Sony details PS4 interface, user accounts, and more at GDC

Link.

Chris Norton, senior staff engineer from the strategy team for developer services and support at Sony Computer Entertainment America, showed off the console's interface and pointed out that it will show information about a game including comments from other players and downloadable content before you boot up a game.

A "digest" screen tells you what your PlayStation Network friends are playing at the moment, and you'll have the option to use their real names, which will show up in games. If you link your PSN account to your Facebook account, you'll be required to use your real name (or, presumably, whatever name is on your Facebook account). If some players haven't linked their accounts, then everyone will have to agree to use their real names in order for all players to see them.

In a game, you might see a player's real name overlaid on a part of a race course, for example. According to Norton, Sony wants to put players' real names into games wherever it makes sense. User accounts are tied to a player or controller, not a single PS4 console. And Norton said that Sony is increasing the PSN friend limit PlayStation 3 users are limited to 100 friends.

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Remote Play with the PlayStation Vita is also baked into the PS4, and both the handheld screen and TV will mirror each other, instead of the TV showing a message telling you to look at the PS Vita. Since the PS Vita doesn't have triggers like the DualShock 4, a default controller mapping for those buttons will be available, and developers can customize that layout. The new PlayStation Eye, a depth-sensing device with two cameras, plugs into the PS4 with a proprietary connector, not through USB.

Polygon

I don't mind using my real name, but I can see that being contentious for most people. When Blizard tried doing that with Battle Net, nearly the whole community rallied against it.

The social features seem all right, but I wish there were video of it. Hard to get a feel for it without an actual demonstration to watch.

I prefer usernames to real ones when playing video games. Also, I would like to know more about the PlayStation 4's game streaming capabilities.

Just do what I did, make a gaming account on Facebook with a fake name and link that account. Screw Sony and using real names, that's just stupid and setting yourself up for trouble.

Just do what I did, make a gaming account on Facebook with a fake name and link that account. Screw Sony and using real names, that's just stupid and setting yourself up for trouble.

Bigboi500

I dont mind the idea of people using the real names. You cant just be a d*ck to everyone when everyone knows who you are. 

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"]

Just do what I did, make a gaming account on Facebook with a fake name and link that account. Screw Sony and using real names, that's just stupid and setting yourself up for trouble.

The_Last_Ride

Just do what I did, make a gaming account on Facebook with a fake name and link that account. Screw Sony and using real names, that's just stupid and setting yourself up for trouble.

Bigboi500

If it comes down to them forcing this on us, I will do just this. I will give myself the dumbest name ever as well.

I dont mind the idea of people using the real names. You cant just be a d*ck to everyone when everyone knows who you are. S0lidSnake

People will still be jerks if they really want to. Just means they can actually be held accountable now, not that it will stop them.

[QUOTE="S0lidSnake"]I dont mind the idea of people using the real names. You cant just be a d*ck to everyone when everyone knows who you are. c_rake

People will still be jerks if they really want to. Just means they can actually be held accountable now, not that it will stop them.

I dont mind the idea of people using the real names. You cant just be a d*ck to everyone when everyone knows who you are. 

S0lidSnake

I can. :P

No way am I using my real name for anything online gaming. Don't need someone getting so pissed off at me in-game that they decide to track me down in real life. 

Nope, no thanks. Im going to be sticking with ps3/360 for a long while anyway.

That's lame! Why not just give us an option to just stick with a username only? I understand the social aspect of it and wanting to get together, but I think forcing you to have a real name on there is a bit too much. I hope fans are already rallying against Sony on that idea.

I dont mind the idea of people using the real names. You cant just be a d*ck to everyone when everyone knows who you are. 

S0lidSnake

Eh, that doesn't really stop people on Facebook and Twitter though.

Even though my user name is part of my actual name, I'm not really comfortable using my complete full name online for everybody to see. It is nice to hear that the system will be much easier for devs to work on, though.

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"]

Just do what I did, make a gaming account on Facebook with a fake name and link that account. Screw Sony and using real names, that's just stupid and setting yourself up for trouble.

Lucky_Krystal

If it comes down to them forcing this on us, I will do just this. I will give myself the dumbest name ever as well.

No way am I using my real name for anything online gaming. Don't need someone getting so pissed off at me in-game that they decide to track me down in real life. 

Vari3ty

I nearly had that happen to me once. Scary stuff.

[QUOTE="Vari3ty"]

No way am I using my real name for anything online gaming. Don't need someone getting so pissed off at me in-game that they decide to track me down in real life.

c_rake

I nearly had that happen to me once. Scary stuff.

Yeah, that too. None of that needs to happen. If Sony can give us the option to put in our usernames only and leave out any real information, then the whole thing is better in the long run.

[QUOTE="c_rake"]

[QUOTE="Vari3ty"]

No way am I using my real name for anything online gaming. Don't need someone getting so pissed off at me in-game that they decide to track me down in real life.

