Sony is set to enhance the PlayStation Portal experience for users engaged in its Cloud Streaming Beta with a new update rolling out later today. This update introduces several user experience and functionality improvements to the remote play system's cloud capabilities.
A key feature of the update 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 the most recent additions to PlayStation Plus, making it easier to navigate and find their preferred titles.
Another significant addition is the ability to capture gameplay during a Cloud Streaming session. Users can access the familiar create menu to take screenshots or record video clips, with Sony supporting video clips up to 1920x1080 resolution and up to three minutes in duration.
Gameplay will also pause automatically under certain conditions, such as when the PS Portal quick menu is opened, when entering rest mode via the power button, or if a system error message appears. However, the pause in rest mode is limited to 15 seconds; if the Portal stays in rest mode beyond this time, the cloud streaming session will disconnect. Note that this pause feature does not apply to online multiplayer sessions.
Further enhancements include a queue system for when the streaming server reaches capacity, notifications for user inactivity, and new user feedback tools. Sony has committed to continually refining and expanding the features of the Cloud Streaming Beta based on user input.
Currently, the Cloud Streaming Beta is exclusively available 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 more of a standalone cloud streaming device, and Sony appears dedicated to further developing this functionality.
As cloud streaming becomes increasingly integral to the gaming landscape, it will be fascinating to see how Sony's offerings evolve in conjunction with the PlayStation Portal. For now, the ability to capture numerous screenshots while streaming to the Portal adds a delightful layer of convenience for users.
