3mo ago

PS5 Homescreen Now Replaces Unique Video Game Art With Annoying Ads You Can’t Turn Off

www.ign.com PS5 Homescreen Now Replaces Unique Video Game Art With Annoying Ads You Can’t Turn Off - IGN

The PS5 now has an advert system built into the dashboard user interface you can’t disable without disconnecting from the internet.

Wow, this is awful. Some people reported that these ads are also very petty and not necessarily related to the game, like apparently Elden Ring shows an ad for a licensed mousepad when you hover over the game now...

Edit: Playstation Product Manager says this is actually a new bug. I really doubt it but they do seem to be "fixing it".

180 comments

Man it is never enough with these greedy fucking assholes. I don't even own one and I'm mad about this... It's with everything lately... Soon we'll have ads in our fucking dreams like Futurama....

"But not in our dreams!"
- Ugh the constan dream ad reruns
  trying to get back in a nightmare to avoid seeing puppymonkeybaby again
  Cannabis will be sold as a way to escape the constant dreamvertising.
  
  I can't even smoke anymore... Stupid anxiety... THC triggers panic attacks and I've finally gotten to the point where even if my bowl is 90% CBD it still gets me...
  
  I had to look up what puppymonkeybaby is, thinking “am I too young for his”
  Tommy horror, I am now too old for this.

What an absolutely terrible fucking idea.
Can't wait for major story spoilers to show up full-screen on the background of the homescreen because clickbaiters on YouTube are fucking assholes.
Also really don't need product placement on the home, I am on my PS5 to play games, not to fucking buy stuff. It's a console, not a goddamn webshop.
This really needs an option to get disabled.
Edit: Reading again it just seems to get worse. Looking at the alternative game ads, offers and promotions when selecting a game seems borderline against consumer laws, at least in EU. Especially kids could be easily targeted and triggered by this. Also most of these examples make it look like you're starting up an entirely different game, it's just such a awful update all together. No self-respecting interface designer would come up with this, it's 100% corporate predatory marketing cunts that came up with this kind of stuff.
- I heard from another lemmy user that his new Xbox required him to click an ad to finish booting up. So with a grain of salt MS' consoles are even worse. If this continues and i don't see why it won't, PC gaming gonna be the only viable one soon. Thank God steamdeck and valve Linux collab are now a thing
  
  Holy shit, this is full blown verification can shit.
  
  My piece of shit, $1800 Vizio TV does that. I can't even default it to a specific input without clicking through an ad.
- Ugh I love Steam but when I click on a new game, sometimes it’s like WATCH THIS STREAMER STREAM and it’s in the middle of the game like I WANT GO INTO IT BLIND GIVE ME AN OPTION TO DISABLE THIS
  
  If you are taking about the storefront you can disable that completely in your options.
  
  I either GoG or pirate these days. You want my money? Then respectfully sell me the product.
- It's a console, not a goddamn webshop.
  Console makers see them as one and the same. This being Lemmy I have to advise that the only solution is to own your own machine, so best build your own hardware, install Linux, and compile all the games you want to play yourself.
  
  I have a PC, with Windows though, I can't be bothered with the limited Linux support and hardware woes that come with it.
  I only played a few exclusives on the PS5 before, most recently Astro Bot, but since everything else is basically coming to PC I recently upgraded it anyway. It's becoming less and less appealing to even bother with consoles anymore. Even Nintendo seems to barely bother to dare anything innovating.

Artist: designs really cool visual for gamers to see before launching
Sony: "Oooo, free ad real-estate!"

Sweet, just in time for the pro. Fingers crossed the next revision doesn't play games at all, just $1000 to pipe Morbius trailers to my TV. It's all I ever wanted.
- Sony will just flash their 30th anniversary skin again and people will forget and drool all over again.
  
  Isn't it rad that Sony designed the ps5 to have easily replaceable side panels and then for some reason only releases the really cool panels as part of a full console?
- I don't know if you were part of the memers who got Morbius re-released but if so hats off because back then my in-laws were so excited to show me this movie they discovered on Netflix.
  Just so well done

Sony looking at the rotting corpse of Xbox and taking notes. But only the wrong ones.
- At least Microsoft hasn't announced a marginally improved $700 pro console that doesn't even come with the disk drive.
  Yet.
  
  I wonder if anybody remembers when it leaked Microsoft had a concept of a plan about restrictions on Xbox discs (used/shared), everyone gasped, Sony mocked them in a video about "sharing discs" on PS4 and became a turning point in the console wars...
  Even a decade later: Remove discs at your peril! Half the reason I've even bought consoles is for Blu-ray movies (still unbeatable AV quality). Sony won both the console and disc drive wars FFS! Still not enough. "Line must go up more!"
  I hope MS is at least mocking them back right now, for giggles. Before announcing a very similar thing next year...
  
