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Sony REALLY needs to implement folders on PS4, this is a pain
- Thread starter NinjaBoiX
- Start date
I'm not really sure why I'm replying to this because I think there is room for discussion to my original post, I just don't feel this is it.
Congrats, you have a recent model that in no way accounts for the multiple millions that greatly outnumber you who have the 500GB model.
Which is what I also said. I gave 15 as an average. The most I ever managed to fit was 22 and that was riddled with smaller indie titles and 1 or 2 larger AAA titles I was playing at the time.
Given GAF's rather heavy favor of consumer rights and definition of ownership I feel rather confident in that assessment.
I wish you had worded this better because I'm not actually sure what you're saying here so if you read this and I've misunderstood forgive me.
Now you want folders because you have even less games on your hard drive? And that's it despite having a 1TB model? I use all of that stuff too (on a 500GB model) and currently have 8 games installed (BLOPS III, Fallout 4, Uncharted Collection, MGSV, Rocket League, WWE 2K16, DriveClub and Ground Zeroes) with 165.7GBs to spare.
And you're Library is a separate thing to manage your downloads. If something isn't downloaded it has this little white arrow on the bottom right of the tile. It would take no more time to discern between these than having a folder for what's not installed. And how would you not know what you currently have installed?
I never said anyone would be confused by folders but given that game files are so large with comparitively small stock HDDs I don't see their use when so little can actually be installed at one time. And honestly I very much doubt the majority of PS4 gamers are installing bigger hard drives to make this some sort of mass issue. I'd love to see some numbers if they are out there though.
Congrats, you have a recent model that in no way accounts for the multiple millions that greatly outnumber you who have the 500GB model.
Which is what I also said. I gave 15 as an average. The most I ever managed to fit was 22 and that was riddled with smaller indie titles and 1 or 2 larger AAA titles I was playing at the time.
Given GAF's rather heavy favor of consumer rights and definition of ownership I feel rather confident in that assessment.
I wish you had worded this better because I'm not actually sure what you're saying here so if you read this and I've misunderstood forgive me.
Now you want folders because you have even less games on your hard drive? And that's it despite having a 1TB model? I use all of that stuff too (on a 500GB model) and currently have 8 games installed (BLOPS III, Fallout 4, Uncharted Collection, MGSV, Rocket League, WWE 2K16, DriveClub and Ground Zeroes) with 165.7GBs to spare.
And you're Library is a separate thing to manage your downloads. If something isn't downloaded it has this little white arrow on the bottom right of the tile. It would take no more time to discern between these than having a folder for what's not installed. And how would you not know what you currently have installed?
I never said anyone would be confused by folders but given that game files are so large with comparitively small stock HDDs I don't see their use when so little can actually be installed at one time. And honestly I very much doubt the majority of PS4 gamers are installing bigger hard drives to make this some sort of mass issue. I'd love to see some numbers if they are out there though.
Lord Error
Insane For Sony
Current UI is focused on a (probably correct) paradigm to cater to users who play the last few purchased games or watch netflix among that. All that those users want to play or watch is right there on a very first screen. For packrats and backloggers like there's lots of people on this forum (including myself) who buy games that they never play but still want to have easy access to them juuust in case, the system is far from ideal. I've learned to let go of that mentality for the most part, and just play what I actually want to play, and it's right there for me to play.
It kinda saddens me to see so many straight up defend wanting to have less features and not make the UI better. I'm done really talking about it, seems more would rather be content with where the UI is. PS4 is my least favorite UI out of what I own, even the 3DS and Vita is more advanced and allows for customization.
Oppo
Member
make an actual argument, who knows, maybe it will he addressed? did you read my posts?
you're surrounded by muggles, Durante.
I fully agree. What's worse is that some of advanced features are gone altogether, not just hidden behind a menu too.
That said, the main thing I would like to change for the PS4 is bundling of all system non game icons. I don't need a separate icon for captures and video services and so forth, especially since they move up to the front somewhat inconsistently. Put them all under a single Media box. Add that and a pinning option so I can have: most recent, disc (if any), 5 pinned (old or new), then 10 or so recents, then go to library.
autoduelist
Member
You don't have to 'beg' them. They know what their library feature is, and how they want to evolve it over the long run. They also have a huge list of other projects of varying degrees of priority on their to-do list.
