The latest PlayStation 5 firmware update released on March 8 brought several new functionalities and quality-of-life changes to the gaming console, some more welcomed than others. Besides the long-requested PS5 Discord integration, the firmware update also added variable refresh rate support for 1440p resolution, an easy way to transfer data between PS5 consoles, and voice commands that can be used to save gameplay clips. However, some fans are disappointed at one particular new feature, which they consider a potential spoiler for the games they play.
PlayStation 5 firmware updates are important for maintaining the console's performance, stability, and security. Most firmware updates address bugs or glitches that can impair console performance and also often include security patches that address vulnerabilities in the system. Other than that, they can sometimes also add new features and functionalities to the console. Such was the case for the latest PS5 firmware update which added a "game progress" display.
The game progress feature is shown whenever a user highlights an installed game and shows the game’s story completion percentage, right next to the “hours played” display. Certain PS5 users are upset about this change, believing that the new feature acts like a spoiler and ruins the sense of wonder for the gamer. Other users don't mind the option, citing that the runtime of a movie, or the pages of a book, can technically be a similar type of spoiler.
The game progress percentage may be considered a spoiler in some cases. By seeing the completion percentage, players can easily find out how close they are to the end of the game. Some video games “trick” the player into believing that they are nearing the narrative conclusion of the game, and fake ending sequences can give the player the feeling that the game is over while in fact there is still more content to experience. One particular example of that is the famous Red Dead Redemption revenge sequence. Hence, a point can be made that a game progress bar could absolutely ruin the satisfaction and element of surprise for some gamers.
In some games, a progress bar could be a helpful tool for players to track their progress and have a better understanding of where they are in the game. In other games, a progress bar may not be necessary or may even detract from the intended experience. That being said, a toggleable progress bar could solve these issues and satisfy all PS5 users.
Source: Push Square
