Sony prepares its data centers for PS5 streaming

Sony has announced that members of its Playstation Plus Premium subscription, which costs around 120 euros annually, will soon be able to stream PS5 games. The announcement was made on the company’s company blog, though no exact date was given for when the features will be widely available.

Cloud gaming expansion

So far, Sony has offered cloud gaming for games developed for the Playstation 3 and 4, as well as some older titles. To support PS5, Sony needs to install PS5-compatible hardware in its data centers. This has probably not been possible so far due to supply shortages for components. However, the situation has eased in recent months, and the PS5 is available in many stores.

Competition and new developments

Microsoft has already taken a similar step, moving its platform to blades with 4K-capable hardware like that used in the Xbox Series X in October 2021. This gave Microsoft a big head start in cloud gaming.

Sony also announced the handheld Project Q in May 2023, which is meant for local game streaming from its own Playstation 5. However, it was not explicitly stated that it is exclusively for that purpose. So, theoretically, it could be possible for Plus Premium subscribers to play without a nearby Playstation 5, for example via a fast hotel WLAN on vacation. More information about Project Q is expected to be released in the coming months.

Conclusion

With the announcement of upgrading its data centers for PS5 streaming, Sony shows its commitment to the advancement of cloud gaming. The ability to stream PS5 games will greatly enhance the gaming experience for Playstation Plus Premium subscribers and give Sony a competitive edge in the gaming industry. It remains to be seen how these developments will impact the gaming landscape.