Your 'begging' has nothing to do with it. It won't come sooner because you beg. And when it does come, it wasn't because you begged.
The feature was left out of launch firmware because it was unnecessary at the time -- nobody had a large library. And now the only thing that keeps us from it is limited time; OS coders have a laundry list of features they need/want to implement, and they don't necessarily get to choose what is the biggest priority.
perfectsil
Member
Strange to see the "I don't need it" posts, if folders feature is there you don't need to use it, the rest of us want to use it, it doesn't affect you
autoduelist
Member
While I would like the feature, you're forgetting that any OS development comes at the cost of other OS development. Someone that only plays SP games might not care about friends notifications, or communities, or anything of that sort... and would rather they focus OS dev resources on stuff like folders. And vice versa. But the OS team needs to evaluate everything on their priority list and do their best to make everyone [including marketing] happy.
And marketing might decide a store redesign is more important than something like folders facilitating large libraries, since a) people with large libraries are going to most likely continue buying games even without folders, and b) most people play 1 or 2 games at a time, so library folders aren't particularly important to them.
If everything was zero dev time and existed in a vacuum, sure, folders would be essential. But that's not how this works. So the people saying 'I don't need it' do have something of value to say, since they're essentially saying 'work on other priority projects, please!'. [I do want folders].
I understand people really want to organize and customize everything on their PS4, and thats fine, I hope Sony is working on it.
That said, I personally find the PS4 UI and it's lack of organization kind of genius. I love that I don't have to bother thinking about organizing anything, usually what I just installed or what I have been playing/using is just right there.
I also have a hard time sympathizing with anyone when they throw around phrases like "Surely it's one of he easiest coding jobs out there" when they most likely have no idea. Sure building out a complete and functional folder feature for PS4 isn't a huge engineering feat by any means, but implementing and testing substantial OS changes to be deployed on tens of millions of devices is never "easy" even for the simple stuff.
Don't get me wrong, Sony is a big company with lots of resources, I'm not giving them excuses. The engineer in me just dies a little inside whenever someone just declares anything they want "easy"
That said, I personally find the PS4 UI and it's lack of organization kind of genius. I love that I don't have to bother thinking about organizing anything, usually what I just installed or what I have been playing/using is just right there.
I also have a hard time sympathizing with anyone when they throw around phrases like "Surely it's one of he easiest coding jobs out there" when they most likely have no idea. Sure building out a complete and functional folder feature for PS4 isn't a huge engineering feat by any means, but implementing and testing substantial OS changes to be deployed on tens of millions of devices is never "easy" even for the simple stuff.
Don't get me wrong, Sony is a big company with lots of resources, I'm not giving them excuses. The engineer in me just dies a little inside whenever someone just declares anything they want "easy"
Version 3.0
Member
I concur. Folders, and sorting / filter options.
The disorganized look seems to be the big thing these days, both on the OS and digital storefronts. I'm not a fan.
The disorganized look seems to be the big thing these days, both on the OS and digital storefronts. I'm not a fan.
Version 3.0
Member
Sony does take feedback, do they not? I'm not well-versed on the topic, but I'm pretty sure I saw a "most wanted features" list that was collected from users by Sony, officially. And Sony responded to it, saying something along the lines of "we love feedback and want to prioritize what our fans want".
So begging does work, features do come sooner because of begging, and do come because of begging.
InfiniteCombo
Banned
You may like the approach, and that's completely fine, but calling it "kind of genius" is a bit of a stretch.
Also, even if there were folders on the PS4, Sony is not forcing you to use them, so I don't understand the "I don't have to bother thinking about organizing anything" comment. Actually, not just folders... This applies to most optional features out there.
I think you missed the part where I said "I understand people want this and hope sony is working on it"
InfiniteCombo
Banned
Nope, didn't miss it. Was hoping for an "train of thought"/explanation to the "genius" comment.
So even if one thing is bad, at least there is something that is worse? Convincing argumentation.
Nope. I realize I'm not in the majority of PS4 owners, having upgraded my internet hard drive, but we're out there. And it's funny how you look at something like MMORPGs that cater to the "whales" yet we aren't being catered to here. Sony should want people to buy as many games as they can, but when you do, you kind of get punished for doing so by an ever-worsening UI.
