As of yesterday, Sony has launched the PC version of their PlayStation Now client for Windows 7, 8.1, and 10. This service allows a catalog of PlayStation 3-era titles (which includes remakes from their previous consoles) to be streamed, in a way similar to OnLive. While the US and Canada are both supported, it's difficult to tell the other regions that it is available in, at least from Sony's official sources.
One caveat is that the service requires the DUALSHOCK 4 controller (and their upcoming, official wireless adapter if you aren't happy with USB cables). From an openness standpoint, this isn't really much better than the console, and actually worse if a far-future title becomes exclusive to it; you can't emulate software that can only be remotely accessed, but that's okay as long as you go in with those expectations. Games can be added and removed from the service with zero recourse, which means that you can lose content that has intrinsic value, especially if it's controversial. On the other hand, it allows you to experience games that you otherwise couldn't, because they were already locked into a platform. On the other-other hand, you're perpetuating that by supporting the platform, but that's your decision to make.
I'll stop that infinite loop here.
All of that aside, the service offers a seven day trial. One month is $19.99 USD, which adds to about $240 each year, while 12 months pre-paid is $99.99 USD.
Does this support Mouse and
Does this support Mouse and KB?
For games? Apparently not.
For games? Apparently not. Just the DUALSHOCK 4 controller.
I haven't tried it myself, though, at least not yet. I probably should have mentioned that "a free, seven day trial" that requires a controller isn't exactly risk-free, now that I think of it.
According to Sony’s website,
According to Sony’s website, no:
Of course, it’s possible someone has developed a workaround but it’s not supported by Sony.
In the infamous words of Adam
In the infamous words of Adam Jensen: “I never asked for this.”
$100 a year or 20 a month for the ability to play streamed PS3 and under titles without any PC “features” such as resolution or unlocked frame rates, AND the only input that can be used is a DS4 controller, sign me up and break out the lube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WwqXHo4v8k
loo loo loo, LOO LOO LOO go the masses.
Although I like the idea of
Although I like the idea of something like this, the fact that it’s streaming makes it completely useless to me.
I don’t even come close to having the bandwidth for game streaming. I can ignore choppiness and jitters in movies, but not in games not so much.
“AND the only input that can
“AND the only input that can be used is a DS4 controller” This is false, I am using it right now with a generic Xbox 360 pad.
Ah really? Huh. I’ll check
Ah really? Huh. I'll check this out when I get a chance, then.
The DS4 requirement makes
The DS4 requirement makes sense: I can’t think of any other controllers that contain a touchpad, so any games that assume that will be present (because they’re PS4 games, so they must assume a DS4 is present) will have inaccessible functions if it is not present. Even if some games on PSN Now do not require touchpad use for gameplay, it would be a usability nightmare to try and explain to an end user “yes, you can play some of these games with your 360/XB1 pad (but the button prompts in-game will all be incorrect), but to play these others you need to buy a new pad” rather than just a blanket “you need a DS4 to play PS4 games”.
They’re PS3 games and
They’re PS3 games and earlier. The touchpad shouldn’t be necessary.
Great way to try some
Great way to try some exclusives like Killzone 3 and Uncharted 1-3.
PROS: do not need expensive
PROS: do not need expensive hardware
CONS: need high bandwidth connection, and latency will still be an issue
Other:
Weird cost structure. $240 if you go on subscription, but $100 pre-paid?
If you ALREADY had a high-speed network and do NOT have a PS that supports a game you want to play it may make sense.
However, high bandwidth is expensive. It would make no sense to pay extra just for this since the savings could buy a console and games which run better locally.
I was quite interested when I
I was quite interested when I first heard about this – several of my console buddies brag about some of the games on PS4, namely the Uncharted series and the Last of Us.
But when I started seeing the details ($45 controller, 5Mbps internet connection, $20/month to “stream” the game not own it), I became more reluctant. Even if I went with the $100/year option, I would basically have to drop all my other games and focus on just playing Sony for a year so I could plow through the 4-6 games I want to play. And most of these are years old and should be $10-20 games retail (you can get Uncharted 1-3 for $40 new).
$145, plus a possible upgrade in my network connection (luckily, I’m good but many people will not be), just so I can start a timer to pressure me to play these games…? The deal has become far less appealing.
Not just that but an inferior
Not just that but an inferior version of the game, streaming is still laggy. An as erik kain of forbes showed when he tested it, its buggy as hell. Games crash enough on consoles these days, imagine getting through a tough portion just to have the stream glitch….
Very expensive second rate experience based on the artificial walls they have erected against ports. Paying for this is essentially rewarding exclusives and second rate consumer experience.
So just vote no.
This is really the only way,
This is really the only way, without buying the console, that i can play PS Exclusives like The Last of US and Flower. I tested it yesterday and although there is some latency, and aiming a crosshair with a controller is a nightmare, it was still a pleasant experience.
I get that it is a matter of
I get that it is a matter of convenience and less devices to potentially be clutter. But, in the long run, having the console will be a better experience because the games will play natively(no added latency) and you aren’t streaming/renting them, you would own the disc the game comes on.
But in my case, there are just so many good games out there on PC that I won’t miss or even think about console exclusives.