PlayStation 4 has enabled users to share their favorite gaming moments as both still images and videos since the console first launched in 2013, but the latest update to the Sharefactory app adds something even more important: GIFs.
“We’re excited about the new animated GIF feature, which can be easily shared to Twitter right from your console on Sharefactory, SCEA senior producer Stuart Platt said in a post on the PlayStation Blog.
You won’t be able to make minute-long GIFs of your best Infinite Warfare matches or the hardest boss battles in Dark Souls III, as clips are limited to a maximum of 10 seconds in length. All pre-existing videos in your PlayStation 4’s capture gallery can be turned into GIFs.
As seen in the announcement post (and below), the quality of the GIFs doesn’t appear to be particularly high. Blacks and grays seem to bleed together and the frame rate is noticeably low, but if you just want to share some silly memes with your friends — yes, they’re calling the font “internet meme, ” and there are also “troll stickers” — it’s currently your only real option.
Also included in the Sharefactory update is the new “photo mode,” which lets you create monuments to your favorite games in the form of a collage. The update also supports PlayStation 4 Pro, allowing both 1080p images and 4K videos to be shared.
The PlayStation 4 continues to be a great platform for streamers and other video content creators, with integrated Twitch support and the ability to easily record a facecam. While we’re not sure if the GIF feature will become quite as popular, we’re looking forward to seeing what the community creates.
To get the most out of Sharefactory, you’ll need a PlayStation 4 Pro. The console released today, November 10.