Sony is rolling out a new update for PlayStation Portal users who are using its Cloud Streaming Beta, bringing enhancements to the user experience and general functionality of the remote play system's cloud capabilities. This update, set to launch later today, introduces several key features that promise to improve the way players interact with the Cloud Streaming Beta catalog.
One 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 based on which titles were most recently added to PlayStation Plus. This sorting feature will help users navigate the catalog more efficiently and find their preferred games with ease.
Another exciting update is the introduction of gameplay capture during Cloud Streaming sessions. Users can access the usual create menu options to take screenshots or record video clips. According to the PlayStation blog, video clips can be captured at up to 1920x1080 resolution and last up to three minutes, giving players ample opportunity to capture and share their favorite moments.
Gameplay will now pause under certain conditions, such as when you open the PS Portal quick menu, enter rest mode using the power button, or if a system error message appears. However, the rest mode pause is limited to 15 seconds; if the Portal remains in rest mode longer than that, the cloud streaming session will disconnect. It's worth noting that this pause feature will not be supported in online multiplayer sessions.Additional updates include a queue system for when the streaming server reaches capacity, notifications for inactivity, and tools for user feedback. Sony has expressed its commitment to continue adding new features based on the feedback received from users.
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 appears that Sony is dedicated to further refining this feature over time.
As cloud streaming becomes increasingly integral to the modern gaming ecosystem, it will be fascinating to watch how Sony's offerings evolve in tandem with the PlayStation Portal. At the very least, the ability to capture numerous screenshots while streaming to your Portal adds a fun and engaging dimension to the gaming experience.
