Sony has reportedly commenced the rollout of a cloud streaming beta for subscribers of its PS Plus Premium service, with support for resolutions up to 4K. Initially mentioned as being in the “early stages” of development in June, this feature is geared towards assisting users in accessing PS Plus catalog titles, game trials, and compatible digital PS5 titles they own. The implementation of cloud streaming could potentially offer a solution to the issue of lengthy downloads and storage constraints faced by PlayStation owners.
According to an alleged email from PlayStation to a selected tester, shared on Reddit, the introduction of PS5 cloud streaming was described with excitement, and the testing phase was deemed significant. The beta phase is conducted using unique invite codes that are non-transferable to other users. The email underscores that certain features might undergo modifications before the official launch of cloud streaming.
A user on the ResetEra forum, under the handle ArashiGames, reported their experience with the beta, stating that they tested games like God of War: Ragnarok at 2160p with no apparent issues. They noted the availability of resolution options ranging from 720p to 2160p for the tested title and affirmed that Returnal could be streamed in 4K. The user also highlighted the presence of a new section in the PS Plus menu specifically dedicated to streaming PS5 games, where selecting a game led to almost instantaneous loading. Among the titles they mentioned as streaming options were Horizon Forbidden West, Fortnite, Destiny 2, and Death Stranding. The 4K resolution capability could potentially position Sony’s cloud streaming favorably against Xbox Cloud Gaming, which tops out at 1080p resolution and 60fps.
Additionally, Sony’s upcoming streaming handheld device, tentatively known as “Project Q,” is set to feature an 8-inch, 1080p screen with a 60Hz refresh rate. Although confirmed to support Remote Play, which entails streaming directly from a console, the device could also potentially accommodate cloud streaming. The launch of this accessory is slated for later in the year, with pricing details yet to be revealed.
Notably, game streaming through cloud services will be exclusively available to PS Plus Premium members. The existing $18 per month subscription service already facilitates cloud gaming for PS4, PS3, and select classic titles, enabling gamers to stream available games to their PS5, PS4, or PC.
