Earlier this year Sony unveiled PlayStation Now, a cloud-based game streaming service, which will stream games to PS3, PS4, PS Vita and the PlayStation TV, apart from compatible Sony Bravia televisions. Since we saw it the first time a closed beta has been operating on the PS3, streaming games compatible with the console over the internet. AT E3 2014 Sony finally announced the PlayStation Now pricing as well as additional details. The service goes into open beta on PlayStation 4 come July 31st in North America.
The open beta will first be launched for the PS4 before being expanded to PS3, PS Vita and the PlayStation TV in subsequent months. Sony hasn’t said which titles will be available when the open beta launches but it does say that over 100 games will be ready for streaming from both third party and first party developers.
There has been a lot of confusion around PlayStation Now pricing will work. The company says that its looking into subscription models, but in the meantime it will charge between $2.99 and $19.99 for game rentals depending upon the duration. Sony will have to justify charging as much as $20 for a game that users won’t ultimately own, it won’t be like buying a digital download, the company also adds that publishers and developers will have the final say about the price points for their games.
The July 31st open beta launch on PS4 is limited to North America. Sony has confirmed that it is working on bringing the subscription service to Japan and Europe as well.
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