Sony is testing streaming PlayStation 5 games via cloud, also in 4k resolution
Sony has started sending out PlayStation 5 Public Beta invites that will allow select users to test out the upcoming cloud streaming service for PS5 games. Eventually, streaming PS5 games will become part of the PS Plus Premium subscription.
Source: ArashiGames / ResetEra
The company confirms opposite The Verge that it has started the cloud streaming beta, but doesn’t share any further details. From screenshots from some beta testers, the PlayStation Plus Premium service appears to be available in 720p, 1080p, 1440p and 4k resolutions. Microsoft’s competing Xbox Cloud Gaming service supports up to 1080p at 60fps.
It is not clear what exactly this setting within the PS5 cloud streaming service means. It can be as much about the resolution of the game rendering as it is about the actual stream quality. The Verge writes that a 4k stream resolution would be an advantage regardless of whether the receiver uses a 4k television. Because cloud gaming requires a lot of data transfer, the files need to be compressed. In any case, a 4k stream should provide better image quality.
It is not officially known which PS5 games will be available via Sony’s streaming service. According to a beta tester include God of War: Ragnarok, Horizon Forbidden West, Fortnite, Fall Guys, Destiny 2, Returnal, Demon’s Souls, Death Stranding, Sackboy: A Big Adventure and Destruction All Stars. Sony said at the service’s announcement that PlayStation 5 games “from the Plus and Game Trials catalogue” will be available, in addition to select digital titles already owned by players. For the time being, no concrete list has been announced with PS5 games that can ultimately be streamed via a PS Plus Premium subscription of 17 euros per month.
In principle, a cloud streaming service for PC, PS4 and PS5 has been available for some time, where customers of the relevant subscription can stream selected PlayStation 4 games via PS Plus and a catalog of classic PS1, PS2, PS3 and PSP games. The Remote Play function has also been around for some time, allowing games to be streamed from a PS5 console to other screens.