JP77
Full Member
Playing different games at the same time? No...
What Shareplay does is stream the content from your console out onto a network. You can access and play that stream with external devices. The functionality already exists with the Vita and the remote play option, it's just an extension of that.
It works like remote access on windows, I'm having trouble with my PC at work so I call IT. They remotely connect to my machine, a window pops up asking me to confirm that I allow the tech to access my machine. Once I click yes he then controls my mouse cursor, can open folders, change settings etc. When he's fixed the problem, he disconnects and the PC is once again under my control. We wouldn't be able to run two tasks at the same time, as we are both using the same PC.
So you can invite someone to remotely access your PS4, they can then connect via their PS4 and in-place of their system, they would see your screen. Moving a character in-game would move that character on your system. You would become a spectator at this point. What you can do with a couch co-op game is both play the same game together, so you can become player 2 (or 1 I'm not sure how that bit works and who becomes what player?) but if it were a game like Knack (where two sprites can occupy the same screen if you are both in the sat next to each other with two controllers) it would be like your friend is in the room with you, instead of at the other end of an internet connection. Games like Tekken and PES (or Madden) should work well in this scenario.
This is limited to 60 minute bursts (unless you could just set it up and bugger off to work as your mate plays the entirety of games in your collection without ever buying them) but these 60 mins are unlimited in terms of repeats. Therefore you could play like this all day, you would just have to re-invite them every hour. Because the system is streaming the game from your machine and using your media (HDD file Blu-Ray) to run the game your invited party does not need the game themselves in order to play it, as their system is merely becoming a host for all the grunt work (in terms of computing power) done by your machine. The same applies to the Vita remote play. You cannot purchase Destiny for the Vita, but I can play Destiny on the Vita whilst on the train on my Vita as the PS4 is running them game but sending the output (graphics & sounds) to the network whilst receiving inputs from the network. The Remote Play function is also now available on Z2 & Z3 Xperia phones.
I think I have that correct, I'm sure if I've missed something I'll soon be corrected. Also apologies if this came across as patronising, but you did ask for a simple explanation...
Ah I sorted it anyway mate, appreciate the reply though I wasn't on about actual share play. You can download your digital games onto one other persons console and they can play those games at any time, even when you're playing them, under their own account. It's actually pretty awesome now I've sorted it as I can access any games he's downloaded while he can do the same for mine. I brought Madden and now he owns it for nothing, vice verse for the games he's brought.