Beta Testing for PlayStation 5 Cloud Game Streaming Service Launches
According to reports, Sony has started the beta release of a cloud streaming service for PS Plus Premium subscribers, which allows for 4K resolution. Initially announced in June as being in the early development phase, this feature will enable users to access PS Plus catalog titles, game trials, and digital PS5 titles they own. This service could be beneficial for PlayStation users as it eliminates the need for time-consuming downloads that consume storage space.
A PlayStation email to an invited tester, posted on Reddit, says: “We’re excited to announce PS5 cloud streaming, and your help in testing it means a lot to us.” During the beta phase, exclusive invitation codes are used that cannot be shared with other users. The email notes that features may change before cloud streaming is officially released.
User ArashiGames wrote on ResetEra that they tested God of War: Ragnarok at 2160p with “no issues so far.” They described the resolution options for that title between 720p and 2160p, and they said that Returnal will be streamed in 4K. “There’s a new section in the PS+ menu dedicated to streaming PS5 games,” the beta tester wrote. “Just click on the game and it will load in seconds.” They listed Horizon Forbidden West, Fortnite, Destiny 2, and Death Stranding (among others) as streaming options. The 4K resolution can prove to be a competitive advantage against Xbox Cloud Gaming, which has a maximum resolution of 1080p and 60 fps.
Sony’s upcoming “Project Q” streaming handheld will feature an 8-inch 1080p display with a 60Hz refresh rate. The add-on has been confirmed to use Remote Play (streaming from the console instead of the cloud), but could theoretically support cloud streaming as well. The device will be released later this year at an as yet unknown price.
Game streaming is exclusive to PS Plus Premium members. $18/month. The service already supports cloud gaming for PS4, PS3 and certain “classic” games. It allows you to stream available games to PS5, PS4 or PC.