Metamania

I nearly had that happen to me once. Scary stuff.

Yeah, that too. None of that needs to happen. If Sony can give us the option to put in our usernames only and leave out any real information, then the whole thing is better in the long run.

[QUOTE="Metamania"]

[QUOTE="c_rake"]

I nearly had that happen to me once. Scary stuff.

Black_Knight_00

Yeah, that too. None of that needs to happen. If Sony can give us the option to put in our usernames only and leave out any real information, then the whole thing is better in the long run.

I suppose it's possible to do that, but wouldn't Sony be able to find out who is real and who isn't and block/banish/punish/etc those that are fake?

[QUOTE="Black_Knight_00"][QUOTE="Metamania"]

Yeah, that too. None of that needs to happen. If Sony can give us the option to put in our usernames only and leave out any real information, then the whole thing is better in the long run.

Metamania

I suppose it's possible to do that, but wouldn't Sony be able to find out who is real and who isn't and block/banish/punish/etc those that are fake?

Yeah, that too. None of that needs to happen. If Sony can give us the option to put in our usernames only and leave out any real information, then the whole thing is better in the long run.Metamania

I've just resigned myself to accepting that it's something I just have to be wary off. My name's already out on the web thanks to my writings. Best I can do is try not to piss anyone off enough to cause such drastic action.

[QUOTE="Metamania"]Yeah, that too. None of that needs to happen. If Sony can give us the option to put in our usernames only and leave out any real information, then the whole thing is better in the long run.c_rake

I've just resigned myself to accepting that it's something I just have to be wary off. My name's already out on the web thanks to my writings. Best I can do is try not to piss anyone off enough to cause such drastic action.

[QUOTE="c_rake"]

[QUOTE="Metamania"]Yeah, that too. None of that needs to happen. If Sony can give us the option to put in our usernames only and leave out any real information, then the whole thing is better in the long run.Black_Knight_00

I've just resigned myself to accepting that it's something I just have to be wary off. My name's already out on the web thanks to my writings. Best I can do is try not to piss anyone off enough to cause such drastic action.

Someone will do that and probably stir ire from Sony's side anyway. You watch.

According to IGN, the real name thing is optional (also, you can choose who sees your real name). I'm not deeply opposed but I don't have a Facebook account and have no plans to set one up.

http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/03/28/playstation-4-the-coolest-stuff-you-probably-didnt-know

Your Real (PSN) Names

At the February debut, Sony showed the PlayStation 4 dialing into your social networks and then using your real name on the console. This, as predicted, is something youll need to enable. If enabled, when you import your friends from social networks, youll use your real name. You can decide which of your PlayStation only friends see your real name, too. If any.

I'm cool with using real name, but not going to be using FB (don't use it now).

According to IGN, the real name thing is optional (also, you can choose who sees your real name). I'm not deeply opposed but I don't have a Facebook account and have no plans to set one up.

http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/03/28/playstation-4-the-coolest-stuff-you-probably-didnt-know

Your Real (PSN) Names

At the February debut, Sony showed the PlayStation 4 dialing into your social networks and then using your real name on the console. This, as predicted, is something youll need to enable. If enabled, when you import your friends from social networks, youll use your real name. You can decide which of your PlayStation only friends see your real name, too. If any.

CarnageHeart

I know that this is off-topic a little bit, but the information IGN brought up about your PS4 controllers charging while your system is off is excellent. I didn't know the PS3 had that problem, so it's good to see that they are fixing it.

Back to this though, if the real name thing is completely optional, then that's a sigh of relief, IMO.

Yeah....no way am I'm linking anything to Facebook, nor am I using my real name online.

According to IGN, the real name thing is optional (also, you can choose who sees your real name). I'm not deeply opposed but I don't have a Facebook account and have no plans to set one up.

http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/03/28/playstation-4-the-coolest-stuff-you-probably-didnt-know

Your Real (PSN) Names

At the February debut, Sony showed the PlayStation 4 dialing into your social networks and then using your real name on the console. This, as predicted, is something youll need to enable. If enabled, when you import your friends from social networks, youll use your real name. You can decide which of your PlayStation only friends see your real name, too. If any.

CarnageHeart

Some cool stuff announced. I like the sound of a recharing controller while the system is off. Though I'll try and keep my real name from appearing.

Using my real name on PSN would be a deal breaker.

I'm okay with using my real name. I won't have a credit card saved to it anyways and it's not like people don't know my name exists. I vote afterall. It's public record.

I can see why someone wouldn't want to.  The pissing someone off and them coming to kill you scenario is pretty scary.  Fortunately, I don't get into pissing contests with people while gaming.  Not really an issue for me.  That said, I'll probably still use my username for public multiplayer if I can.  I don't know why they couldn't just let your Facebook friends see your real name while other people see your username.