Highlights
- Sony is beta-testing 4K cloud gaming for the PS5, showing their commitment to exploring and expanding in the cloud gaming space.
- The beta tests include options for different resolutions, and players can pick up where they left off with automatic cloud saves.
- Sony's cloud gaming push comes at a time when Microsoft faces regulatory challenges, and it will be interesting to see how the space evolves in the future.
Sony is now officially beta-testing 4K cloud gaming for the PS5. Previously, the company had hinted that it's keen on exploring cloud gaming more intently via the PS5 owing to the growing interest in the space. Now, it appears that Sony is following through as gamers get a glimpse of what's to come on the platform.
Of course, Sony's cloud gaming efforts have been in the works for a while. Last year, Sony patented a cloud-streaming device along with a patent for a browser-based cloud gaming feature. More recently, another patent indicated that Sony is possibly working on a cloud gaming projector as well. With the new PS5 cloud gaming beta tests going out, the PlayStation maker is seemingly doubling down on its hopes for the technology.
Following the PlayStation CEO's comments on aggressive cloud gaming plans, the company has now confirmed that 4K cloud gaming public beta tests have begun rolling out for the PS5. While Sony is yet to state the specifics of the beta publicly, some gamers claim that it offers options between 720p, 1080, 1440p, and 2160p (4K) resolutions. At the moment, it's unclear if Sony's 4K refers to the rendering resolution or the streaming resolution. Either way, games would automatically load previous cloud saves which means players can simply pick up from the get-go. As per ArashiGames on ResetEra, existing cloud-streaming PS5 titles include God of War: Ragnarok, Horizon Forbidden West, Fortnite, Fall Guys, Destiny 2, Returnal, Demon's Souls, Death Stranding, Sackboy A Big Adventure, and Destruction All Stars.
The company is yet to comment on the possibility of extending these cloud gaming capabilities to the upcoming Sony Q handheld. The PlayStation maker has been working on the Sony Q handheld since 2015 until its official reveal earlier this year as a streaming platform for PS5 games.
Interestingly, Sony's cloud gaming push comes at a time when its rival Microsoft faces regulatory push over its pending $68.7 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition. Back in April, the CMA went on to block Microsoft's Activision deal, specifying its concerns about the Xbox maker potentially dominating cloud gaming. Of course, the dust has seemingly settled since then with Sony even signing a 10-year Call of Duty deal with Microsoft. Now, with Sony getting serious about cloud gaming, it will be interesting to see how the space will play out in the near future.
Source: ResetEra
