Sony released a new system update for PS5 consoles this month, introducing a new welcome screen called “Welcome Hub.” However, this change has sparked a significant controversy among players, as the new interface now features non-removable ads.
Sony’s Controversial Decision for PS5
One of the most praised features of the Welcome Hub was supposed to be the ability for players to customize the content they want to see and even turn off ads. However, users quickly realized that this wasn’t entirely true.
Tests revealed that even when the option to turn off ads was selected, various news items and advertisements continued to appear in the background of games. For example, a LEGO Horizon Adventures ad was seen in the background of the game Horizon. This situation has led to confusion among players regarding which game they were playing.
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Sony for unfairly increasing the price of digital games on the PlayStation Store.
Not only third-party games but also Sony’s own titles were affected. In the background of Gran Turismo 7, an announcement for an update released three months ago was displayed.
Players discovered that the only way to completely remove these ads on their PS5 consoles was to disconnect from the internet. However, this solution makes online gaming impossible.
Previously, players could control the news feed for the games they followed. With the new update, this feature has become ineffective. Now, even if you unfollow a game, its news and ads continue to appear.
This situation has created significant discomfort within the gaming community. Many players are criticizing Sony for this decision and expressing a desire to return to the original, clean backgrounds. There is keen anticipation regarding how Sony will respond to this backlash and whether any changes will be made to the Welcome Hub.
