Sony is rolling out an exciting new update for PlayStation Portal users participating in its Cloud Streaming Beta. This update, arriving later today, brings several user experience and functionality enhancements to the remote play system's cloud capabilities.
A key feature of this update is the introduction of sorting options within the Cloud Streaming Beta catalog. Players can now sort games by Name, Release Date, and those most recently added to PlayStation Plus, making it easier to navigate and find the games they want to play.
Another significant addition is the ability to capture gameplay during Cloud Streaming sessions. Users can access the familiar create menu to take screenshots or record video clips. According to the PlayStation blog, video clips can be captured at a resolution of up to 1920x1080 and can last up to three minutes.
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, the rest mode pause is limited to 15 seconds; if the Portal stays in rest mode longer, the cloud streaming session will disconnect. It's worth noting that pause functionality is not supported in online multiplayer games.Additional updates include a queue system for when the streaming server reaches capacity, notifications for inactivity, and tools for user feedback. Sony has emphasized that it will continue to refine and expand the features of the Cloud Streaming Beta based on user input.
Currently, the Cloud Streaming Beta is exclusive 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 a more standalone cloud streaming device, and it appears Sony is committed to further developing this feature.
As cloud streaming becomes increasingly integral to the gaming landscape, it will be fascinating to watch how Sony's service evolves in conjunction with the PlayStation Portal. For now, the ability to capture numerous screenshots during streaming sessions is a welcome addition for users.
