Sony Computer Entertainment has confirmed that the upcoming System Software update 2.0 for PS4 will introduce a new feature called SHARE PLAY, allowing any PlayStation Plus member to invite friends to play games with them.
The unique thing about SHARE PLAY is that the person you invite does not have to own the game. You can invite friends to play from anywhere in the world providing they have PlayStation Plus. They jump straight into the game where they can play co-operatively or competitively against you.
Sony explains more:
"The best way to think about Share Play is like a “virtual couch”. PlayStation 4 will create an online local co-op experience by allowing you to invite a friend to join your game—even when they don’t own a copy of it. With this first-of-its-kind feature, you’ll be able to play games with a friend just as if you were together in the same room. Let’s say that with games… you’ll be able to invite your friend online to play against the Miami Heat for the championship as the San Antonio Spurs in NBA2K, tackle the challenging Towerfall Ascension Quest Mode together, or aide, heal, and protect you as Igniculus in Child of Light’s local co-op mode.
With Share Play, you can even jump into a game to assist a friend. For example, if there is part of a game that you can’t quite finish, you can invite a friend to take over your controls. Like handing over the controller to a friend on your couch, your screen will be shared as your friend gets through the part of the game that has been giving you trouble—can’t get past that part in The Last of Us: Remastered when you’re hanging upside down? Get a little help."
Sony also confirmed that System Software 2.0 will bring an update to allow users to share and upload videos to YouTube.
More information from Gamescom as we get it.