

The description of the feature matches a Direct Gameplay patent published by Sony Interactive Entertainment in March 2020. It describes launching directly into specific game content or activities from a dynamically generated menu, which would be unique to each game.

The feature would allow users to launch directly into a multiplayer match, specific game chapter or mode directly from the operating system menu, instead of having to boot a game and then progress through a series of menus.

The patent also suggests the feature could display dynamic content such as a Trophy the player is trying to unlock or a friend’s game activity and boot them directly to relevant content.

The Activities feature also sounds like a description of the PS5’s OS by lead system architect Mark Cerny.

Speaking to Wired in October 2019, Cerny confirmed PS5 will feature a “completely revamped” interface which will allow players to boot directly into multiplayer games and display joinable online activities in real-time.

“Even though it will be fairly fast to boot games, we don’t want the player to have to boot the game, see what’s up, boot the game, see what’s up,” Cerny said.

“Multiplayer game servers will provide the console with the set of joinable activities in real time.

“Single-player games will provide information like what missions you could do and what rewards you might receive for completing them—and all of those choices will be visible in the UI. As a player you just jump right into whatever you like.”

Further reading

PS5’s menu will be ‘100 percent overhauled’, a Sony designer has claimed

Menu will introduce “a whole new visual language"

Cerny previously suggested PS5’s high-bandwidth SSD would have a significant impact on not just game content itself, but how users will be able to access it through the console.

“We’re very used to flying logos at the start of the game and graphic-heavy selection screens, even things like multiplayer lobbies and intentionally detailed loadout processes, because you don’t want players just to be waiting,” he said.

PS5 will also change Sony’s approach to storage, allowing players to configure installations and choose to install just a game’s multiplayer component, or delete the single-player campaign once completed.