Sony is rolling out a new update for PlayStation Portal users engaged in its Cloud Streaming Beta, introducing several enhancements to the user experience and general functionality of the remote play system's cloud capabilities. This update, set to be available later today, brings significant improvements to the platform.
A key feature in this 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 which titles were most recently added to PlayStation Plus, making it easier to navigate through the available options.
Another exciting addition is the capability to capture gameplay during a Cloud Streaming session. Users can access the familiar create menu to snap screenshots or record video clips. According to the PlayStation blog, video clips can be recorded at a resolution of up to 1920x1080 and can last up to three minutes, providing ample opportunity to capture those memorable gaming moments.
Gameplay will now pause automatically when you open the PS Portal quick menu, enter rest mode using the power button, or if a system error message appears. However, note that the rest mode pause is limited to 15 seconds; if the Portal remains in rest mode beyond this timeframe, the cloud streaming session will disconnect. This pause feature does not apply to online multiplayer sessions.Additional updates include a queue system for when the streaming server reaches capacity, notifications for inactivity, and new user feedback tools. Sony has expressed its commitment to continuously refining the platform based on user input.
Currently, the Cloud Streaming Beta is exclusive to PlayStation Plus Premium members, allowing them to enjoy select PS5 games from the PS Plus Catalog through cloud streaming on the PS Portal. Last year's update transformed the Portal into more of a standalone cloud streaming device, and it appears Sony intends to keep enhancing this feature over time.
As cloud streaming becomes increasingly integral to the modern gaming ecosystem, it will be fascinating to observe how Sony's service evolves in conjunction with the PlayStation Portal. At the very least, the ability to capture numerous screenshots while streaming to your Portal is a welcome addition.
