If you are looking to play (or just replay) some of the PlayStation 3's best games but find yourself without the actual system, Sony is now offering a solution.
Sony has announced that its video game streaming service, PlayStation Now, will officially launch Jan. 13 on PlayStation 4 with a subscription-based model, making it easier than ever before to play hundreds of older game titles without having to bust that PS3 out of your closet. Let's break down all the details.
What Does PlayStation Now Do?
Think of PlayStation Now as Netflix but for video games. Just like Netflix, signing up for PlayStation Now lets PS4 owners stream video games to their console just like a Netflix user would stream a movie or television show. No giant downloads required -- just stream and play. While at launch the service is only available for PS4 users, expect support to come to the PlayStation TV in the future as well.
What Games Are Available?
A variety of PS3 games, ranging from first-party Sony titles like Uncharted: Drake's Fortune to indie games like Spelunky, are available to be streamed and played. If you owned a PS3 you likely played many of these games, but Sony is sure to add more games to the list in the coming months. It's basically backwards compatibility that you have to pay for every month. For some it won't be worth the cost, but for others who want to relive some of their favorite PS3 titles or missed out on them the first go-around, the service could prove valuable.
How Much Does it Cost?
Just like Netflix, users of the service will pay a monthly fee to have access to the PlayStation Now library on their PS4. Right now, that subscription fee is $20 a month (or $44.99 for three) to gain access to hundreds of PS3 titles. Currently there is no option for a year-long or six-month subscription option. If you do happen to be interested in giving the service a try, Sony will be offering a free seven-day trial for the subscription program when it launches.
PlayStation Now has been in beta for several months now. At one point the Sony experimented with a rental system that had many fans crying foul over steep prices. It looks like Sony took the criticism to heart and transformed the streaming service into what they announced today. It will be a while before PlayStation Now offers an exhaustive collection of the PS3s massive game catalog, but for now it is a promising start.
