David Farnor | On 03, Sep 2015

YouTube live-streaming is coming to the PS4, as part of a major new system update.

Version 3.00 (codename: Kenshin) is “packed with content”, Sony announced this week. The biggest change, though, is the addition of YouTube live, allowing console owners to stream gameplay to YouTube.

Previously, PS4 users could stream gameplay to Twitch. Now, though, YouTube will also be supported, with live-streams viewable across YouTube, including on the new YouTube Gaming mobile app and website.

The dedicated gaming site was launched by YouTube at the end of last week in a move to compete with its Amazon-owned rival. Indeed, live-streaming of games has become a significant part of the YouTube community, with game-related channels often topping the chart of most-watched videos. Last month, The Diamond Minecart replaced PewDiePie as the most-viewed channel on YouTube, both of whom are video game vloggers.

YouTube is not the only video site to be added to the PlayStation infrastructure: users will also have the ability to share video clips directly to Twitter, up to a maximum of 10 seconds.

The updates are part of several improvements to the PS4’s sharing community, with an update also included for the Live From PlayStation app, making it easier to view popular trending broadcasts in real time, along with a new feature that allows users to request to watch a friend’s gameplay session. Gamers can send a “Request to Watch” notification to another player, which will start a live broadcast or Share Play invitation to the person playing.

The features may not all make it to the final system update, though: they will be rolling out first to users selected to participate in Sony’s beta program.

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