PlayStation Now has been alive and kicking in the US for a little while now, but we're only just starting to get our first taste of the service in the UK. Sony is currently running a beta in Britain, which has allowed Digital Foundry to write a full and frank report on the state of the cloud gaming initiative. Its conclusion? There's definite potential in the platform.
While it does note that latency and video quality can be an issue in certain titles, the publication also points out that the programme plots a return to the plug-and-play experiences of old. Indeed, assuming that you've got a fast enough connection, there's no need for patching or installing; games run right away.
However, one unexpected benefit of the service is that it brings with it much faster loading times – an advantage of the titles being stored on a server rack, rather than a standard consumer console. According to Digital Foundry, using the service cuts in-game delays by up to 50 per cent, which is a vast improvement compared to local hardware.
Of course, the biggest challenge that Sony continues to face with this entire initiative is monetising it. Overseas, it's introduced a subscription model, but we're still yet to learn what kind of uptake it has seen. Have you tried PlayStation Now yet, and what do you think of it? Stream some thoughts into the comments section below.
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 5
I have the beta for this.. been impressed with it so far! Was told I might need to make sure my internet is wired to my console but the connection test told me i would be fine over a wireless connection. I was worried that during games it might lag or the quality might drop but that hasn't happened at all! Only a small selection of games so far but does include the likes of Uncharted 2, Killzone and dead space 3
I played quite a few random games big and small, a lot of the smaller titles, the retro/indie type stuff I had no problem with, a few of the bigger games did have intermittent issues, I was underwhelmed but then probably the only games I'd want to go back and play now are elder scrolls stuff so it ain't for me in general.
If it's subscription-based in the UK too I probably won't be interested in this...
I've found the service to be largely impressive, although I have lagged out if my kids have been sat hung Netflix or something. Overall though its pretty good IMO.
No problems with it, connection is good on wireless. Only downside is now i have been locked out of plus since around thurs night but the service had been running fine 2 weeks prior to getting the ps now beta, sony have no idea what is wrong but im not the first with this problem there loads of other people with the same issues...once this is fixed i hope the beta will still be rolling.
Edit: was enjoying uncharted 2 in the beta, brings back lots of memories
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