Chat transcription will allow players to type and have their messages read aloud as well.
Sony is allowing PlayStation 4 owners to sign up for its Preview Program to be able to take an advance look at some new features headed to PS4, including 16-player parties, improved audio quality for voice chat, and chat transcription.
As detailed on the PlayStation Blog, PS4 owners can begin by registering to be part of the Preview Program as a PS4 System Software Beta tester. However, it is important to note that if you do sign up to test these new features, you will not be able to join the same Party or use Share Play with those who are not in the program.
If you do have friends who did not make it into the Preview Program, you will be able to redeem your preview code on 20 different qualifying accounts, ensuring you can still play all your favorite games together with friends and family.
Currently, PS4 users can only create parties of up to eight players, so this new update will double that for those who wish to play with more and utilize the improved audio quality for chat, improved network connectivity, and chat transcription.
For those in the U.S., testers will be able to try out the chat transcription feature which will be available through Party and on the PS4 Second Screen app.
Party voice chat will be converted to text on your Second Screen app, and players can type text which will then be read aloud to other party members. This feature will only be available in the U.S. and will only be in English.
PlayStation 4, which is climbing the list of the Best Selling Video Game Consoles of All Time with almost 100 million consoles sold, will undoubtedly continue to receive these updates and more, even though the first details of the yet-to-be-named PlayStation 5 have been revealed.
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Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN who needs them to double the Party number to 32 simply because that’s his favorite number. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst.
