While we got a PS4 system update this past May, it seems Sony is prepping to release the PS4 system software update 8.00, as that firmware’s in the beta testing phase.

Over on Twitter, multiple people from Japan have revealed that they’ve been invited to the PS4 system software update 8.00 beta:

As you can see from the translated text, the beta seems to be focusing on party chat once again. Players who got a code will be able to invite 20 other people to join in as well. While this seems to be happening for Japan just now, that’s to be expected, and this should roll out soon for NA and other regions as well. Based on the tweets, it mentions how party chat will change considerably, players will no longer be able to hide parties, and that you can see text chat of people who do not use video chat from the party screen and more.

Update: We have verified the validity of the update.

Here is the full official patch notes and features found in the PS4 8.00 firmware update. This update weighs a little under 500mb.

PS4 8.00 firmware update changelog 

• • The following changes have been made to Party and Messages
    • When starting a party, you can now choose to create a new group or select an existing group. When you create a new group, it’ll be saved even after the party has ended. You can start a new party with the same members by selecting the group that you previously created.
    • You can now use your group across party and messages. you can send messages to a group you created for a party, or start a party with a group you’ve messaged with.
    • Messages have been added to the screen during parties. When you select messages, you’ll see the messages exchanged between members of your group.
    • The public/private settings for parties have been removed. Only members of the group can join the party.
    • You can now change your party settings from the options menu that displays on the screen when you select party. You can also manage your party connection settings when you select [Party Voice Chat Cnnection], which has been added to the party settings.
    • Members of your party can now see when your mic is muted.
    • You can now join parties even if there are members that you’ve blocked. When you join a party with a blocked member, or when a blocked member joins the party, you’ll receive a notification. During the party, you won’t hear each other, and the game you’re playing, as well as your Share Play status, won’t be displayed. In addition, the blocked member won’t be notified that you’ve blocked them.
    • Play Together sessions can no longer be started during a party. For online multiplayer games, you can start a game session within the game.
  • The following changes have been made to parental controls.
    • Communicating with other players and viewing content created by other players have been combined and are now communication and user-generated content. If you’ve selected “Not Allowed” for either of the settings, the same setting will transfer after the update.

Other updated features:

• Mute all microphones has been added to the quick menu under sound/devices. This setting mutes all microphones connected to your PS4.
• The following changes have been made for communities
  • You can no longer create parties from the Community area. You’ll need to create a group in a party.
• You can no longer create a new even in Events – Events created before the update will still be held, and events and tournaments hosted by game developers will continue to take place.
• For some features, the content displayed on the screen has changed, as well as the screen design.

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Of course, this being a beta, don’t expect all features to be available. Based on participants’ reaction, there’s quite some work to be done as well. Once we know more info about this, we’ll be sure to let our readers know. We’ve contacted Sony about it and will update the post if we get a reply.