PlayStation Portal Enhances Cloud Streaming with Beta Updates, Adds Gameplay Capture

Sony is enhancing the experience for PlayStation Portal users with a new update to its Cloud Streaming Beta, set to roll out later today. This update brings several user experience and functionality enhancements to the remote play system's cloud capabilities.

One of the key features being introduced is the ability to sort games within the Cloud Streaming Beta catalog. Users 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 significant addition is the ability to capture gameplay during a Cloud Streaming session. Players can access the create menu to take screenshots or record video clips, with support for video clips up to 1920x1080 resolution and a maximum duration of three minutes, as detailed in the PlayStation blog.

Additionally, gameplay will now pause under certain conditions, such as when you open the PS Portal quick menu, enter rest mode using the power button, or if a system error message appears. However, the pause feature in rest mode is limited to 15 seconds; if the Portal stays in rest mode beyond this time, the cloud streaming session will disconnect. It's worth noting that the pause feature will not be available during online multiplayer sessions.

Other updates include a queue system for when the streaming server reaches capacity, notifications for inactivity, and tools for user feedback. Sony has expressed its commitment to continuously refine and expand the feature set based on user input.

The Cloud Streaming Beta is exclusively available to PlayStation Plus Premium members, enabling 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 it appears Sony is dedicated to further developing this functionality.

As cloud streaming becomes increasingly integral to the gaming landscape, it will be fascinating to observe how Sony's service evolves in tandem with the PlayStation Portal. At the very least, the ability to capture numerous screenshots during streaming sessions adds a delightful layer of engagement for users.