Category: PlayStation

Next week, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart is launching on PC! Many of you have asked for details about the technologies used and system requirements. Today we are answering those questions, and on top of that, we have some exciting new feature announcements.

To ensure a smooth dimension-hopping experience, our team implemented DirectStorage 1.2 in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart on PC, including GPU decompression. 

Richard van der Laan, Senior Lead Programmer at Nixxes Software, explains: “To enable quick loading and instant transition between dimensions, the game needs to be able to load assets quickly. DirectStorage ensures quick loading times, and GPU decompression is used at high graphics settings to stream assets in the background while playing. Traditionally, this decompression is handled by the CPU, but at a certain point, there is an advantage to letting the GPU handle this, as this enables a higher bandwidth for streaming assets from storage to the graphics card. We use this to quickly load high-quality textures and environments with a high level of detail.”

Principal Programmer Alex Bartholomeus: “For Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart on PC, we added adaptive streaming based on live measurement of the available hardware bandwidth. This allows us to tailor the texture streaming strategy for the best possible texture streaming on any configuration. With DirectStorage, the use of a fast NVMe SSD and GPU decompression, this results in very responsive texture streaming even at the highest settings.”

DirectStorage is developed to fully utilize the speed of fast PCIe NVMe SSDs, but the technology is also compatible with SATA SSDs and even traditional hard disk drives. This means Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart on PC can use the same technology for loading data, regardless of the storage device in your system.

Ray-Traced Ambient Occlusion and XeGTAO

In our initial announcement, we shared that Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart on PC will feature ray-traced reflections and newly added ray-traced shadows for natural outdoor light. Today we can reveal the addition of another option that will further enhance the realism of light in the game: Ray-Traced Ambient Occlusion, with various quality levels to choose from.

Graphics Programmer Menno Bil explains: “Ambient occlusion is a technique used in games to simulate how ambient lighting affects a scene. Ambient lighting is a form of indirect lighting: the light reflected from other surfaces. This effect mostly appears at creases, cracks, and corners where surfaces are close to each other. Commonly used AO techniques are SSAO (Screen Space Ambient Occlusion) and HBAO+ (Horizon-Based Ambient Occlusion). These are not very demanding on the hardware, but they do not provide physically accurate results. RTAO utilizes ray tracing further to enhance the realism of ambient occlusion in the game. We have implemented RTAO as an addition for those with high-end systems with ray-tracing compatible hardware and processing power to spare.”

Menno and the team also implemented XeGTAO, Intel’s implementation of Ground-Truth Ambient Occlusion. Like SSAO and HBAO+, this solution is based on screen space. Therefore, this technique does not enable the level of realism that RTAO does, but the performance cost is much lower and comparable to that of the HBAO+ implementation. XeGTAO is selectable as an option in the game and works with graphics cards from all vendors. 

“XeGTAO generates a very high-resolution ambient occlusion that shows even the smallest details in geometry,” says Bil. “Overall, the output quality of XeGTAO is very high and results in a pleasant look.”

System Requirements

Now that we have detailed all the features of Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart for PC, it is time to tell you more about the system requirements. When making a PC version of a game, we put a lot of work into scalability. Additions like ray-traced shadows, ray-traced ambient occlusion, and triple-screen support are aimed at those with the latest and greatest hardware so they can push their systems. With highly customizable graphics and features, we make the game scale to less powerful systems to make it accessible for as many gamers as possible. Below is an overview of the recommended specifications for a variety of graphical presets.

While Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart can be enjoyed using an HDD and the minimum system requirements, we encourage players to use an SSD in combination with the recommended system requirements or higher, to experience the game’s signature dimension-hopping gameplay as originally intended.

Details regarding ray-tracing support for AMD GPUs coming soon

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This week voice actors Jennifer Hale and David Hayter stop by to discuss their roles in Synapse. The team also does a quick deep-dive into Synth Riders’ Experience levels, with a bit of Final Fantasy XVI and Diablo IV talk along the way.

Stuff We Talked About

• Killsquad on PS5 and PS4
• Oaken on PS5 and PS4
• July PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and Classics
• Synth Riders 5th Anniversary/new DLC
• TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge Dimension Shellshock DLC – PlayStation Underground
• Interview w/ Jennifer Hale and David Hayter (starts at 21:00)
• Final Fantasy XVI
• Diablo IV

The Cast

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Sid Shuman – Senior Director of Content Communications, SIE

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Tim Turi –  Manager, Content Communications, SIE

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Kristen Zitani – Senior Content Communications Specialist, SIE

Thanks to Cory Schmitz for our beautiful logo and Dormilón for our rad theme song and show music.

