August 2014 Update
As promised, the beta began on July 31st! However, what gamers found was high prices, no subscription service and poor streaming conditions.
Currently, the service features outlandish prices for renting games, such as 90 days of streaming Darksiders for $14.99 -- more expensive than buying a copy of the game and owning it. Prices range as high as $59.99 for some games.
The service features PlayStation 3 titles only and reports have come in that a large amount of lag and dropped connections are the norm.
Sony has said that they are "looking into" a subscription service for the future, but will anyone care about PlayStation Now by then? What could have been an amazing service is quickly becoming a joke.
June 2014 Update
Sony has announced that the open beta for PlayStation Now will begin on July 31st on the PlayStation 4! Any PlayStation 4 user will be able to try out the service on this date -- PlayStation Plus is not a requirement.
5/20 Update
We have just received word that the PlayStation Now Beta is now being rolled out on the PlayStation 4! If you've signed up for the beta, check your email!
If you're already a member of the beta on PlayStation 3, you will need a new code for the PS4 beta. Sony says that current beta testers will receive PS4 codes in a few weeks.
We knew that Sony was always working on a backwards compatibility solution involving the Gaikai service, but we never expected the company to announce its plans this early: barely two months after launch in the United States!
At CES 2014, Sony President Andrew House announced the PlayStation Now service, a streaming service that will look to bring PlayStation 1, 2, and 3 games to your PS4, Vita, PlayStation 3 and even the new 2014 models of Sony's BRAVIA TV!
Details are slim on the service but here is what we know so far:
- The PlayStation Now service will stream games digitally from Sony's cloud to your PlayStation 4.
- The service will allow you to rent games individually or purchase a monthly subscription.
- The service will add trophies to past PlayStation era games. In the official Sony press release, it was stated that "In addition, the service will support many popular PSN features such as online multi-player, Trophies, and messages."
- The service will seamlessly transition your PlayStation Now games from one system to another. For example, start a game on PlayStation 3, continue that game on the Vita while you're out and about and then resume that game on your PlayStation 4.
- The service will have a beta in the United States at the end of January, but only for the PlayStation 3.
- The service will fully launch in summer for the PlayStation 4.
Currently, Sony is showcasing four games for the service at CES which we predict will be used to launch the service:
The Last Of Us
God of War: Ascension
Puppeteer
Beyond: Two Souls
Sony has unveiled a PlayStation Now website, which is sadly devoid of information but is the place to sign up for the beta, which will begin Spring 2014.
As we learn further information, we will update this post so come back often!
Update - January 29, 2014:
According to a source working on Sony's PlayStation Now service, PS1 and PS2 games will run locally via emulation on the PS4 with the possibility of the games being in HD. That's right: there is a possibility that we will be able to finally play some of our favorite PS1 and PS2 classics in high definition. More details on Sony's plans for PS1 and PS2 games will be reported as they are announced, so stay tuned.
What do you think, PS4 Experts readers? Would you pay a monthly fee to access the back catalog of three PlayStation systems? Let us know in the comments!
Article by - Joshua Phillips
Insert Date: 1/7/2014
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Comments
It depends
playstation now
Seems cool would we have to
This sounds absurd.
No if we have to pay to play
SUBTLE MILKING.
No way I'm paying for this
Ps4
Makes sense
Cross platform compatibility?
probably not. (Or maybe for
good question
Meh, will wait.
absolutly Not!!!
Useful comment
Useful comment 2
NO NO NO NO!!! JUST NO!!!!!
its all about money
Play the games on your shelf
You are correct, but....
games
idea
Really?
Simple Solution
Australia will cover costs
The banks have closed.
Stop fooling yourself by
What? Are you for real?
Exactly !!!!
why not?
A lot of people already
.....
SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO
Hey Whatever....
wont the ps4 blow up if they
Never pay again
I agree. COD BO2, GTA5,
ya
like the idea...
THIS IS