  Yeah, but how long until it doesn't come with a power brick, and you have to supply your own?
- They are doing this because a rotten corpse doesn’t force them to compete, they can do whatever they want. If MS didn’t shit the bed with the Series X/S, Sony would be trying harder to please customers, or at least not actively screwing them (see also: 800 EUR PS5 Pro without disc drive or vertical stand).

$80/yr subscription to play online
30% cut from all sales
Ads on homescreen
Lackluster game library, busy remastering perfectly good games
Single purpose device
PS5 will be my last ever console. I don't see the value proposition in consoles anymore with the rise of PC handhelds.
- Even better. The steamdeck is like the Switch. Dock it and play on your TV. You can even render on a gaming PC and stream to your TV of you want those cutting edge graphics.
- Agreed. Just canceled PS Plus. Fuck Sony for the shitty bender they've been on.
- Same for me with my series x, MS has all the same bullshit

Now I see why they never allowed custom backgrounds like the PS4. They wanted to do this from the beginning.

$700 gets you a pretty nice PC these days.....
- Or two Steam Decks!
  
  Or one steam deck and a fuck ton of games!

Crazy stuff... Ads everywhere. Makes my choice to not buy any console this generation seem a lot better. It saved me money and I don't get ads forced on me. I call that a win win.
- Is steam deck a console? From this gen?
  Either way it's pretty good. You don't even need to run their os if you don't want to.
  
  At this point, the distinction between console and PC comes down to the corporate side. The PS4 and PS5 operating systems are based on a BSD (probably FreeBSD but not sure), and are capable of running a desktop OS (as long as hackers find a way to bypass Sony's locked-down firmware). XBox One and Series use a Windows-based OS, also locked down by Microsoft to only run the applications they want.
  Everything about the Steam Deck is designed with gaming in mind, but in terms of capabilities, it's no different from a PC. You could hook it up to a USB-C dock and use it for work. I'd sooner call it a handheld PC than a console.
  
  I would argue that it's a handheld PC since it's not locked down to heck and back. It would also be the one thing I would buy but I have no use case for it so I don't.
- I still enjoy my PS5 for a few exclusives I play on it. But damn I'm getting very much triggered to just go back to exclusively PC gaming.

Ads have ruined the internet. Truly.
- Ads have ruined everything.

"Game will start after ad: 1 of 5" 😂🤣😭
- A game you paid for. On a console you also paid for. And you also pay for PS Plus as well.
- Don't give them ideas, holy shit. Ads are already present in some sports games, though, afaik
  
  Well with sports games at least its "a realistic part of the experience"
  Like when you watch a live sporting event on TV, there's always commericals in-between the action. In that sense it fits the meta.
  Also, sports games are the worst, pay 80 bucks every year for an updated roster and tweaks to the mechanics.

Build a PC
Install Linux
Fuck corporate bullshit.
- What distro tho?
  
  If you're coming from Windows, something that runs KDE Plasma will feel very familiar.
  
  Very happy with Linux Mint
  
  Real talk: whichever one makes you happy. Do a little research with some search terms such as "play {game} on Linux" and see what other users are running. Then, assemble a few live disks and test-pilot a few distros.
  It's pretty fun getting to switch out your OS so freely and once you find an interface that feels good, you just plop your ass into that seat. If you keep decent records of your configs and such, you might find yourself starting over again multiple times while you "try to get it right." That's not failure, that's just advancing your skills and making yourself happy.
  Linux can be as simple or as advanced as you want it to be.
  
  Bazzite use the home theatre version for a console like experience. Or go with the desktop versions Gnome and KDE both work really well however the emudeck devs have programmed it to work with KDE if you wanted to use that go with KDE.
  
  Pop!OS for no video card hassle
  
  Anything popular enough that you can easily google anything you need to troubleshoot. Beyond that, doesn't really matter which one.
  
  Anything but Ubuntu will be perfectly fine. There really isn't that much difference between the major distributions.
- So are you just going to run around this community posting this same comment whenever something happens?
  
  As both a Linux professional and freedom loving enthusiast that hates corporate bullshit, you bet your black ass I am. The block button is also free.
- But then I'd be a Linux cringelord 😬
  
  So a step up from crayon-eater?

PCMasterRace. Each year, your consoles get shittier.
- To be fair, Windows is getting worse every year as well and Linux isn't officially supported by most developers so you kinda need to compromise somewhere.
  I personally went with Linux because I got fed up with Windows bullshit and the games I can't play are mostly games I'm not really interested in playing in the first place.
  
