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PlayStation Now game streaming officially arrives on Vita and PS TV
If you've been itchin' to give PlayStation Now's streaming a go on your gaming handheld, the wait is over. The subscription service officially arrived on the PlayStation Vita and PlayStation TV, delivering access to over 125 games on those two devices. PlayStation Now had been available on the Vita and PlayStation TV in beta form for months, but now it's making a proper debut after hitting the PS3 back in May. In addition to equipping two more gaming gadgets with the service, five new titles are being added this month. Joining the library of titles in August are Dynasty Warriors 8, MX vs. ATV Supercross, Bomberman Ultra, The Last Guy and, most importantly, God of War III. With new games being added on the regular and Sony offering newcomers a free one-week trial, there's really now excuse for PlayStation owners to take the service for a test drive. [Image credit: Getty Images]
Sony's PlayStation Now UK beta is now open to everyone
Until now, only a select few Brits have been invited to try out Sony's PlayStation Now game streaming service. That changes today, however, as Sony has now opened up the beta trial to anyone wanting to take it for a spin. If you own either a PlayStation 4 or a compatible TV from Sony's Bravia range (and at least one DualShock 3/4 controller), you can fire up PS Now and rent any of a selection of PS3 games for two- or 30-day periods. And since it's a steaming service, you can play them immediately, no download required.
PlayStation Now's streaming app wants to be Netflix for games
PlayStation Now's all-you-can-play game subscription service launched back in January on PlayStation 4, but the method for actually playing those games has been kind of a nightmare. Today's news of a dedicated subscription app might change that. Before this, every time you wanted to stream a new game, you had to go through the PlayStation Store, sift through a handful of menus, pick something (much like you would to purchase a game) and then hope that it even launched the first try. A streaming app that minimizes menu fatigue and works along the lines of a Netflix or Hulu actually makes a lot of sense here.
Sony shifts to pricey game rentals in UK PlayStation Now beta
Sony kicked off closed beta testing of its PlayStation Now game streaming service in the UK a couple of months ago, and now it's time to talk turkey. Beta participants previously had unrestricted access to the PS Now streaming catalogue, but Sony's just started experimenting with rental pricing. A full-fat PS3 title now costs £5 to rent for two days, or £10 if you want to stretch that to a 30-day term; PS3-era PlayStation Network games are slightly cheaper at £3 and £8 for two- and 30-day rental periods, respectively. Bear in mind, PS Now is still in the early stages of beta testing in the UK, and Sony's made it clear that it'll be playing around with "different rental options at different price points."
Samsung Smart TVs get PlayStation Now game-streaming service
We knew PlayStation Now support was coming to Samsung Smart TVs, but now it's finally here. If you have a compatible 2015 set in your home (or office), you can now start streaming games directly from Sony's subscription service. However, do keep in mind that you'll need a DualShock 4 controller to get started -- which is much better than needing an entire console. Up until now, PlayStation Now had only been compatible with Sony hardware, including the PS4, PS3, PS Vita and some TVs, so it's great to see the service become more widely available. Unfortunately, this is only available to users in the US and Canada, at least for the time being.
PlayStation Now's game streaming subscription hits PS3
It was easy to scoff at Sony when the electronics giant said it had a 10 year plan for the PlayStation 3, but here we are almost a decade later and it's still supporting the console. Case in point: the firm's announced that it's bringing subscriptions for the PlayStation Now game-streaming service to Blu-ray's trojan horse. It all starts on May 12th, and beyond that a handful of new games are hitting the service too. They include F1 2014 , Farming Simulator and the ever-so-charming Fat Princess (that's an awful lot of "F" games now that I think about it), bringing total number of streaming titles to around 100.
PlayStation game-streaming service comes to Samsung smart TVs in 2015
Sony isn't afraid to partner with competitors if it means getting PlayStation Now in more homes, apparently. The outfit just announced that it's teaming with Samsung to bake the PlayStation game-streaming service into some of the rival electronics giant's smart TVs starting next year. Sony says some 200 PlayStation 3 games will be available to stream, and that the service runs at full functionality, specifically mentioning things like trophies, online multiplayer and cloud-saves for game-progress. Sound familiar? It should because that's how the service works on Bravia TVs and PlayStation game consoles. What's more, all you'll need is one of Sony's DualShock 4 gamepads to control the action.
