Sony announced that the PlayStation Now streaming service will soon expand to allow gamers to stream PlayStation 4 titles on their Windows PCs, in addition to the PlayStation 4.
PlayStation Now allows subscribers to stream hundreds of PlayStation 3 titles to their PlayStation 4 and Windows PC. With the announcement, PlayStation 4 titles are expected to be added to the service's catalog soon.
What Is PlayStation Now?
For those who are unfamiliar, PlayStation Now is a subscription service that offers gamers access to a large and continuously expanding gaming library, which currently stands at 483 titles, for a monthly fee of $19.99 or an annual fee of $99.99.
The service utilizes Sony's cloud streaming technology to allow players to have unlimited access to its catalog, with titles selected to be played loaded immediately without the need to wait for downloads to complete and be installed. PlayStation Now also uses cloud saves to allow players to continue the games that they play on the service on other PlayStation 4 units and PCs.
Sony noted that the most popular games for the streaming service last month included Red Dead Redemption, Mortal Kombat, The Last of Us, Tekken Tag Tournament 2, and WWE 2K15.
PlayStation 4 Games Coming To PlayStation Now
In an announcement posted on the official PlayStation blog, Sony revealed that PlayStation 4 games are being prepared to be introduced into the PlayStation Now catalog. The PlayStation 4 titles will be made accessible to all subscribers of the streaming service, in addition to the PlayStation 3 games that they are now already enjoying.
Sony also noted that it will be launching a private test over the next few weeks for PlayStation 4 games on the PlayStation Now service. Active subscribers should regularly check their emails, as Sony will be sending out invitations to participate in the testing.
No specific date has been stated for the arrival of PlayStation 4 titles on PlayStation Now, nor is there any mention on what games will be included upon launch. Sony, however, promised that more information regarding the update will be revealed as the arrival of PlayStation 4 games on the streaming service draws nearer.
Bringing PlayStation 4 games into the PlayStation Now service will likely require Sony to upgrade its data centers, as streaming PlayStation 4 titles will require more powerful machines.
For gamers who are interested in trying out PlayStation Now, the service offers a free trial that lasts for seven days.
PlayStation Now vs Xbox Game Pass
PlayStation Now is seen as the backward compatibility solution for the PlayStation 4, and as such, players have actually been clamoring for PlayStation 1 and PlayStation 2 titles to be added to service, not PlayStation 4 games.
The move to bring PlayStation 4 titles into PlayStation Now can be considered as Sony's response to the Xbox Game Pass that Microsoft unveiled last month. In comparison with PlayStation Now, the Xbox Game Pass costs only $9.99 per month but will require players to download games into their Xbox One or Xbox 360 once it launches in the spring.
Sony also revealed last month that it is ending PlayStation Now support for the PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3, and other devices to allow the service to focus on the PlayStation 4 and PC.
