CES: Sony Unveils Its Game Streaming Service

Sony used this year’s CES to unveil something it has been skimpy on the details about until now – its gamestreaming service.

Back in July 2012, Sony acquired the cloud-powered gaming infrastructure service Gaikai. In the lead up to the launch of the PlayStation 4, it made hints at what it planned for the service.

Now it has solidified them to some extent. Going by the moniker ‘PlayStation Now,’ the service will stream a back catalogue of games over the internet to PS4s, PS3s, PS Vitas, Sony Bravia television sets, and eventually compatible smartphones and tablets.

Essentially this means later this year you could play great PS3 games like “The Last of Us,” “Uncharted 2,” “Journey” and “Infamous” on either your PS4 at home, your PS Vita on the road, or on a console-less Sony Bravia TV. Further down the road you may also be able to play PS2 & PS3 games on your iPad or Android Phone.

Sony did not provide pricing informatin at the presentation, but it’s likely consumers will be able to rent/buy games one at a time or follow a Netflix-style subscription model with a monthly fee for access to a huge library.

The games will stream at 720p, and require an internet connection with a minimum 5Mbps speed.

A closed beta of PlayStation Now begins in the U.S. at the end of this month followed by a full rollout this summer. At first only PS3 games will feature, but older PS1 & PS2 titles are expected in the future.

via CES: Sony Unveils Its Game Streaming Service | News | Dark Horizons.