What Happens If You Start a PS5 Game Without Updating?

So, you’ve just popped that shiny new (or slightly dusty, pre-owned) PS5 game disc into your console, and you’re itching to dive in. But that dreaded update screen pops up. Do you have to wait? The short answer is: it depends. For single-player experiences, you often can jump right in and play without updating. However, if you’re planning on venturing online for some multiplayer mayhem, that update is usually non-negotiable. Let’s break down the consequences and explore the nuances of gaming without updating on your PlayStation 5.

The Single-Player Sanctuary

The beautiful thing about single-player games on the PS5 is that they are often perfectly playable straight from the disc. Once the game installs the initial data to your console’s storage, you can usually bypass the update process and start your adventure. This is great for those times when your internet is down, or you simply don’t want to wait.

Potential Drawbacks of Skipping the Update for Single Player

Even if you can play offline without updating, there are potential downsides to consider:

• Missing Bug Fixes: Updates often include crucial bug fixes that address glitches, performance issues, or even game-breaking errors. Playing without the update means you might encounter these issues.
• Lack of Improvements: Many updates include enhancements to gameplay, graphics, or overall stability. You’ll be missing out on these improvements.
• Incomplete Experience: In some cases, content might be locked or unavailable until you download the update. This is especially true for games with post-launch downloadable content (DLC) or expansions.
• Save Data Issues: In rare cases, older game versions may have compatibility issues with newer save data. If you later update the game, your old saves might not work correctly.

The Multiplayer Mandate

When it comes to multiplayer gaming, updates are almost always mandatory. This is because online games require all players to be using the same version of the game to ensure fair play, prevent exploits, and maintain a stable online environment.

Why Updates Are Essential for Multiplayer

• Compatibility: Players using different game versions can’t connect to the same online servers.
• Fairness: Updates often address exploits or glitches that could give players an unfair advantage in multiplayer matches.
• Security: Updates can include security patches to protect players from cheating or hacking.
• New Content: Updates often introduce new maps, modes, characters, weapons, or other content that all players need to have to participate.

If you attempt to join a multiplayer game without the latest update, you’ll typically receive an error message and be prompted to download the update before you can proceed. There’s usually no way around this requirement.

Bandwidth Blues: The Pain of Large Game Updates

Let’s face it, PS5 game updates can be massive. Modern games are incredibly complex, featuring high-resolution textures, detailed environments, and sophisticated gameplay mechanics. All of this data takes up a significant amount of storage space, and updates often involve downloading large files. This can be frustrating, especially if you have a slow internet connection or limited data allowance. This is why it’s important to consider ways to optimize your PS5 download speeds.

Can You Play Another Game While Updating?

The PS5 is pretty good about multitasking. You should be able to play other games while a game is updating in the background. However, be aware that this might impact the download speed of the update and the performance of the game you’re currently playing.

Tips for Managing PS5 Game Updates

Here are some tips to make the update process less painful:

• Use a Wired Connection: A wired Ethernet connection is generally faster and more stable than Wi-Fi.
• Close Unnecessary Applications: Close any other applications or games that are running in the background to free up system resources.
• Update During Off-Peak Hours: Try downloading updates during times when internet traffic is lower, such as late at night or early in the morning.
• Use Rest Mode: The PS5 can download updates in Rest Mode, which often results in faster download speeds.
• Manage Your Downloads: Only download one file at a time to maximize bandwidth.
• Check Your Wi-Fi Settings: Make sure your PS5 is connected to a 5GHz Wi-Fi network if possible, as this can provide faster speeds.
• Upgrade Your Internet Service: If you consistently experience slow download speeds, consider upgrading to a faster internet plan.

Considering Your Needs

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to update a PS5 game before playing depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re primarily interested in single-player experiences and don’t mind potentially encountering some bugs or missing out on improvements, you can often skip the update and jump right in. However, if you want to play online or enjoy the best possible experience, updating is usually the way to go.

This dynamic between entertainment and technology provides interesting fields of study for many areas, including education. The Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org studies how games can impact these areas, and can provide additional information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I play a PS5 game while it’s updating?

Yes, generally you can. The PS5 allows background downloads, so you can play other games while an update is in progress. However, this might slow down both the download speed and the performance of the game you’re playing.

2. Why does it take so long to update a game on PS5?

Several factors can contribute to slow update speeds, including your internet connection speed, the size of the update file, the console’s Wi-Fi settings, and the number of other devices using your network.

3. How do I start FIFA on PS5 without updating?

To prevent automatic updates, go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Automatic Updates and turn off Auto-Download and Auto-Install in Rest Mode. However, you’ll likely need to update to play online.

4. Why is my PS5 game locked?

A locked game usually indicates that parental controls are in place. Ask the parent or guardian to adjust the settings to allow access.

5. How do I make my PlayStation games update faster?

Try using a wired connection, closing unnecessary applications, updating during off-peak hours, using Rest Mode, and managing your downloads.

6. Does PS5 download faster in rest mode?

Yes, many users report that the PS5 downloads faster in Rest Mode. This is because the console can dedicate more resources to the download process when it’s not actively running a game.

7. What happens if you turn off PS5 during a software update?

Turning off your PS5 during a software update can potentially corrupt the system software and cause serious problems. It’s strongly advised to let the update complete without interruption.

8. Do PS5 games download slower if you’re playing a game?

Yes, playing a game while downloading will divide your internet bandwidth between the game and the download, thus slowing down the download speed.

9. What happens if you don’t update games on PS5?

You can still play single-player games, but you may encounter bugs and miss out on improvements. You won’t be able to play online multiplayer games without the latest update.

10. How many games can a PS5 hold with no upgrades?

A standard PS5 with its internal storage can hold around 10-15 AAA games, depending on the game’s file size.

11. Is it bad to turn off PS5 without closing a game?

It’s generally not recommended to abruptly turn off your PS5 without properly closing the game. This could, in rare instances, lead to data corruption.

12. What is a good Internet speed for PS5?

A good internet speed for PS5 gaming is generally considered to be at least 50-100 Mbps.

13. Does PlayStation automatically update games?

Yes, PlayStation can automatically update games if you have the auto-download and auto-install settings enabled.

14. Why are PlayStation game updates so big?

Game updates are large due to the complexity of modern games, which include high-resolution textures, detailed environments, and sophisticated gameplay mechanics. Updates often involve replacing or modifying large files.

15. Is there a way to play a game without updating on PS5?

For single-player games, you can often play without updating by simply launching the game from the disc. However, you’ll need to update to play online multiplayer games.