[Editor’s note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]

Last week, we asked you to share your favorite gaming heroes using #PSshare #PSBlog. Here are this week’s heroic highlights: 

wingsforsmiles shares Cal from Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

sorathluna shares Rivet from Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart

cold_desktop_4k shares Aloy from Horizon Forbidden West

ScudmanVP shares Sam from Death Stranding

Comput_ART shares Selene from Returnal

KenKenVega1 shares Jin from Ghost of Tsushima

Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this week’s theme. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week? 

THEME: Noir

SUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on July 19, 2023

Next week is all about mystery, intrigue, and dramatic lighting. Share noir-style moments from the game of your choice using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

For the past five years, we’ve been on a journey with accessibility organizations and experts to create a versatile controller kit that enables gamers with disabilities to play more comfortably and for longer periods, empowering more players to share in the joy of gaming. Today, I’m thrilled to announce that the Access controller for PS5 will be available globally on December 6, with preorders kicking off on Friday, July 21.

Available for a suggested retail price (SRP) of SGD 128.90 / MYR 449 / IDR 1,649,000 / THB 3,090 / PHP 5,090 / VND 2,599,000, the Access controller lets you customize your layout with different button and stick caps in various shapes and designs, operate the controller from any 360° orientation, and connect third-party accessibility accessories using its four industry-standard 3.5mm expansion ports.

On your PS5 console, there are many settings for the Access controller that you can configure to meet your needs. You can map buttons to create up to 30 control profiles, adjust stick settings, toggle commands on/off, or disable buttons altogether to stop accidental pressing. You can even pair up to two Access controllers and one DualSense wireless controller together and use them collaboratively. Check out the video below for a sneak peek at the countless ways you can craft your own gaming experience through the Access controller:

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Product Specifications & Contents

Let’s take a look at the product specifications and what’s included in the box:

And, here’s a visual breakdown:

You can read more about the Access controller’s features on our webpage and sign up for email updates to stay up to speed on the latest news.

Preorders kick off on July 21 in Select Southeast Asia Countries

Starting Friday, July 21, players in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam will be able to preorder from select retailers. For Singapore, the pre-order will happen at a later date. The Access controller will launch globally on December 6.

Thank you to the wonderful organizations, accessibility experts and PlayStation Studios teams who’ve been on this journey with us. We’re especially grateful to all the players who continually share their passion for the games and products we make. We truly believe gaming should be accessible to everyone, and the Access controller is our latest step toward living up to that promise.

Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to launch!

When it was time to brainstorm brand new content for Shredder’s Revenge, we immediately wanted to add something new to complement the fast-paced arcade gameplay we’ve already created.

A new survival mode was like Krang’s empty android body: a no-brainer! We already knew that fans wanted it, but it became obvious that a survival mode would become a new arena for multiplayer fun. A mode where players could drop in and out, fight new enemies, collect strange power-ups and discover new worlds.

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What the shell is going on?

Interrupting a pizza party, Dimension X’s raddest rebels – the Neutrinos – call on the Turtles for help.The Foot Clan has been stomping across dimensions and only the mutant martial artists can stop them! Always ready to squash the bad guys, the Turtles agree to hit pause on the party and jump into the multiversal melee.

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In Dimension Shellshock’s new survival mode, the Turtles battle across worlds collecting shards in order to assemble dimension crystals. Once assembled, the multiversal gems allow the rambunctious reptiles to go deeper within dimensions to face off against Shredder.

Entering the dimensional gauntlet, you’ll be battling across a wide variety of arenas, facing off against adversaries both old and new.

After collecting enough crystals, you’ll be able to fight Shredder within the void. If you’re able to defeat him, you’ll either return home to the Neutrinos or be given the option to keep fighting through the harshest challenge of them all: rising atop the leaderboards.

The fight stuff

The survival mode is no walk in the inter-dimensional park: Players will face off against over 100 unique combat challenges including a plethora of different enemy waves, each of them adapted for single or multiple players. 

Watch out for new Foot Soldier variants – armed with punishing weapons – looking to make turtle soup out of you!

For the ferocious fighters, mastering the enemy waves can become even more difficult: The Foot Clan has been issuing soldier variants and thus, your adversaries evolve to become tougher versions of themselves.

Foot Soldiers aren’t the only obstacle on your way to the Shredder. The Foot Clan’s multiversal travel has made the dimensions susceptible to extreme conditions. Powerful gusts of winds might send you flying straight into the enemy’s hands while low gravity could allow you to leap even higher than before. Beware of danger from above: Crystalline stalactites shoot straight into the ground, risking your shell if you’re not careful.

Perks and recreation

If you’re strong enough to defeat a whole horde, two rewards portals will appear. They both lead you to your next fight but also offer game-changing bonuses. You might be presented with helpful pizzas for your ailing ninjas, large amounts of shards, or even mysterious canisters of ooze. Should you choose the ooze, you have access to special mutation perks, transforming your hero.

