PlayStation Now: How does the streaming service work?
With PlayStation Now, Sony will launch a PS4 streaming service next year that will allow PS3 games to be played from the cloud. We already explain how the service should work.
Update: Registration phase for PS Now beta test started
- Since December 16, 2015 you can register online with Sony for the German beta phase. This is a raffle, so a place is not guaranteed. Sony has not yet announced how many players will be admitted.
- Open the PlayStation Now registration form, leave your PSN Online ID, accept the terms and click "Done". You should receive a response via email within the next few days.
- It is still unclear exactly when the beta test will start. What is certain is that the test phase will run for a month and a selection of 20 PS3 titles can be called up at this time. For a smooth game you need a download speed of at least 5 Mbit / s.
PlayStation 3 games streamed to your PS4
PlayStation Now is based on the technology of the Gaikai streaming service that Sony bought for its own purposes.
- With PlayStation Now it is possible to have PlayStation games streamed to PlayStation 4. PlayStation Now only streams video and sound to the console.
- You no longer have to buy and download a game, but can play it as part of a subscription on Sony's servers.
- In the future, PlayStation Now should also be usable on other Sony devices. These include the PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3, PlayStation TV and various Bravia televisions.
- PlayStation Now is currently in an open beta in America, where so far only PlayStation 3 games can be streamed. In the future, titles of PlayStation, PlayStation 2 and even PlayStation 4 are also being considered.
- Devices like Bravia televisions require a DualShock 3 or DualShock 4 controller in order to use PlayStation Now. PlayStation devices, on the other hand, manage with the enclosed input options.
- The smooth streaming of PlayStation Now required a good internet connection. Sony recommends an internet connection of at least 5 Mbps to get the most out of PlayStation Now.
- PlayStation Now should be available by subscription or on a single title basis. Sony wants to loan games for 7, 30, or 90 days. In addition, there should be four-hour short loans to test a game.
- So far there is only a temporary price structure, which will change however. In America, for example, Sony charges $ 2.99 for four hours, $ 5.99 for seven days, $ 7.99 for 30 days, and $ 14.99 for 90 days. So far, there is no information about the subscription model on the European market.