Sony disables PSN features to smooth PS4 launch in Europe

29 Nov 2013

Sony has confirmed a number of features on the PlayStation Network (PSN) will be disabled to reduce server pressure as the PlayStation 4 goes on sale across Europe today.

The electronics giant will be disabling the ‘What’s New’ section, where users check up on their friends’ PS4 activity, as well as the ‘Content Information Screen’, where friends’ activity specific to a game being played is shown.

Sony said that following the launch of the PlayStation 4 in North America, where 1m of the devices were sold on day one on 15 November, it has seen an unprecedented influx of players on PSN.

The company is expecting more record sales and record numbers of people logging on as the device is snapped up in Europe today.

“We want to make sure that your online experience is positive. To help ensure that this happens, we have made the decision to switch off a couple of features for European customers on day one. These features will then be switched back on a few days later, once the intensity of launch day calms down.”

Sony said all of the other features of PSN will be fully available on day one.

“You’ll be able to play online multiplayer games with friends and your gaming community, get trophies, make friends and share videos and live broadcast your games so you can have a great online gaming experience,” the company said in the PlayStation Network blog.

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com