Sony is enhancing the PlayStation Portal experience for users of its Cloud Streaming Beta with a new update rolling out today. This update introduces several improvements to the remote play system's cloud capabilities, focusing on user experience and general functionality.
A significant addition is the ability to sort games within the Cloud Streaming Beta catalog. Players can now organize their games by Name, Release Date, or according to the most recent additions to PlayStation Plus, making it easier to navigate the catalog and find the games they want to play.
Another exciting feature is the ability to capture gameplay during a Cloud Streaming session. Users can access the create menu to take screenshots or record video clips, with Sony supporting video clips up to 1920x1080 resolution and up to three minutes in duration, as mentioned in the PlayStation blog.
Additionally, gameplay will pause automatically when you open the PS Portal quick menu, enter rest mode using the power button, or if a system error message appears. However, the pause in rest mode is limited to 15 seconds; if the Portal stays in rest mode longer, the cloud streaming session will disconnect. It's worth noting that pausing is not supported in online multiplayer games.
Other enhancements include a queue system for when the streaming server reaches capacity, notifications for user inactivity, and tools for providing user feedback. Sony has emphasized that it will continue to refine and expand the features based on user input.
The Cloud Streaming Beta remains exclusive to PlayStation Plus Premium members, allowing them to stream select PS5 games from the PS Plus Catalog directly on the PS Portal. Last year's update transformed the Portal into a more standalone cloud streaming device, and it seems Sony is committed to further developing this feature.
As cloud streaming becomes increasingly integral to the gaming ecosystem, it will be fascinating to see how Sony's offerings evolve with the PlayStation Portal. For now, the ability to capture numerous screenshots while streaming to the Portal is a welcome addition for players.