Even still, the moment you have more games than can fit onto the main list, you should have the ability to sort them better. Hell, you could have four games, and if you want to have those in a folder instead of just in the list, you should be able to do that. Folders should be a basic concept of every OS, and if you've designed one that has a UI that doesn't work well with folders, you've designed a terrible UI.
GAF isn't a person. And you have to appreciate the fact that you don't hear a lot from the digital owners on here because they don't have a lot to fight for (other than UI) until you get the point of getting screwed out of content. Every PS4 game comes out digitally, so I never have to think about that. Meanwhile, these days, you're never certain if a game is going to hit physically or not, so people tend to be louder (and bitchier) about getting games physically. Thus, I think that can skew the assumption of what "most" people want.
I use a lot of the non-game stuff (apps and whatnot), and because of that, my list of 15 games is never a list of 15 games. It's a list of some games and some apps, because I use both on a regular basis. So, my point was people are saying you're getting a listing of the last 15 games you've played, but that isn't true the moment you start using any of the PS4's other app-based functions.
I have 1,394 digital items attached to my PSN account as of this moment. When I go into my PS4 Library, it's already quite a list. Sure, I'm smart enough to be able to tell what is and isn't downloaded, but why can't I filter that? Again, filters are something we've had for years. There's absolutely no reason why the Library can't and shouldn't have an option to only show me what's currently downloaded on my hard drive.
Not everyone plays games the same way. People like me tend to jump around, and suddenly decide at a moment's notice that they want to play a game they haven't touched in months or even years. I do the exact same thing with music, or movies. That's why I love organization, because I hate having to just dig through a big pile of stuff until I find the thing I'm looking for. I'm also super anal about organization of physical things. For the physical games I own, everything is sorted by platform, by country, by special packaging (if applicable), and then alphabetically. I instantly know how to find stuff. I want the same on the digital site—I hate the "hunt and peck" nature of today's systems. (On my PS3, I've got folders for digital versions of PS3 retail games, PS3 non-retail games, PS1, PS2, Retro games, Demos, etc.)
And no, I don't know everything I've got downloaded at the moment! *laughs* I've got digital games on my PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, 3DS, PS Vita, PSP, computer, iPhone, and whatever else. I can't even remember the names and faces of people I'm met multiple times, my memory is too full to commit to trying to keep mental track of every game every system I own has installed on it.
Wasn't directed firmly at you, just in general, as it's a comment I keep seeing come up in this thread (and others).
Part of what bugs me about this is I'm also someone who works in and has a bizarre obsession with UI, so it drives me nuts when companies get lazy or complacent or screw up their work on interfaces. I mean, how many years are we into the existence of the PlayStation Store, and we still can't filter our downloads lists. (And by god, don't tell me we don't need that—as someone who just picked up a second Vita and is re-downloading stuff, doing so is utter torture.)
There are very simple elements Sony could implement for sorting or filtering or organizing or whatever that would give those like me who want it what we want, and those who don't want it could just ignore. And I know it can be done because I've done it—and if it can't be done on the PS4, with its current OS, then the people behind the development of the OS are incompetent. UI design is about the balance between what people "need" and what they "want", but we're talking about some utterly basic stuff here. This isn't higher level, enthusiast-only stuff.
silver.tongue
Member
Seriously, it cant be that hard to add folders come on...
autoduelist
Member
You misunderstand me. Yes, if they ask for feedback, then give it. That's not 'begging'. The poster I responded to said "It so stupid to have to beg them to add this feature."
You don't. It's a given it's on the priority list. Sony would gladly give it to us today if they could, but they are balancing that feature alongside 100 others.
Do you see the difference? One is: Sony wants to know what is important to us, and will plan accordingly. That's sane, and normal, and makes sense. The other is 'we need to beg to get things!' --- that's simply not true, and makes everyone [us, Sony] sound terrible when really it's a given that we don't get every single feature day 1, so of course there are priorities.
Version 3.0
Member
It's not much of a difference, really just optimism vs. pessimism. But point taken.
flatearthpandas
Member
As much as I would love folders, I wish they could figure out basic stability before anything else. My system has hard locked in standby something like 8 times in just the last week, which is bullshit and worse than the Wii U ever was, which used to be my worst performing console I'd ever owned as far as that went.
But yeah, fix the standby, add folders or at some level of basic user defined content organization, and fuck all the useless social bullshit until then.
