Sony has officially announced a groundbreaking feature for its PlayStation 5: Cloud Streaming. This revolutionary new addition, set to be available exclusively to PlayStation Plus Premium Members, allows players to stream titles from the cloud, bypassing the need for lengthy downloads and conserving precious storage space on their consoles.
The new cloud streaming capability will debut later this month, with Japan leading the rollout on October 17, followed by Europe on October 23, and finally reaching North American shores on October 30. To start, a limited selection of titles, including the acclaimed Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Ghost of Tsushima, and Mortal Kombat 11, will be made available. However, Sony has promised an expansion of this list, with hundreds of titles in the pipeline as part of its commitment to enhancing the gaming experience for their user base.
Beyond the titles pre-loaded in the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog, Premium members will also have access to Game Trials. This feature provides time-limited versions of popular games, such as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Hogwarts Legacy, effectively functioning as extended demos. For those with an existing library of digital titles, like Resident Evil 4 and Genshin Impact, they’ll be pleased to discover that these games will be available for streaming, provided they hold a Plus Premium membership.
But the cloud streaming experience is not limited to just the gameplay. Sony has ensured that the visual and auditory experience remains top-notch. Members will be presented with a slew of resolution options, ranging from 720p to the coveted 4K. All of these can be enjoyed at 60 frames per second with both SDR and HDR outputs. On the auditory front, gamers can immerse themselves with 5.1 and 7.1 audio options and the custom Tempest 3D audio engine, a feature first unveiled with the PS5’s release in 2020. Additionally, Sony offers users the ability to capture screenshots and record up to three minutes of gameplay, which can then be conveniently saved to the PS5’s media gallery app.
As for the pricing, this is where things get controversial. To access the cloud streaming feature, an active membership to PlayStation Plus Premium, which now comes with an annual price tag of $160, is mandatory. This price increase, up from the previous $120, reflects the bolstered offerings of the service, which now includes cloud streaming capability. But, we can’t deny that it hasn’t gone well with fans, especially in countries where the price increase hits harder.
It’s essential to contextualize Sony’s move within the broader gaming industry. Cloud gaming is swiftly becoming a big part of the gaming landscape. Microsoft, a key player and competitor, has already made significant strides with Xbox Game Pass streaming beta. While their offering is replete with older titles, Microsoft has been more liberal in including exclusive recent releases, a feature notably absent from Sony’s current lineup.
More importantly, Microsoft’s Game Pass extends its cloud gaming capability to desktops and Android phones. This is a flexibility Sony’s current model doesn’t offer. The biggest benefit of cloud gaming is bypassing the traditional hardware constraints, allowing players to engage with their favorite games without committing to expensive equipment, which, by the way, has become too expensive for most. Given the substantial financial outlay required for next-gen consoles and high-end PCs, cloud gaming presents an appealing alternative for many.
Even with these considerations, Sony’s venture into cloud streaming for the PS5 is undeniably significant. It kicks off an era that promises enhanced convenience, flexibility, and a broader array of gaming experiences. As the cloud streaming landscape continues to evolve, with more titles, features, and perhaps even platform expansions on the horizon, it’s an exciting time to be a part of the PlayStation community.
Speaking of Sony, we know one reviewer that won’t be part of its community going forward after leaking their review of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 way ahead of the review embargo.