Will you make your hero faster by picking the Turbo Teen perk? Become a Rude Dude, doubling your attack power but risking double damage? You could even select the Boss Mutations perk, transforming you into Bebop, Rocksteady or even the nefarious Shredder for a few rounds!

Dimensional Shellshock’s survival mode is aptly titled: Your pan-dimensional adventure starts with your base abilities and only one life! Assembling new crystals becomes the only way to gain more life energy, boosting your Ninja Power bar, adding precious extra lives but also the ability to choose your preferred challenge level.

Across the multiverse

The new game mode moves beyond the regular campaign’s levels into a carousel of fight arenas, inspired by TMNT’s rich history. You’ll start your journey in an Usagi Yojimbo-inspired Edo dimension, jump into an 8-bit battleground and fight through Omnichannel 6 and beyond!
You might start to feel homesick, but old friends and some enemies have tagged along to cheer your victory or applaud your defeat.

Creating Shredder’s Revenge was the dream of a lifetime and a career high for all of us at Tribute Games. We’re very proud to have the chance to go back to the well and add to the video game legacy of the Turtles. 

We hope to have you join us for another round in the TMNT toy box when the Dimension Shellshock DLC comes out later this year on PlayStation 4.

“You’re not the only one who wants payback.” – Billy Butcher, The Boys (Ep. 306)

The members of Task Force 141 remain in captivity, Vondel is under constant attack, and the appearance Supes from of The Boys adds a new superpowered element to the fight.

It’s about to get wild in Season 04 Reloaded for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Call of Duty: Warzone, launching July 12 on PlayStation 4 and PS5. Read on for a glimpse at the new content coming to all three modes in the midseason update.

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Warzone brings Battle Royale to Vondel, plus a New Gulag and more

Following Vondel’s debut with Resurgence mode at the start of the season, the midseason update brings the classic Battle Royale experience with support for up to 72 players.

New Gulag: Fight for reentry to the map in a new Gulag that’s exclusive to Vondel. Inspired by a certain prison complex showers, this wine cellar and dungeon beneath the Castle features a three-lane design with a circular center suited for 1v1 combat.

New Resurgence Playlist Rotation: Starting with Season 04 Reloaded, a map rotation system will go live in Resurgence Playlists, switching between Vondel and Ashika Island to add variety to your play sessions.

New Event — Occupation Scan: This in-match event is coming to Vondel. When the event activates, go prone or dive under the water to avoid being scanned. Operators who fail to do so in time will be identified and marked for all to see on the Tac Map and minimap for a limited time.

The Special Ops Raid Finale, new 6v6 Core Map

Multiplayer brings the action to cooperative and competitive modes with the finale to the Special Ops Atomgrad narrative and introducing a new 6v6 Core map.

Special Ops Raid Episode 04: The members of Task Force 141 have been captured and imprisoned by Al-Qatala asset Hadir. In this epic conclusion to Atomgrad, it’s up to you and two other Operators to get out and finish what you started.

Vondel Waterfront (6v6): Deploy to the southwestern portion of Vondel in a small-sized 6v6 map optimized for Multiplayer matches. Battle in and between the various pontoon homes, including the major Red and Blue House power positions facing each other across the center of the map. Traverse the deck from locale to locale, or dive into the waterways to stealthily reposition for the flank.

General overview

Guardian MX: The previously classified Season 04 Battle Pass Sector will be open to access. Its HVT reward is the new MX Guardian Shotgun base weapon. Unlike a traditional Battle Pass Sector, all items here are earned by completing the following in-game challenges:

• Dependable Emblem: Get 10 ADS Operator kills with Shotguns.
• Gunfire Calling Card: Get 10 Hip-fire Operator kills with Shotguns.
• Fanning Hutch Loading Screen: Get 10 headshot Operator kills with Shotguns.
• 1-Hour Double Weapon XP Token: Get 10 one-shot Operator kills with Shotguns.
• MX Guardian: Earn All Sector Rewards.

The Boys join the fight

The Supes are here to save Vondel, Al Mazrah, and the rest of the Modern Warfare II universe, for good, bad, or worse. Based on The Boys TV show, their arrival adds a new dimension to Warzone.

New Powers: With help from Vought International’s Temp V superpower-activating drug, Operators are reporting access to special abilities.

The first power is the Charge Jump, allowing Operators to move across the map in leaps and bounds. Just like Queen Maeve, an Operator will not suffer any fall damage when they land from a Charge Jump as well as deal splash damage to anyone or anything within a short radius of the Operator’s landing spot.

The second power, Electric Shockwave – To put it simply, “electricity goes in, blast comes out.” This shockwave sends a powerful electrical explosion that injures Operators and AI Combatants and destroys vehicles and equipment.

