Sony is adding a feature to the PlayStation 5 later this year that will let users invite their friends into a game even when they’re AFK.
The new feature will let players invite other players into multiplayer sessions by generating a shareable link from PS5 or the PlayStation App, Sabrina Meditz, Senior Director, Product Management, Platform Experience, Sony Interactive Entertainment, said in a post on the PlayStation Blog. This link can be shared via any messaging or social media platform. By opening the link, the recipient will be able to hop into your multiplayer session even if they aren’t already friends with you on PlayStation Network, Meditz explained.
The idea is the feature will promote more multiplayer gaming. Meditz suggested a scenario: “For example, if you just met some new friends on your favorite social platform, you can send them a PS5 session invite in the same chat and start playing together right away, without needing to add each other as friends on PS5 first.”
Of course, all players joining a PS5 multiplayer session must have the game installed, and it’s worth remembering a PlayStation Plus subscription is required for most PS5 multiplayer games. PS4 games and other backward-compatible titles are not supported, so this is only for PS5 games. Meditz warned that a “small percentage” of PS5 games may require an update to ensure the session joins work seamlessly, “as this is a new technology.” “We’ll collaborate with our development partners to explore the best solutions for those games,” Meditz continued.
Meanwhile, Sony has developed a unique widget for PS5 session invites shared in Discord. The widget dynamically refreshes to show the multiplayer session status, so you’ll know if the session is still active before you join.
Sony also plans to introduce the ability for players to share their or another player’s PlayStation Network profile on any messaging or social app by generating a link from the PlayStation App, the PS5 console, or their web profile on PlayStation.com. This feature is expected to roll out in the coming months.
Sony continues to update the PS5 as it nears four years on sale. The console has sold over 50 million units worldwide since its release date in November 2020. Sony is reportedly set to release a PS5 Pro later this year.
Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
