IF you’re ever stuck on a PlayStation game, don’t fret – there’s an easy answer.
Sony’s PlayStation 5 has a built-in way to instantly help you get past difficult gameplay.
The PS5 feature is called Game Help, and gives you specific tips based on where you’re currently stuck.
Originally this was limited to tips provided for specific moments from game-makers.
But earlier this year, Sony expanded the feature with Community Game Help.
This lets you draw on help from other players, including gameplay footage to help you beat a specific puzzle or task.
“When the enhanced Game Help experience featuring content from the community launches, Game Help will be available to all PS5 players, with or without a PlayStation Plus subscription,” Sony explained.
“In supported games, PS5 players will be able to contribute their gameplay, view hints from fellow gamers, or access Game Help hints created by developers.
“Game developers can also continue to create their own hint videos, as seen in popular titles available today like The Last of Us Part II Remastered and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.”
First, wait until you get stuck in a game.
Then press the PS button on your DualSense joypad to enter the Control Center.
Look for an Action Card that says something like Hints Inside.
Choose that and you’ll be able to see tips and even watch clips that explain how to solve the puzzle that you’re stuck on.
You can also view Game Help tips inside the official PlayStation app so that you don’t have to sacrifice any valuable screen space.
If you’re a kindly soul, you might want to offer your own help to the feature.
That way, other players can benefit from your skilled gameplay.
“If you enjoy sharing your gaming expertise with others and are willing to contribute to Community Game Help, you can participate by opting in from the Settings menu,” Sony explained.
“You can also opt out any time, which will remove all of your published videos from Community Game Help.”
To do it, go to Captures & Broadcasts > Captures > Auto Captures > Community Game Help.
You’ll then want to choose Participate to opt into the program.
And you’ll be able to set a monthly capture limit to control how many videos can be captured from your gameplay.
“Once you turn on the settings, your PS5 will automatically capture a video when you complete a certain activity in a game,” Sony said.
“Then, it will be reviewed by a moderator, and if approved, your video will be published as a Game Help hint for PlayStation players to watch, learn from, and rate.
“Your videos will be removed from the PS5 console once they are uploaded to our servers, so it will not impact your console storage.”
When one of your videos is published, you’ll receive a notification.
Importantly, note that Sony only takes raw gameplay footage.
Here's what you need to know...
There are several different colours that can appear on your PlayStation joypad.
They might show up at the sides of the Touch Bar on the face of the DualSense – or the LED bar, which is just below the PS button.
It’s also important to note that you’ll get different lights when you’re linked to a PS5 – or if you’re connected to another device via Bluetooth, like your Apple iPad or a gaming PC.
Playing on a PS5
Your PS5 controller will normally show a blue light when it’s connected to a PlayStation.
But if a second DualSense joins, their colour will be red.
Green signifies that a third player has been added, and purple is used to show a fourth.
You might also find that the bar turns orange. That means you’re running low on battery.
However, if it’s a pulsing light, that means your PS5 is either charging or entering Rest Mode.
Finally, if the LED bar below your PS button is orange, it means the controller is muted.
This is extremely important: you don’t want to be accidentally chatting in voice lobbies because your microphone is active.
Playing on another device
When you’re connected to something other than a PS5, the lights take on a different meaning.
A blue and white light-pulse means that you’re pairing with a device.
And a solid blue indicates that the pairing is finished.
An orange-and-white light means that your DualSense is paired to another device.
And a pulsing orange light signals that your controller is charging.
So you won’t be sharing any images or audio from the webcam, microphone, or your party chat.
However, the video may include online IDs or chat messages on your screen depending on the game that you’re playing.
You can see your published videos in settings and remove them at any time.
