You might remember last year Sony was saying about how they were going to use Gaikai technology they bought in 2012 to allow people to stream older games to devices, well, the time has come for Sony to take the wraps off this service. It’s now officially called PlayStation Now.
Basically, it’ll allow, initially anyway, you to stream PSOne, PS2, PS3 and PS4 games to the PS3 and PS4. Soon after it’ll work on other devices as well – Phones, TVs, Tablets, etc… You’ll be able to either Rent games or pay a subscription to play them! This is awesome. There was a few games I didn’t get to play / finish on the PS3 and when this kicks off in the Summer, and assuming there’ll be a decent back catalogue, I’ll be catching up on some older games through my PS4!
Details are a little sparse at the moment, but that doesn’t bother me, we know it’s coming, we know what it’s called and we know its fairly soon, so that’s all good! Microsoft must be bricking it… First Sony announce they sold 4.2million PS4’s to the end of 2013 (topping the 3million Xbox One’s) and now Sony announce you’ll be able to play older games on your new console (which the Xbox One can’t and as far as we all know, won’t do).
Here’s the full Press Release with all the details:
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today announced that “PlayStation™Now” (PS Now), the company’s streaming game service that leverages cloud-based technology, will become officially available in the United States this summer. PS Now will deliver a variety of popular PlayStation®3 (PS3™) game titles*1 first on PlayStation®4 (PS4™) and PS3 systems, followed by the PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita) system.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20020701/SFM066LOGO)
In addition to PlayStation platforms, most 2014 U.S. models of Sony’s BRAVIA® TV*2 lineup will support PS Now. Eventually the service will expand beyond PlayStation platforms and Sony devices, allowing users to stream PlayStation games on numerous other Internet-connected devices.
SCE’s vision for PS Now is to enable users to instantly enjoy a wide range of full games on the Internet-connected consumer electronics devices they use every day. The accessibility of PS Now means, for example, that PS4 users in the living room can continue playing a game on a PS3 system in their bedroom. Or PS Vita users can enjoy instant access to a game wherever there’s Wi-Fi connectivity, such as outdoors, then can switch to a supporting BRAVIA® TV’s big screen and play the same game after arriving home.
PS Now will offer choice to gamers with how they want to access content. Gamers can rent by title for specific games they are interested in, or they can choose a subscription that delivers additional value with the ability to explore and play many games available across a wide variety of genres. In addition, the service will support many popular PSNSM features such as online multi-player, Trophies, and messages.
“We are thrilled to deliver entertainment experiences only possible from PlayStation through our new streaming game service,” said Andrew House, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “PS Now will allow users to engage in the world of PlayStation, whether they’re existing fans or have never owned a PlayStation platform.”
During the 2014 International CES held in Las Vegas from January 7, attendees can visit the Sony booth to have a hands-on experience with the PS Now service for the first time ever. Attendees can enjoy four blockbuster PS3 titles, BEYOND: Two Souls, God of War: Ascension, The Last of Us and Puppeteer from SCE Worldwide Studios, on PS Vita or BRAVIA® TV.
Prior to the official launch, SCE will begin a beta program on PS3 systems in certain regions of the United States from the end of January. Additional information about PS Now will be available at http://us.playstation.com/playstationnow.
SCE will continue to create and expand a new world of entertainment only available on PlayStation through the introduction of innovative technologies and services that deliver amazing experiences.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140107/AQ41700LOGO)
*1 Details of supported titles will be announced when ready.
*2 Among the 9 U.S. models launching in 2014, 1 model (KDL-R400B) will not support this service.
