Consoles? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Consoles
by Susan, HSM team writer
For the longest time I have been advocating the wishlist idea of having games that can be played via a common junction point: in other words, we would have a single electronic device that allows us to play a large selection of games from different platforms. In the future, I would just turn on a monitor, grab a controller and make a decision if I wanted to play Forza or Gran Turismo. Since I had purchased an “online universal gaming subscription,” I could select from Sony to Microsoft based platforms, or to whomever I choose, with a press of a button or by voice activation. Think of it like Steam on steroids.
Right now, that might be a pipe dream — however, this week, Sony brought it one step closer when they announced at the Consumer Electronics Show that they will be releasing to the world a cloud-based project called PlayStation Now. Working off technology leveraged from the purchase of Gaikai, a key player in the cloud-based gaming arena which included OnLive, GameStop and NVIDIA GRID, the application was designed to bring together popular and classic games of older PlayStations to the PS4 as well as the Vita. Non-PlayStation devices that are able to connect to the internet such as your smartphones, tablets and smart HDTVs will now have access to PlayStation Now. Your files will be saved using the cloud and will move with you to any PlayStation Now supported and enabled device.
“PS Now will allow users to engage in the world of PlayStation, whether they’re existing fans or have never owned a PlayStation platform,” said SCE president and group CEO Andrew House. PlayStation Now will support several PlayStation Network features, including its trophies and message system, as well as online multiplayer functionality.Testing has already begun and a closed beta is starting at the end of this month. CES attendees are getting a chance to experience it on Sony Bravia TVs and tablets by playing four different titles, including the award-winning game The Last of Us – and a full release of the subscription/rental based system is expected sometime in the US around the middle of this year. No pricing of fees or game titles have been announced yet, but Sony has said they will be in the decent range. Sony has said nothing of its release to the rest of the world but did hint that Europe is in for a wait.
What does that mean for the gaming consumer, or for the industry as a whole? For the consumer, one thing they will benefit from is not having to own multiple gaming consoles spreading across several generations. Now you can create a new pile of clutter of devices and use them to hop around a menu of games that require no downloads or swapping out of any Blu-Ray discs. They recommend a connection speed of 5 Mbps+ for optimum use, but can adjust gameplay as needed. The first wave will include the PS3 and PS4 owners, followed by the Vita and Sony’s 2014 BRAVIA TV’s. Later on, other internet based devices such as smartphones will have access to PlayStation Now. Given Sony’s love for Android, one could envision it becoming available on that platform. Buy an Xperia device now, I’m tell you.
For some of the brick and mortar retailers out there, Sony’s statement is already beginning to have an effect, as video game retailer GameStop shares plummeted immediately following the announcement. With its huge inventory of disc-based games, it is unclear as to where this is going to leave them — and with gaming progressing more toward online and streaming models, GameStop might soon become the Blockbuster of the gaming industry. Its stock value fell over eight percent at the close of business at the New York Stock Exchange as people considered a future without physical CDs and a visit to the local game store. They might be able to stay afloat by selling XBox and Wii disc-based games and the associated gaming necessities: controllers, headsets and such.
As an obsessive PlayStation Home user, though, I’m not sure how this affects me. I just don’t see being able to access Home through the use of this application. I don’t know how one would interact or move around Home using a PS Vita or mobile device, but I could see logging onto Home via a Sony BRAVIA TV using a DualShock 3 controller. As for the gaming side, I think this is a great idea and I can’t wait to try it out. Do I think some profits will be lost for retailers who have been selling disc based games? Sure. But I believe people will still continue to buy games in disc form for several years to come. As wonderful as the cloud is, and as sunny as an all-cloudy future looks, there’s still something to be said for a tangible disc that can be played offline.
January 9th, 2014 by Susan | 3 comments
Susan is a team writer for HomeStation Magazine, co-founder of the award winning media group-AvatardProductions, a PlayStation MVP and a Home Guide. PSNID SCEA/xx96791DEATHxx-SCEE/oXx_EnIgMa_xXo. An avid PlayStation Home user, she is most often found setting land speed records at the Sodium 2 velocity racetracks, sitting at the Pier Park or playing with the R/C vehicles at Acorn Meadows Park.
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Hmm, 5mbps? When I watched the keynote video I coulda SWORN they said 20mbps. It’s what made me realize that A) I won’t be able to use it when it eventually does come to the EU and B) How tragically behind the curve the UK still is. From what I can tell, the majority of just the UK is still at around a general speed of 4 to 10mbps. Pretty pathetic for a “1st world” country, but consider this against other parts of Europe and you can see exactly why Sony are releasing this first in the US; general standards.
Large parts of London do have fibre so it WILL work down there, probably. Yet contrast that against the rest of the country and Sony are gonna struggle to convince us to pay subscription for it. Quite a problem since the UK’s highest ever record-breaking console sales (ever, like, ever ever!) title has just been taken by the PS4. Sadly, we need our government to take responsibility to fix this, and since they’re STILL busy charging the elderly stupid amounts of money just to freeze to death in their own homes, I don’t really hold out much hope. It’s a really neat idea though.
Oops! Edit: That 20mbps thing was from the 4K TV service they were talking about, NOT Playstation Now.
We have 5Mbps+ here in Hawaii which is another reason this caught my attention. I am excited to see when this begins working on a Samsung HDTV since I am a Merchandising Rep for that company and even though we own all Sony Bravia TVs. I don’t know what this year will bring the PS Nation but I am getting finacially prepared for the next Christmas season.