Thank goodness! The lengthy pre-install process hassle that plagued the PlayStation 3 over the past seven years will not be a problem on the PS4. Technically, the PS4 will still require you to install a game, but this time around you'll be able to play while it installs in the background.
The same technology that allows the PS4 to play a game as it's being downloading, will also allow the system to play a game while it's being installed from a disc, according to Sony's Neil Brown.
"A similar system also works on Blu-ray, chunks are automatically copied to the hard drive in the background," Brown explained to Develop attendees today. "This means that after the first few minutes your game can rely on having faster read speeds from the hard drive.
"They don't have to wait for anything to install before playing the game. The game will launch as soon as the disc has been put in the drive," he added. According to Brown this will be "a completely background process" that should provide "a better experience for players."
Getting to play a game immediately, without having to wait at least 20 minutes while it installs? Yea, I'd say it will be a better experience. At the same event, Brown explained that the download while you play feature will also make accessing your digital library on a friend's PS4 a viable option.
