Coming out of it’s beta stage, PS4 update 8.50 is now live, and while it adds a few new features, it also takes away access to the user generated PlayStation communities.

PS4 Update 8.50 Patch Notes

Size: 481MB

Manual Download (via USB if console can’t connect to network): https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/ps4/system-software/

Main Features in This System Software Beta

• In messages, you can now turn notifications on/off for each of the groups you’re in. On the group screen, open then options menu and select “Turn Notifications Off”.

Other Updates Features

• On the game session screen, you can now use the “Request to Join” button to ask the session leader to join their game. The session leader can then send you an invite to join the game session.
• When playing a game you’ve hidden, other players will no longer see you play it.
• Communities are no longer available.
• Cross-generation Share Play. PS4 and PS5 players can now Share Play together while chatting in parties. This means PS5 console users can let their friends on PS4 consoles view their game screen, or even try out the PS5 games through Share Play, and vice versa. Options include the ability to share your screen with a friend, pass your controller virtually to a friend, or pass a second controller virtually to play co-op games together.
• Request to Join Game Session. A selection of your friends’ joinable game sessions will now appear on both PS5 and PS4 consoles, allowing for more gameplay opportunities together. The “Request to Join” option also serves as a shortcut to sending a game invite, reducing the time it takes for you to get into games with friends. Through the Privacy Settings menu, you can modify who can interact with you through parties, games and messages.

That’s about it for this system update. If we find anything else, we’ll let our readers know.