The third power, Laser Vision, grants levitation alongside the ability to fire a laser beam wherever the Operator is looking. It’s just like one of many powers that Homelander has (don’t tell him you think you are as good as he is), but it does leave the user open to backfire.

And lastly, Teleport: Forget taking steps across Vondel’s mists; Teleport jumps an Operator forward in whatever direction they face, which is extremely helpful when trying to escape a fight or move unexpectedly to higher ground. And unlike when Hughie Campbell does it, your Operator Skin isn’t affected in any way – no lost clothing, in other words – whenever this happens.

These abilities are considered Field Upgrades, meaning they are of limited use; get your timing right and reap the rewards of superpowered abilities. Temp V will exist in all Warzone playlists except Ranked Play.

Operators versus Superheroes: When deploying to Vondel, keep your eyes open for indications that The Boys are in town by way of murals and billboard ads. Even the strongest among us understand the importance of publicity.

Diabolical Camo Challenges

Complete the Diabolical Camo Challenges to earn a Vought-approved grey camouflage that can be used on every weapon in a specific class once earned by completing that classes’ challenge. Each weapon class features different elimination requirements, some requiring that you specifically eliminate other Operators, with others requiring that you simply eliminate “Enemies,” meaning Operators or AI combatants.

Complete all ten to unlock a superbly diabolical universal camouflage, which can be used on all weapons once unlocked, and a Weapon Charm, which proves mastery of this event.

Store update: Limited-time The Boys bundles, and more

Become Starlight, Homelander, or Black Noir with these limited-time Store Bundles: Priced at 2,400 COD Points each.

The Boys: Starlight — Shine brighter than the others with the Starlight Operator, bundled with three Weapon Blueprints with Tracer Rounds and Dismemberment, the “Necessary Evil” Finishing Move, plus a Weapon Sticker, Emblem, Loading Screen, and Weapon Charm.

The Boys: Homelander — Make them love you and fear you as the Homelander Operator, paired with three Weapon Blueprints with Tracer Rounds and Dismemberment, the superpowered “Laser Everyone” Finishing Move, as well as a Weapon Decal, Emblem, Loading Screen, and Weapon Charm.

The Boys: Black Noir — Suit up and take down the enemy with deadly precision using the Black Noir Operator Skin plus three Weapon Blueprints, two with Tracer Rounds and Dismemberment and the third being a Black Noir-inspired melee Weapon Blueprint, plus the “Shhh” Finishing Move, and a Weapon Sticker, Emblem, Loading Screen, and Weapon Charm.

On top of The Boys Bundles, don’t forget to check out these.

Other midseason Bundle highlights include the Pro Pack 6: Graffiti Tactical, Whisker Tango, and the Tracer Pack: Soulless.

Season 04 Combat Pack

Don’t forget that PlayStation Plus members can download the Season 04 Combat Pack, headlined by the Oni Operator’s Skin “Hydro” featuring a carbon fiber armor-enhanced wetsuit.

Social and community — In-Game LFP — Party Browser

The overhauled LFP (Looking for Party) system helps players find parties with similar communication styles and playstyle preferences. The following changes were made to improve player experience based on community feedback:

Dynamic Preferences: In addition to communication types, an expanded preference list includes primary and secondary playstyle options (e.g., focus on faction missions or competitive versus casual playstyles).

Advertise Your Party: Party leaders can broadcast your existing party and attract individuals who share similar preferences. Fill up your squad with compatible teammates before diving into the action for more collaborative and team-based play.

Browse Parties and Join: No more waiting around! Players can now explore a list of available parties with matching preferences to join them immediately. Note: Exact matches only.

Quality-of-Life Improvements: Bugs were fixed, and the overall user interface was improved to ensure a smoother experience.

To access Party Browser, click “Find a Party.” After selecting a mode and entering the lobby, the player can either advertise their existing party or browse available pools.

World Series of Warzone Global Final

The World Series of Warzone Global Final will be held at the legendary Copper Box Arena in London on September 19. Stay tuned for info on where to stream the final, or, if you’re a Call of Duty fan in the greater U.K. or European competitive community, consider attending to support the teams.

For Warzone Ranked Play fans, consider grabbing the midseason’s WSOW Designated Driver Pack in the Store. This Bundle will feature the “Speed Demon” Operator Skin for the official Call of Duty League (Male) Operator, as well as the “Take the Wheel” Weapon Blueprint and more.

Season 04 Reloaded launches July 12

For the best midseason experience, purchase Modern Warfare II on PlayStation today, giving you access to additional content across three modes, including the ability to unlock 14 exclusive Operators for use across both games. Modern Warfare II owners also get awarded Premium XP at the end of every match while playing Call of Duty: Warzone.

Stay frosty.