Sony announced that it will invest time and resources into creating a remote app to stream its PlayStation 4 titles to Macs and PCs.
The app could make Sony go toe to toe with Microsoft, which released Xbox One streaming capability with Windows 10. The Japanese company aims to go the extra mile and deliver streaming for Mac as well, broadening its user base.
So far, Remote Play is one of Sony's lackluster features, as it allows gamers to stream only to PlayStation Vita and select Sony handsets, such as the Sony Xperia series. Sony could conquer a big slice of the gaming market if it chooses to expand the mobile compatibility to other Android-supporting phones and to iOS devices.
A few days ago, an independent studio, dubbed Twisted, showcased its PS4-to-PC streaming tool.
"I've been working on this project mostly part time for over a year when the Android version was first released in October 2014. I'd like to work on this project full time, adding features, getting it stable and porting it to other platforms which I know a lot of you want," Twisted pointed out in a blog post.
The coder underlined that for him to continue developing the app, the only sustainable way is to make users pay for it. He said that the starting point would be $10.
Sony's reaction was quick: the Japanese company said it would release an official app to stream games from the PlayStation 4 to computers. A Tweet from Shuhei Yoshida, president of Sony Worldwide Studios, confirms it.
Some people asked if we plan to provide Remote Play function to PC, and yes, we are indeed working on an official application for PC/Mac. :D
— Shuhei Yoshida (@yosp) November 27, 2015
This is far from good news for Twisted. When Sony will implement the streaming to Xperia phones and the PS Vita, there's a great chance Sony will charge nothing for it. The use of a mouse and keyboard is one of the major benefits in PC gaming, but Sony did not disclose yet if such compatibility will be integrated in the streaming app.
If Sony implements the remote streaming app for PCs and Macs, this gives more chances for gamers and TV fans to coexist peacefully under the same roof.
For example, one could take his Fallout 4 experience to the smaller display of the PC, while someone else watches the World Series.