EA is bringing some big-name games to PlayStation Now
Sony's game-streaming service, PlayStation Now, has taken big leaps since being introduced earlier this year. However, the platform still lacks a bit when it comes to the amount, and quality, of content it offers access to. Starting next month, though, PlayStation Now is adding some big games to its library, thanks to a new deal from Sony and EA. Bejeweled 3, Dead Space 3, Mass Effect 2, Mirror's Edge and NBA Jam On Fire Edition are all coming to the service on December 2nd, which is great news for those of you with a PS3, PS4, PS Vita, PS TV or a compatible Sony TV. You'll be able to rent any one of these for as little as $1 per day, although there will be other pricing tiers available -- it depends on how long you'd like to keep them.
PlayStation Now game streaming reaches PS TV and Vita on October 14th
If you're planning to snag a PlayStation TV with game streaming in mind, you'll be glad to hear that it will be ready to go on day one. Sony has posted an FAQ confirming that the PlayStation Now beta will be available on the PS TV (and the PS VIta) in North America on October 14th, the same day that the mini console hits store shelves. As with the Now tests on bigger PlayStations, you'll have the option of renting 150-plus PS3 games with multiplayer support and cloud-based saves. Whether or not you're bent on using Now from the start, the FAQ is a handy primer for all the less-than-obvious things the PS TV can do -- it's worth a trip to the source link if you're at all curious.
PlayStation TV launches October 14th in US and Canada
Sony will be releasing its PlayStation TV here in the US and in Canada on October 14th. What's more, as it looks to get people amped up for it, the company also let it be known that the mini console is set to have nearly 700 playable games from day one, giving interested folks Stateside and in The Great White North something to look forward to come launch day. That amount of games, naturally, is made possible thanks to the PlayStation TV's flexibility -- it provides access to a variety of content in different ways, including through PS Vita titles, PlayStation Now and via Remote Play with a PlayStation 4. The PlayStation TV is going to be available for $99 (system-only), or you also have the option to get a $140 bundle which includes a DualShock 3 controller, 8GB memory card and The Lego Movie Videogame.
PlayStation Now's creator explains how game streaming came to Sony
With the PlayStation Now beta just opening to a larger chunk of the gaming population, you might be wondering how the streaming service came to Sony in the first place. Why did Gaikai drop its entire PC audience to join a console maker? Thankfully for you, Gaikai chief David Perry has just shed light on that transition in an interview with GameInformer. Simply put, streaming on computers was becoming a nightmare for Perry's team before the 2012 acquisition. The sheer number of compatibility problems was "massively reducing" the number of titles Gaikai could support, and the software required increasingly elaborate tricks (such as image recognition) just to run at all. The company wanted to escape these headaches by going to a platform with standardized elements like controllers and copy protection. When Sony came knocking, it quickly became clear that the PlayStation was a good match -- it solved many challenges in one fell swoop.
Sony brings PlayStation Now game streaming to the PS3
You don't need a fancy current-gen console to stream all those Sony classics -- the company announced last night that its Netflix-esque PlayStation Now open beta is finally, well, open to PlayStation 3 owners in the United States and Canada. It's about time, really: PS3 owners have been part of the more selective closed beta program since January, but Sony opened the early access gates to folks with PlayStation 4s first. As always, though, be sure to keep a few things in mind before you take the plunge. You'll get access to some 150 PS3 titles as part of the deal (including forthcoming hits like inFAMOUS and Ultra Street Fighter IV) but rental prices for these games tend to range between $3 and $20. That span isn't awful, but considering you'd be able to pick up physical copies of some of those games for about the same price, you'll have to think about just how valuable picking up new games while immobile on the couch really is.
Sony's secretive new idea division is trying to turn around '20 lost years'
It's been tough times for Sony, and it's very much aware of it. While we hear all about the company cutting loose unsuccessful parts (whether it's PCs or e-readers), the other side of the coin is ensuring Sony can make another hit. Nikkei has done a deep dive (in Japanese and paywalled, unfortunately) on the electronics manufacturers' bid to drum up new business ideas. The next Walkman or the next PlayStation could well come from the New Business Creation department, first suggested by employee Shinji Odajima last April. He was then appointed head of it. "There [are] still plenty of employees in Sony looking for a challenge," he said. An initial meeting for new business idea "auditions" was set to house 300 employees in June: Over 800 turned up. Odajima has now received over 200 ideas -- though he's not sharing those with anyone just yet.
Sony's Share Play turns your PS4 into a 'virtual couch' for online co-op
We just got a closer look at some of the big-name titles coming to the PS4 from Gamescom, but Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan just took a moment to talk about SharePlay. It's slated to come as part of the PS4's 2.00 update in the fall, and it's perhaps not quite what you'd expect -- the feature essentially lets you "share" your copy of a game (any game!) with online friends who also have PlayStation Plus. Sony refers to the resulting co-op experience as a "virtual couch," from which you can jointly tackle challenges in games, and yield control of your avatar to remotely situated pals who are better equipped to beat a game than you are. Sure, that'll require acknowledging someone else's gaming superiority, but at least you won't have to deal with their gloating in person.
