PS4 disc installs are mandatory on PS4, but the process won't be as laborious as on PS3, according to lead system architect Mark Cerny.

Discussing the PS4's installation process, Cerny said that the console can stream data from a game disc to its hard drive during gameplay, allowing games to potentially be playable within seconds of first inserting the disc.

While installation times will vary from one title to another, Cerny confirmed this his own game, Knack, will be playable within "10s of seconds" of inserting the disc, reports Kotaku.

Data begins streaming to the hard drive the moment a disc is inserted. Knack will continue to stream data - in the background - until it reaches a total of 37GB installed.

Users will be in control of manually deleting installation data to free up HD space for new installs. Cerny said Sony considered automatic install data deletion for games that a user hadn't played in a while, but settled on a manual process.

Cerny clarified that installs are mandatory - as they also are on Xbox One - because of the significantly faster read speeds offered by a hard drive when compared to Blu-Ray.

Sony is gearing up for the PS4 launch date of November 15 in US and November 29 in Europe and Latin America.

The firm has also released a confirmed PS4 launch lineup of 22 titles in North America, and a slightly differing list of 21 games in Europe.

Posted: Nov 12, 2013 5:24 am
Related Forum: PlayStation Forum

Source: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/437599/ps4-disc-installs-can-allow-for-gameplay-in-seconds/