PS4 Share Play, YouTube Uploads Coming In Update 2.0

One of the originally promised features of the PlayStation 4 was Share Play, the ability to press the share button and grab a buddy and pull them into your game. The really cool part about Share Play is that the other person doesn't even have to own the game to share it with them, and it even opens up the possibility for them to take over your game and play remotely... literally, enabling PS4 gamers to share their gameplay experience, digitally. Well, this highly ambitious feature will be joining a bevy cast of other updates and upgrades in update v2.00 for the PlayStation 4.

The news came shooting out of GamesCom during Sony's stage presentation, which was ripe with tons of content, including one-too-many blink-and-you-missed-it trailers for plenty of exclusive games and upcoming titles planned to drop for the PS4 throughout this year, next year and beyond.

Nevertheless, Share Play was one of the most requested features that gamers looked forward to following the release of the PS4; and some thought that it was an empty promise by Sony just to pimp the prestige of the console. However, the company is actually following through with the promise.

As mentioned on the official PlayStation blog...

“The best way to think about Share Play is like a “virtual sofa”. PlayStation 4 will create an online local co-op experience by allowing you to invite a friend to join your game—even when they don’t own a copy of it. With this first-of-its-kind feature, you’ll be able to play games with a friend just as if you were together in the same room.”

If this almost sounds similar to another digital sharing experience it's because you might be thinking about the Xbox One's Family Share Plan.

Microsoft's vaguely-described feature would enable gamers to share their games with up to 10 close members within their gaming circle. Of course, on paper it sounded kind of cool but a lack of details, a lack of focus and a lack of follow-through put the feature in the dirt. Sony took the opportunity to expand on the feature by enabling PS4 owners to practically do the same thing with anyone on their friends list who also happens to be a subscriber to PlayStation Plus.

In addition to dragging in friends into co-op games that they don't even own, it's also possible to “share the controller” by sharing the experience and allowing them to take control of a game if you're having a tough time getting past a segment, boss or level. Again, they don't even have to own the game, they just have to be a PS Plus member.

In addition to Share Play set to roll out this fall in v2.00, Sony also announced that another highly-requested feature will be making the cut: YouTube uploads.

Gamers will soon be able to play, record and upload their experiences to YouTube. It's a feature that has long been touted by Xbox One owners as a reason to own the console, but Sony decided to bring the PS4 up to par on the media front, too.

More info is expected to roll out for the Share Play and dedicated YouTube app closer to the update's release.

Will Usher

Staff Writer at CinemaBlend.