Sony reveals 2.0 upgrade coming to PS4 with Share Play and YouTube uploads
At its Gamescom press conference, Sony has just announced its big upcoming software update for the PS4. System update 2.0 will bring the PlayStation Now-powered "Share Play" feature that lets your friends join in from anywhere to play together or take over the controls -- even if they don't own the game you're playing -- and video uploads directly to YouTube along with a native app for the service. It's due this fall and will add more features including "friend-of-friend" activity in the What's New section, instant access to friends and recently played broadcasts plus the ability to search by real names. Sony says it has more to announce in the coming months, so let us know, what do you want to see in the next big update for the 10 million+ selling PlayStation 4?
Sony explains what's in the PlayStation Now open beta for PS4
Sony's had limited tests of its cloud-based gaming service running for the last few months, but it's taking PlayStation Now to the next level tomorrow by letting anyone with a PS4 (that's in the continental US or southern Canada) join in. There's a new blog post and video up now telling gamers what to expect: PS3 games, cloud saves, trophies, and "a variety of rental periods" depending on the game. As far as an all-you-can-eat option following the lead of Netflix or EA's just-announced EA Access -- that Sony doesn't think you need -- Sony reaffirmed that it's working on a subscription option for PS Now, but didn't provide any more details. As for how much it costs now, there will be four-hour rentals for $2, as well as 7-, 30- and 90-day options for between $3 and $20, across a library of more than 100 titles. You can check out our hands-on impressions from CES after the break, or check out Sony's website for more information like which games are available (Metal Gear Solid V, Ratchet and Clank: Into the Nexus, Ultra Street Fighter IV and more.)
PlayStation Now will start streaming PS3 games to Sony TVs next week
Sony has been testing its PlayStation Now cloud streaming game service for months, with a select group of players testing it out on the PS3 and PS4 (all PS4 owners can try it out at the end of next month). On Monday, that group will expand to include owners of some of Sony's 2014 TVs, including all 4K Ultra HD sets and some of the 1080p models. As a part of the PlayStation Pilot Service, that means that if they live in the continental US, they can play PS3 games with just an internet-connected TV and a DualShock 3 controller plugged in via USB.
Sony's PlayStation Now beta opens to all PS4 owners on July 31st
While its E3 presser has mostly been about specific games like Little Big Planet 3 and Destiny, Sony has just given us a bit of good news about its game streaming service, PlayStation Now. Starting July 31st, all gamers in the US and Canada (excluding Hawaii and Alaska) will be able to join a full public beta of PS Now, assuming they have a PS4. PlayStation 3, Vita and "select" Sony TV owners (meaning you need the right TV model and a DualShock 3 controller to pair with it) will also be getting beta access shortly thereafter. Update: Sony has pushed out a press release with pricing information for some of the service's games. There will be over 100 titles available, all for rent at prices between $2.99 and $19.99 available for varying periods of time. Subscription-style access is still off in the future, as is a "pilot service" for compatible Bravia TVs, or access in Asia and Europe.
PlayStation Now's game streaming beta comes to PS4
Back in January we were impressed by just how well Sony's PlayStation Now game-streaming service worked, and the chance to test it out yourself could be coming rather soon. The closed beta program is making its way to the PlayStation 4 on May 20th (tomorrow!), according to the PS Blog, invites for new testers will be making their way select inboxes shortly. What's more, the outfit also says that it's opening the service's PS3 beta to more users as well. If you haven't thrown your last-gen console out just yet, this might be another reason to keep it around for a bit longer.
Playstation Now streaming service sends out invites for beta testing
We hope you're ready to stream your favorite PS3 games to, well, a lot of things, because Sony is rolling out the private beta testing phase for PlayStation Now, emailing the chosen ones with a confirmation link and instructions on what'll go down next. Those that sign up will get "exclusive access" to testing the new game streaming service as well as the ability to offer their (occasionally scathing) feedback to the PS Now team behind it all. Requirements are pretty fair too: you'll beed a PS3 wired to the internet and a 5Mbps or higher broadband connection. In case you forgot to sign up earlier, you can catch up right here. From those we've heard that are getting the invites, it might be limited to the LA and DC areas: as mentioned at Neogaf, the site asks for your zip code during the sign-up process.
