PS5 Cloud Streaming Goes Live for Some PS Plus Premium Members

Sony has started beta testing its PS5 cloud streaming with select PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers. Users on Reddit and ResetEra have shared the email invite from Sony as well some technical details about how the PS5 cloud streaming works (via Eurogamer).

“As a PlayStation Plus Premium member, in addition to helping test our PS5 Public Beta, you’ve been selected to try out the new PS5 cloud streaming feature that’s coming soon to PlayStation 5 and PS Plus Premium,” the invite email reads. Sony’s PS Plus Premium service already lets gamers stream a selection of PS1, PS2, and PS3, and PSP games, and Sony announced back in June that it was testing PS5 cloud streaming internally.

According to what the first beta testers have shared, PS5 cloud streaming supports up to 4K resolution, matching what the late Google Stadia used to offer. In comparison, Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming is currently restricted to 1080p quality.

“Our goal is to add this as an additional benefit to PlayStation Plus Premium as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the value of PlayStation Plus,” Sony said when it announced that it was testing PS5 game streaming internally. PlayStation Plus Premium is currently priced at $17.99/€16.99/£13.49 per month, and it also provides access to hundreds of PS4 and PS5 games, as well as time-limited game trials.

Sony’s game streaming technology is currently available on PS5, PS4, and PC. However, it doesn’t really get the same level of attention as Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming service, which recently made its way to recent Samsung smart TVs and monitors.

Unlike Sony, Microsoft makes its new first-party games available on day one on Xbox Cloud Gaming, which requires an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Sony isn’t going to do that anytime soon as the company doesn’t want to cannibalize sales for its PlayStation-exclusive games.