The PS5's new displays replace game graphics on the dashboard, and some gamers don't like them

Gaming companies haven't exactly shied away from placing advertising in games, but Sony is now changing the way they work on the PS5 dashboard. What was once the home of beautiful game art now has ads built right into the dashboard UI, and there appears to be no way to disable the ads without disconnecting the PS5 from the internet.

The ads appear to be linked to the official news feed of the games in question. For example, when the latest Spider-Man game was introduced at the GameSpot office, the ad referenced a roundtable video with the creative team behind Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. See more examples in the gallery below.

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Some of the ads, like the ones for Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, are also outdated. In this case it is a May 4th promotion from last May.

A May 4th promotion for Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

As you might expect, PS5 players aren't very happy with these changes. The initial reactions on social media were almost entirely negative.

Wait, after paying $600 for a console, $80 for a single game, and $30/month for online connectivity, do you have to constantly eat ads?
How long will Sony pretend to keep milking you?

– Artie (@Artie_boston) September 30, 2024

I was so confused when I hovered over Horizon Zero Dawn and saw a full page advertisement for the Lego game. I thought I had an advance copy or something, lol

— Elden Ring Thumbs-Up Worm Guy (@orenna) September 30, 2024

I just noticed this too, it came out of nowhere after the update.
The funniest part? Suicide Squad and probably many other developers/games release the PS5 news updates shortly after release; So instead of the season's “New Characters” splash art, it's a 7-month-old newsfeed article? pic.twitter.com/t78Ze6fg1W

— ReptileHand (@ReptileHand) September 29, 2024

GameSpot has reached out to Sony for comment on the PS5 dashboard ads.

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