Can PlayStation Now, link the past present and future?
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By Matthew Taylor
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Sony may have finally played their trump card. The Japanese company announced PlayStation Now at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, which would allow games to be streamed directly to Sony’s PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, followed by the PS Vita. The company also plan to extend the service to other Sony products, and eventually to smartphones and tablets.
During the PlayStation 4 announcement at E3 2013, the head of Gaikai Inc. Dave Perry briefly spoke about the PS4’s lack of backwards compatibility out of the box, with plans to use an alternative streaming system to allow older games to run on the new console. Until now Sony have kept exactly what they plan on doing under wraps, but with the announcement of PlayStation Now we finally see how they aim to achieve their “everything everywhere” goal.
During the PlayStation 4 announcement at E3 2013, the head of Gaikai Inc. Dave Perry briefly spoke about the PS4’s lack of backwards compatibility out of the box, with plans to use an alternative streaming system to allow older games to run on the new console. Until now Sony have kept exactly what they plan on doing under wraps, but with the announcement of PlayStation Now we finally see how they aim to achieve their “everything everywhere” goal.
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In August of 2012 Sony purchased Gaikai Inc. for approximately 380 million U.S. Dollars. Founded in 2008, Gaikai had gained interest from a number of investors and partners with its cloud computing system, which streamed an interactive, high-end gaming experience without the need of an expensive gaming computer or console. By remotely handling game rendering and processing, games like Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare were able to be run via a simple Flash player. It was no secret that Sony planned to implement the world leading technology and services that Gaikai had developed into the PlayStation family, with the official press release stating: |
“By combining Gaikai’s resources including its technological strength and engineering talent with SCE’s extensive game platform knowledge and experience, SCE will provide users with unparalleled cloud entertainment experiences. SCE will deliver a world-class cloud-streaming service that allows users to instantly enjoy a broad array of content ranging from immersive core games with rich graphics to casual content anytime, anywhere on a variety of internet- connected devices.”
Andrew House, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
With yesterday’s announcement Sony may have out manoeuvred Microsoft in a single step. Not only will PlayStation 4 users have access to a back catalogue stretching all the way to the original Sony PlayStation, but access via Sony’s Bravia televisions and other devices will open PlayStation Now up to what may be the largest theoretical gaming audience ever. PlayStation Now could be bigger than Steam.
Backwards Compatibility is a relatively new discussion in the gaming world. Only a number of consoles have supported the ability to play previous generation titles from the start. The Atari 7800 and the PlayStation 2 got the conversation started, but with PlayStation Now, Sony may very well have the final word.
Backwards Compatibility is a relatively new discussion in the gaming world. Only a number of consoles have supported the ability to play previous generation titles from the start. The Atari 7800 and the PlayStation 2 got the conversation started, but with PlayStation Now, Sony may very well have the final word.
