Sony has taken another step towards revolutionizing the gaming experience by rolling out a beta test for cloud game streaming to PS Plus Premium subscribers. This highly anticipated feature comes with the added benefit of supporting up to 4K resolution, providing a potential game-changing advantage to players.
The cloud streaming initiative, announced back in June, aims to reshape how players access and enjoy their favorite titles, offering a glimpse into the future of gaming convenience and accessibility.
The beta test allows fortunate participants to explore a variety of exciting aspects that cloud game streaming offers. According to an alleged email shared on Reddit, inviting a select group of testers, the feature is being unveiled as "PS5 cloud streaming," a technological advancement that Sony holds great excitement about. The email also acknowledges the invaluable role of these beta testers, emphasizing their significant contribution to refining this groundbreaking innovation.
User feedback from those who have gained early access to the beta test has been promising. One tester, going by the username ArashiGames on the gaming forum ResetEra, reported seamless gameplay while testing titles like God of War: Ragnarok and Returnal. The resolution options provided during the testing ranged from 720p to an impressive 2160p for specific titles, underlining the potential for stunning visual quality that 4K streaming can deliver.
The streaming experience itself has been described as effortless, with testers mentioning a new section in the PS Plus menu dedicated to streaming PS5 games. A simple selection process enables the game to load within a matter of seconds.
The beta testers noted an array of exciting game options available for streaming, including standout titles like God of War: Ragnarok, Horizon Forbidden West, Fortnite, Fall Guys, Destiny 2, Returnal, Demon’s Souls, Death Stranding, Sackboy A Big Adventure, Destruction All Stars, and Fall Guys — with trials available for Resident Evil Village and Demon Slayer as well.
The inclusion of 4K resolution streaming in the beta test is particularly noteworthy, as it positions Sony's cloud gaming offering in a competitive light against other players in the field, such as Xbox Cloud Gaming. By supporting resolutions that go beyond the standard 1080p, Sony's platform can potentially deliver a higher level of visual fidelity, giving players an enhanced and immersive gaming experience.
As the beta testing phase unfolds, the potential implications of cloud game streaming on the gaming landscape become clearer. Beyond the current beta, Sony's future plans for the technology remain intriguing, especially with the upcoming "Project Q" streaming handheld on the horizon. Boasting an 8-inch 1080p screen with a 60Hz refresh rate, the device has the potential to further expand the accessibility and reach of cloud gaming.
It's important to note that this exciting new avenue of gaming will be exclusively available to PS Plus Premium members. With a monthly fee of $18, PS Plus Premium already provides access to cloud gaming for PS4, PS3, and select "classic" titles, offering a diverse and expansive gaming library to subscribers.
