9 Things To Know About PlayStation Now; Plus How To Sign Up For The Beta

Sony announced a new game service that allows PS3 games to be played on PS3, PS Vita, TV’s, Tablets and smartphones called PlayStation Now. The PS Now service will work by streaming cloud-based games to Sony consoles, handhelds, TVs and more. The service is due to be released in the U.S. this summer with later release dates for other countries to follow. PlayStation Access put together a video showcasing the who, what, how and whens of PlayStation Now.

Based on the video from PlayStation Access and news from the PlayStation Blog we have compiled a list of 11 things you should know about Sony’s new service. Plus there may be a way to have access to the beta which is expected to be released later this month. Make sure to check out the video below to learn more about PS Now.

1. What is PlayStation Now? PS Now is a streaming service that will initially focus on delivering PlayStation 3 games through a range of Sony and PlayStation devices. It’s a way for gamers to have access to PlayStation games instantly without downloading them from the PlayStation online store or owning them on disc.

2. PlayStation Now works by utilizing cloud service to play the game remotely and sending you a stream of the gameplay which you control on whatever device you are using. Basically all the processing is done in a supercomputer and the images are sent back to you. Sony says gamers will need a good internet access with low latency to ensure responsive gameplay.

3. As of now PlayStation Now will be available for the PlayStation 3 and PS4 consoles with PS Vita and certain Sony smartphones and BRAVIA TV’s to follow. Eventually the aim is to have PS Now not just running on PlayStation and Sony devices but also on tablets and phones too.

4. Payment plans have not been announced for PlayStation Now but they will include the option to rent specific titles as well as subscription models covering multiple games. You can expect these models to look a lot like Netflix subscriptions, perhaps not the pricing but just as a general reference.

5. The game lineup has yet to be revealed but at CES 2014 Sony showed “Last of US,” “God of War: Ascensions,” “Beyond: Two Souls” and “Puppeteer.” Sony says the service will stream a vast library of first and third party games. Initially PS Now will only offer PlayStation 3 game titles but will expand to PS One and PS2 games in the future.

6. Every device that uses PlayStation Now will need to be paired with a DualShock 3 controller except of course for the PlayStation Vita which has its own keys and the PS4 which is already paired with a DualShock 4 controller.

7. This is perhaps the most important. The games you play using PS Now are fully featured, no lite versions here. You will be able to save, earn trophies, and play online multiplayer as normal.

8. PlayStation Now will be launching in the U.S. this summer with other countries to follow.

9. PlayStation Now will recommend users to have an internet connection speed of 5Mb to ensure a "good experience" according to Sony.

**NOTE this is not verified but it’s all we have at the time. To maybe get access to the beta for PlayStation Now It seems that you can sign up to learn more about the product and be in the know which may also grant you access to participate in the beta. First, go to this website. There, you will need to insert your first and last name, as well as a valid e-mail address, your zip code, and, perhaps most importantly, your PSN ID.

The website states that you will be kept “up with the latest news and updates on the evolution of PlayStation Now in the future” and that you can “register … to be the first to receive exclusive information on PlayStation Now.” It doesn’t implicitly state that you will receive a beta invitation, but this is usually how companies get the ball rolling on these kinds of projects. And besides it doesn’t hurt to sign up and get information, right?