Community Features
Ongoing coverage on Community Features.
Latest coverage
PlayStation 5's latest firmware update takes Community Activity out of beta, but it's missing a key feature
Sony has released a new PlayStation 5 firmware update that brings the Community Activity widget out of beta for all users. While the feature now includes 'Trending Now' and 'Top 10' views, it notably omits the player count data that was present in the beta version, a move that draws comparison to Steam's features. The update also includes unchanged features like default PlayStation's image upscaling tech (PSSR) for PS5 Pro and regional Bluetooth toggles.
PlayStation 5 System Update for September 2026 Makes Major Changes
The PlayStation 5 system update for September 2026 (version 26.06-14.00.00) introduces several quality-of-life improvements, including enhanced PSSR image quality as a default setting for PS5 Pro owners. New features for all PS5 users include speaker indicators in voice chat and a Community Activity widget. The update also modifies Bluetooth functionality, disabling its use for rest mode and HDMI Device Link in certain regions.
Football Manager 27: Release Window, Platforms, and First Feature Details
Football Manager 27 is set to launch in November 2026, returning to its traditional release window. Sports Interactive is focusing on overhauling the user interface to be more intuitive and reintroducing key community features to rebuild player trust after the reception of Football Manager 26. The game will be available on PC, Mac, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android.
Backloggd Review: The Best Game Tracker? I Tested It for 6 Months
After six months of testing, this review finds Backloggd to be the best free game tracking service for community and reviews, but lacking in helping users decide what to play next. While praised for its excellent UI, free features, and active community, its lack of a mobile app and automated library import are significant drawbacks for many users. The service excels at cataloging past gaming experiences but does not offer robust features for discovering games to play in the present.
The Unseen Parallels Between Modern Gaming and Online Casinos
This article draws parallels between the modern gaming industry and online casinos, highlighting similarities in loot boxes, aesthetics, and community features. It suggests that these converging elements offer players a more seamless and engaging experience across both digital entertainment forms.
World of Warcraft players will never have to leave the MMO once Blizzard adds Discord chat for guilds in the next update
Blizzard Entertainment is integrating Discord chat directly into World of Warcraft guilds in an upcoming update, allowing players to communicate between the game and Discord. This feature requires linking Battle.net and Discord accounts and will offer options for combined or separate chat channels. The integration aims to simplify communication for guilds, especially those with members across different time zones.
Bluesky will launch Reddit-style communities this year
Bluesky is planning to launch a new communities feature later this year, similar to Reddit's community structure. This update aims to enhance user interaction and content organization on the platform.
Hytale’s Update 5 arrives on May 26 with community server discovery
Hytale's Update 5 is scheduled for release on May 26, introducing a friends list and a community server discovery tool to enhance player connections. The update also includes initial controller support, new emotes, prefab 3D previews, and expanded creator tools. The development team is growing and moving into full production on major future game features.
Forza Horizon 6 – 15 More Details That Sound Incredible
Forza Horizon 6 will feature an ambitious Japanese setting with a more complex Tokyo, dynamic weather impacting driving, and refined Touge Battles for technical drift racing. Playground Games is emphasizing community with shared progression, smarter AI, expanded sandbox mechanics like EventLab, and customizable garages. The game will include over 550 cars, with PC players receiving advanced features like ray tracing and DLSS 4.
Xbox Game Pass and Discord: Building on Our Partnership to Bring More Benefits to Players
Xbox and Discord are expanding their partnership to offer more benefits to players. Discord Nitro members will receive a starter edition of Xbox Game Pass, and soon, eligible Xbox Game Pass subscribers will gain access to Discord Nitro benefits, including monthly Discord Orbs and Shop discounts. This collaboration aims to enhance social gaming experiences and make it easier for players to discover and play games together.
X is shutting down its Communities feature
X is shutting down its Communities feature on May 30, as announced by Head of Product Nikita Bier. The feature, which allowed users to create and moderate public groups, was reportedly used by less than 0.4% of users and contributed significantly to spam and scams. X's proposed replacement includes XChat for group chats and a new custom timelines feature for topic-focused feeds.
Threads introduces 'live chats' for following live events
Meta's Threads platform has introduced a new 'live chats' feature, allowing users to engage in real-time conversations about live events within topic-specific communities. This feature, which supports text, photos, videos, links, and emoji reactions, is being piloted in the NBAThreads Community during the Playoffs. Meta plans to gradually roll out additional features and expand the availability of live chats to more communities.
Interview: Getting Competitive With Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy
Square Enix Producer Naoya Matsumoto discusses Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy's shift to a 3v3 competitive mobile format, emphasizing its portrait mode design for casual, one-handed play and community features. He also touches on the possibility of a PC version and the character selection process, which prioritizes role diversity and highlighting lesser-known characters from the Final Fantasy series.
Steam Dominance Sparks Reddit Debate: Why Valve Still Rules PC Gaming
A Reddit discussion highlights Steam's continued dominance in PC gaming, attributing its success to a robust ecosystem of community features, library management, and social integration rather than just free games or exclusives. Despite competition from Epic Games Store, GOG, and subscription services, Steam's long-standing user satisfaction and consistent service have fostered strong loyalty. The platform's evolution, including the Steam Deck and features like Proton, further solidifies its position, though it faces ongoing challenges from cloud gaming and evolving industry trends.