  The good thing is that Linux is officially becoming a market space that they have to pay attention to or lose money. Not because of us, but steam deck normalized it. 4% of users doesn't sound like a lot, but to a company who is desperate enough to put ads everywhere just to make a few pennies, well, it may be worth it now
  
  This is where I'm at too. I'm so fucking mad at the trajectory Microsuck is taking because I love indie games and getting into early access stuff and they often don't work on Linux. Plus star citizen... Stupid anti cheat stuff doesn't play nice with Linux :/
- Microsoft master race, get it right.
  
  gross.

I'm so glad I quit consoles. Now I'm just rooting for steam to get every game running perfectly in linux so we don't have to deal with Windows either.
- Still have to deal with DRM and not owning your games

The arrogance of tech giants has never been higher.

Well, finally. There are still so many unused seconds in a day where the consumer cattle is not forcibly blasted with advertisements, it brings tears to the eyes...

Guess I'm staying with my PS4 then. Fuck upgrading if all I'm gonna get for it is ads and like, 2 more games..

I didn't know this was something I agreed to when I bought my console.
Now to figure out if I can block this.
- I didn’t know this was something I agreed to when I bought my console.
  That's 'cause it wasn't! Sony is "exceeding authorized access" -- a felony under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act -- but won't be prosecuted for $ome rea$on.
  
  i guarantee you in the fine print they say they have the right to change anything they want any time.

There is no reason to get a PS5. There are hardly any exclusives worth playing. The games it does have are either on Xbox, which is generally cheaper to invest in, (especially if it's on gamepass) with the series s. Most games are locked at 30 fps anyway. And now you HAVE to see ads?
Just get a PC or if you really want to stay with consoles, the series s or x on sale are the only options that make some bit of sense. But still, a PC is worth saving for.
- The only redeeming thing about the PS5 is the support for standard NVME SSDs. But at that point, just get a PC.
- A PC is something different and not really comparable to a console if all you're interested in is a hassle-free, straightforward gaming experience. Economies of scale make it so that a PS5 is just plain better than any PC you could cook up for that price.
  Plus, exclusives are a factor for console choice, sure, but I'd argue that the performance boost relative to PS4 models is worth the price. I can only speak for myself, obviously, but I've been really happy with my PS4 for these last four years.
  
  Same, still playing my ps4, probably won't buy a ps5 though. I'll just wait for ps6 or whatever to happen. As of now ps4 plays elden ring and bloodborne(two of my favorite games) so I'm content with it.
- Most games are locked at 30 fps anyway
  No?

Torment Nexus has been supplanted by the MORONIC Nexus

By the sounds of it, Sony isn't even getting paid for these ads. They're replacing the art with shit like a video explaining what the universe is. It's just an algorithm they put in to keep it "fresh" and it's amazingly shitty.
- It's not an algorithm, it's just the latest news for the game. The news feature has been a part of ps5 since the beginning. This is replacing key art with the picture for the news article/video and the title replacing the games logo.
  
  I'll accept it's a bug tbh. There's no money in this.
  Seems like it's auto selecting the first "news" thing for the game rather than leaving it on the default game splash screen.

Please drink verification can to unpause.

Whats even the point? I get so many ads that they are almost entirely ineffective now. Its just white noise, the sound of the wind, the idle thoughts in my brain I am just hit with so many that none stick.

Looks like the console wasn't expensive enough!

You know, I was really sick and tired when they updated the nvidia shield with the new android TV version that makes most of the screen show stuff that are basically ads. It didn't even let me show only stuff I was interested in and this constant "oh you are hovering over this item for 0.000001s so you seem to be interested in this, let me start the video for you with audio" no god damnit I was reading something else or got a text.
I had to install a different launcher so that I could only show on the screen what I actually wanted to see. I have basically removed or reduced all ads as much as I ca.
Lately, I was at my parents place and they don't have that stuff. Even the 1.5 minutes of ads for a free service is so disruptive to me watching something.
What has this to do with PlayStation?
Well, on the shield you are still able to install a custom launcher that is more to your liking, you could disable the internet access and completely stream your own local content. But on the PS, you don't have that option and are completely at the mercy of what they think you should watch and see on your screen that you bought with a console that you also bought with your own money.

This is satire right?

For those already owning one - try setting up pihole or an equivalent. Sony could be serving ads from a domain used by something like a cdn, but I bet they don't.
- It's not an ad per se. They're replacing the key art and game logo with the picture and title of the latest news post for the game you're on.

Whelp looks like the ps4 will be my last Sony console, too bad
- same and only console i had, my brother has a ps5 he hardly uses anymore.

again, Concord was expensive 😡
-sony, probably

I'm sure that'll help PS5 Pro sales.