But yeah, fix the standby, add folders or at some level of basic user defined content organization, and fuck all the useless social bullshit until then.
But I still want to access Netflix and iPlayer. And I would ideally like to create this trash folder under the TV section since I never go to the library.
Saint of Killers
Member
I am one of those who doesn't really care about folders. But! If it were up to me I would add them, along with other UI improvements. I just don't see it as something that is terribly urgent, and find the drama in certain posts in this thread to be incredibly OTT.
how about updating the companion app so you can browse what you want to play before even switching your PS4 on, and then set it to the front of the queue, or if the PS4 is on, it'll launch the game?
Whenever you get very large libraries, navigating with a remote control isn't great, so why not move that to the tablet/phone where it'll be easier? Then leave the basic PS4 alone which still lets you access the most recently played quickly
Whenever you get very large libraries, navigating with a remote control isn't great, so why not move that to the tablet/phone where it'll be easier? Then leave the basic PS4 alone which still lets you access the most recently played quickly
Memorabilia
Member
Before the current gen launched, the same argument was frequently made in regards to the paltry 500gb hard drive size. "It's good enough". Unfortunately, as you noted, you're gaming habits are in the minority. It seems the reality for most gamers is they like to keep a lot of games on their hard drives so they can pick up n play a large variety of games on a whim without having to delete games and then wait for another to install.
Both problems - lack of hard drive space and lack of adequate organizational systems - are closely related. As this gen moves forward and more people collect more games it's only going to get worse. In the grand scheme of things, part of me feels like these are shining examples of "first world problems". Hehe But, having said that, they're also perfect examples of how companies often display stunning lack of foresight. These are problems that were easy to predict and prevent. And, yet, here we are. Usually, when that's the case it's because profits are put above customer convenience (in the case of small hard drives at launch). And in others its just being tone deaf or incompetent (in the case of a lack of good organization system).
Taken together, both problems are more annoying than deal breakers. But really there's no good excuse for this to not have been solved by now.
Screw that. Where's my external HDD option, Sony??
I don't want to open my Ps4 dammit!!!
It's designed to allow replacement. It's not even opening it, its a cover that slides off then its pretty much plug and play like a thumb drive.
right? who wants a hard drive + usb cable constantly sticking out the front of their PS4 either
Someone who wants to ...add...to the storage already there instead of replacing it. It doesnt have to be constantly sticking out. I assume its not that way for XBO.
500GB PS4
500GB XBO
Add bigger harddrive to PS4 ...replace 500GB with 2TB
Add bigger to XBO....keep 500GB and add 2TB. Or of its even possible replace the 500GB on the XBO with 2TB and have a 2TB external. With external harddrive support one could have 6TB of storage for their use....in addition the whats already included with the console.
As one who had to replace their PS4 harddrive within 2 months because of the size of games and how many I had....yea...I wish it did have external harddrive support. I try to advise anyone who wants a PS4 to get a bigger harddrive with the console before even playing any games on it. I dont feel 1TB is gonna cut it.
As for folders...yea the PS4 took a step back with this. Hell, I would kindly take being able to pin games where I want them instead of most recent used being up front.
the only USB ports on the PS4 are right up front, so you'd have an unsightly cable there all the time
Right. Expandable would be nice, but so would be a back USB port. I imagine that might be something we'll see in a future revision.
Consumer
Member
I'd welcome the feature, but it's not very useful unless you're someone that constantly switches between many games, which makes no sense (unless you swap between a few multiplayer games). If you complete a game, you should then move on to the next game, simple as that. It seems detracting to multitask between several games, constantly changing control schemes & trying to remember the game's lore/story, etc...
Bottom line, this is a non-issue unless you constantly switch between 10+ games at a time. But why would you do that? And even then, your recent games are all very close together on the XMB so again, it's a non-issue.
Bottom line, this is a non-issue unless you constantly switch between 10+ games at a time. But why would you do that? And even then, your recent games are all very close together on the XMB so again, it's a non-issue.
entremet
Member
Not a priority. That's all. They're selling tons of ps4s and no need to rush.
Xander Crews
Member
Agreed. I say just change the internal drive. Do it once with a 2TB drive and you're done. Now you've got it all in one package that you can move if needed without a drive hanging off of the PS4.
Even if all games were 50GB, and really only some of the AAA titles are, that's 40 games you can have installed at once.