It looks like swapping wallpapers in the PlayStation 4′s UI won’t be on the table for the next gen effort’s launch.

Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida is known for quick and concise responses to all sorts of fan questioning on Twitter. In fact, it’s one of the reasons why I like him a lot as a company head. When one user asked him whether or not we’ll be able to change backgrounds on the PlayStation 4, his answer was a precise “no.” Here’s the exchange in question..

.. The fact that Sony’s dropping custom wallpapers at the onset of the PlayStation 4′s launch tells me that they aren’t really interested in the amount of money earned from selling them on the PlayStation Network for the PlayStation 3. If custom backgrounds for the XMB were really that big of a profit point, I think Sony would be bringing them back.

Whatever the case, does the news that the PlayStation 4 won’t allow custom backgrounds and wallpapers bother you at all? Or, is this the type of thing you couldn’t care less about?

TechnoBuffalo: No Changing Backgrounds on the PlayStation 4

Well that sucks. I still have the Uncharted 3 theme that came with the game, or the beta. And I did like AC III's alot. Thoughts?

Does this mean that you won't be able to use your own images as backgrounds, but of course you'll be able to buy themes and change your background that way?

I never really liked to use anything other than my default XMB skin anyways. I guess they'll add it in later.

Uh he just said "no". If his no is anything like my no it means you wont be able to change the background at launch.... period. They will surely make the option available sooner or later but ... eh big deal? I have been using that rainy ally theme that came out before Heavy Rain's launch forever anyway so it isn't like I ever changed it much.

I'm guessing this just means it's another feature not coming until 2014.

I'm sure there will be some way to do something with it either at launch or in the future. Unless they're doing some cool stuff with it that warrants not being able to change it.

I guess it's kind of petty, but I always enjoyed changing up the backgrounds. It gives it a personal touch. I'm sure at some point they'll add it as an option.

I'm really wishing they bring back buying backgrounds. Uncharted 4's would be really nice to see..

Given the fact that we can put our PS4 in sleep mode, are we really going to be seeing the home screen that often?

Sony does it again...

I'm really butthurt over this.

I don't even see my background on pc that often. I mean I turn on the pc, start firefox/games or work software or whatever. Who just sits there and look at the desktop background? I mean I still have the default background on 360/ps3 and its been 8 years.

Preorder canceled!

Kidding, I don't give a shit.

I bet this gets patched in within the next few months. I can't see any logical reason as to why they would remove that feature other than not having the time to implement it.

Man what the fuck. Sony's just dropping the ball constantly at this point.

Thanks Obama

But it does have ambient music now, it is basically like the Vita:

@nictel: It scares me how much I totally forgot Vita had music. Think i turned that off after the first few weeks.

My ps4 background will look clean and smooth, though I'm still debating what wallpaper I will use.

Sucks they're taking it out but ultimately I don't care.

I'm okay with this. Browsing PSN every Tuesday is like going to a softcore porn site with all the dumb "hot girl" wallpapers. Less of that wouldn't bother me at all.

But this means no Hatsune Miku custom themes anymore.

@i_stay_puft: Ive had the same dumb free theme I got from PS+ for like forever now honestly dont care.

That is a pretty basic feature to omit on a "next gen" console. Why are these things shipping half finished?

I thought some of the Dynamic themes were quite nice, like the Heavy Rain one or the Sega 'Memories' one. I liked the Journey one too, scrolled through all the concept art in the background, was nice. I haven't or wouldn't pay for them though, they're just a nice bonus. Nice.