Guess it's time to sell the PS5 that I don't play anymore anyway.

This isn't actually ads, just the news tab being brought up front, on steam it would be the top row in your library if you didn't remove it, it's a good idea with terrible execution, everytime I see an update over there I go check out the game.
- Interesting. This makes more sense. Curious to see what we hear going forward.

every day im seeing my lack of dedicated internet access as more a good thing

The PS5 was such a disappointing mispurchase. I was so excited to finally get one... It just doesn't feel like any major improvement over a PS4. It is just gathering dust except for the occasional Blu-ray movie.

good i got a pc tbh
a story idk why and 2 years later i decided to dualboot windows and linux later and then in late 2025 am gonna wipe windows off my pc not using trash 11
yeah Its sad sony decided to go this route

I think this was my last console, I'll return to PC.

It always seems like 1 step forward, 2 steps back with console gaming

I'm so done buying console games, and consoles.
Not just because of this shit either. Games just run better on my PC. Like, a LOT better. Only thing I really use PS5 for anymore is playing blu-ray movies.

Ironic.
It was only a matter of time.

Hate when this shit is pulled, wonder if it om the pro. Imagine paying pro prices for unstoppable ads.
This is also directly targetted to people giving additional money. If you are connected to the internet you are likely, or previously, a subscriber. If you are not paying a sub you are more likely to disconnect and not be affected.

All for the low low price of most of your money, most of your spare time, and most of "the best years of your life"
wow, hold me back.

Build a gaming rig on Newegg credit, pay it off interest free in 12-24 months depending on current deals.

Noticed this last night. Shadow of the Tomb Raider, a game old AF has advertisement for Merch.
Jedi Survivor adre rises the EA gaming pass or whatever.
This is super shitty!

Shame on console

Reminds me of the Steam news page

There is no reason to get a console. sure they can be a bit more convenient but all the negatives are much worse than any of the positives

It's upsetting how news outlets can now call anything an ad to generate outrage and people here just eat it up. Something about that word seems to turn people's brains off and they start commenting misinformation.
This is:
A feature to show you news from the game you're about to play.
Badly designed since it can't be turned off and it covers the entire screen.
Prone to abuse for ads.
This is not:
An ad.
A money making venture by sony.
Unique to playstation.
- I don't know, it's a bit hard to assume this was an accident and just a poorly implemented feature. It does cover the screen with the most recent news post, but that's often an ad, and even on first-party titles like Horizon it just covers the screen with a giant ad for the upcoming lego horizon.
  At best it was a feature to shove game news into everyone's face with no way to turn it off.
- On other news, welcome to my blog adshittification. The blog that uncovers the sinister truth about the ads being shown in your throat! This week's highlights:
  Youtube still hasn't stopped ruining my week by filling up those precious few seconds between opening a video and going fullscreenwith intrusive ads that cover a quarter of your screen, and still even then you can't stop the wall of ads that show up after the video finishes:
  
  I opened up steam to play some factorio to calm my nerves, but I got greeted by an illegal ad telling me to kill myself:
  
  So instead I opened library home to play something alse, only to be assaulted by more ads at the top!
  
  I decided to give up trying to play. Normally I would open reddit next but I haven't been using it since they put promotions in the post screen:
  
  Thankfully lemmy is immune to such corporate bs
  
  No lemmy-chan not you too!

Personally, it doesn’t bother me. I use my PS5 to game and stream shows. I spend a grand total of mere seconds on the Home Screen.
Can’t quite understand why this is such a big problem. But we’re all into our own things so it is what it is.
- It kind of dampens and cheapens the experience of using the console. The PS+ tab and the PS Store tab are, essentially, full of ads already but at least they're contained to the two left-most tabs on the home menu. Sure, you usually don't stick around too long after selecting a game to play or a streaming service to watch something off, but I'd rather not see more ads than needed when the current system already works well as is.
  
  Yeah. I get that. It makes sense, but I just don’t see it as some thing that really bothers me that much. I spent decades watching TV ads though, so, maybe I’m just more patient?
- It doesn't have to bother you personally to be unfair. I don't pay this amount of money on their games and consoles to be bombarded by ads. It's not a "big" problem, but it is a problem. Some people don't want to see so many ads, to be tempted to buy stuff all the time or have a bloated home screen.
  Just because you don't mind doesn't mean everyone has to do so as well.
- It gets clicks from angry people, that's the only reason IGN do anything these days.
  Sad that they bought Eurogamer, because they were one of the last sites that hadn't gone to complete shit.
  
  That makes sense. Seems I am too though. Doesn’t change the fact that I’ve no idea why they’re so upset about it.

180 comments