As we announced back at CES, PlayStation Now (PS Now) is the first-ever game streaming service available on a game console, where you can quickly access a rich and expanding library of PlayStation 3 (PS3) games from our cloud servers. Since January, PS Now has been in Private Beta for select gamers across the country, and I’m happy to announce that the Open Beta will be available to all PlayStation 4 (PS4) owners in the U.S. and Canada starting tomorrow.
As part of this Open Beta, PS4 users will see PS Now titles fully integrated into PlayStation Store, available to be streamed for various rental durations. Check out the video walkthrough of how it all works:
During the PS Now Open Beta, PS4 users will see a diverse library of more than 100 titles to rent, with more added regularly. PS Now will offer a variety of rental periods depending on the game, including 7-days, 30-days or 90-days, as well as a short 4-hour duration, so players can sample the experience first.
With a strong and stable broadband connection, visual and gameplay quality will be much like what you’re used to with other PS3 games. PS Now will also feature cloud game saves, as well as support for other popular network features such as Trophies, friend lists and leaderboards. You can also play seamlessly online with other people on PS Now, or even players who have the downloadable or disc based version of the game. As you know, the PS3 catalog of games is massive and incredibly diverse, and we’re thrilled to make these epic experiences available to PS4 first, followed by our other PlayStation platforms in the coming months.
Since we’re still in Beta, and in the very early days of PS Now, we plan to continue to collect feedback during this Open Beta phase to make further refinements to the service, so please provide us feedback once you’ve experienced the service.
We want to thank those that have been participating in the PS Now Private Beta for their time, dedication and valuable feedback, which have helped us continue to shape the service.
You will immediately see a clear breakdown of what’s included with game rentals, so it’s easier to tell what content you’re getting with your rental, especially since several games offered through PS Now include DLC that increase the value of the offering. Also, in a few weeks, you will start seeing reduced pricing on some 4-hour rentals which will appear at $1.99.
In addition, we’ve heard you loud and clear for an update on a PS Now subscription option and want to reassure you that we are working on it. We think PS Now represents the next step toward the future of gaming and we’re excited to have the PlayStation Nation come along with us on the beginning of this journey.
No surround sound… all stereo… :-/
Hello,
I was really looking forward to this service after it was announce on E3 2013.
I was shocked when I found out that you are actually renting the games for a short period of time. Moreover they were crazy expensive for old PS3 games that I can just buy cheaper in any store and have an actual physical copy that I can trade in later on or keep forever!
What was more annoying is the fact that the on the “beta” in order to try out the service you HAVE TO pay money for it! I mean I’ve never seen any beta where you have to pay to try it out and pay to give feedback. Sorry but that’s ridiculous.
There should’ve been demos for us to try out. We’re not going to pay for a beta tryout. Or at least have trials like on the PS Plus.
I hope on the final version of the service there will be a subscription. Where we’d have to pay around $60 a year to get access to some of these games or let’s say get to choose like two games a month or something like that. I mean having to pay to rent a game online is out of the question for me especially if the game is from a previous generation.
This model for *digital* rental is WAY OVER PRICED!! Get it through your thick skulls Sony.
Was looking forward to this since I got my first Playstation 3 last November and I know I missed out on some good games was going to play them on PS4 but this pricing scheme is not catered towards a consumer but rather what a publisher wants to charge for its titles. Please adjust your prices and plans. I have also noticed the rentals are priced differently which this should not be at all. It should be all same price no matter what DLC the game has, how old or popular the game is. EQUAL PRICING FOR ALL!
4 hour plan is not needed at all. The only people t hat would want to use this is for a quick review of a game before purchasing. The demos on Playstation + already get this done.
it should be something along these lines:
7 days = $4.99 USD
14 days = $9.99 USD
21 days = $14.99 USD
30 day subscription = $19.99 – $22.99 USD
Free streaming for games already purchased through PSN
One last note there is no streaming video game service on your platform and that is OK but there are places in North America that does physical copy game rentals that are subscription based please keep this in mind.
Okay I just took a look at everything PlayStation now has to offer I found a few problems. 1: is they want way to much for old games 2: Can you just rent for the 4 hours and then upgrade to 7 day or 30 day if not wtf are you thinking. 3: I hope they end up putting actual exclusives on here from PS Backlog of games 4: Why is their not a free trial of ps now at least for plus subscribers I mean at least one 4 hour trial
as an “adult gamer” i cant see any value in this service. i was very very excited about it when i heard about it, but honestly i can not see paying $49.99 for 90 day rental of a year old game from a dated system. i read the post about you guys lowering the price to $1.99 for some rentals and im certain that will be for a 4 hour rental of not so great game (still not worth it in my opinion). i can honestly say that at these prices i am not even interested in trying the service. it is a great idea and i love the fact that you are moving in such an innovative direction with a service such as this!!! however, once again… i see no value as a consumer with this, especially being an adult with a car and a gamestop 15 minutes from my house where i can buy the games you are offering to “rent” to me for significantly less. if you come up with a subscription based service i may be willing to give that a try.
I think PS Now could actually take cues from Amazon’s recently launched “Kindle Unlimited” service to create a service more fair than what is being proposed via the beta. Essentially, we should be able to pay $x.xx per month in order to have access to the entire library of PS Now games. A great way to balance this service would be to introduce a check-out and check-in system like Kindle Unlimited. So for example, allow us to check out x number of games at a time to play. When we are done with 1 game, we can check the game back in and check out another. Demos should be for 1 hour and should be free and not count against your check-out limits.
I think this is fair – it’s not the unlimited free-for-all many are asking for because of the check-out and check-in system, but I think this could be better perceived than paying per game. That just seems like a very dated concept. My music, my books and my movies all have a subscription model – games are the next natural step!
Thanks for letting me share my feedback.
#PSPlusfreePSNowtrial
“This pricing scheme, and forcing people to pay again for games they already bought (through PSN, no less!), is one of the most insulting and arrogant move I’ve seen in the gaming industry since quite some time. You said in the past that you were coming with some sort of solution regarding backward compatibility on the PS4. Well, I’m pretty sure no one thought this solution would involve paying again for what they already bought. Seriously, what were you thinking?
However, it’s easily fixable. SO FIX IT.”
4-5 months before PS4′s launch I was *****ing because Sony didn’t want to include backwards compatibility on the console in order to make us pay for this undecent offer. Dozens of geniuses said: “That’s what Gaikai is for” when I asked Sony why wouldn’t they allow me to play my PS3/2 games on PS4 (bought from the PSN store) and that they should at least work on an emulator, if the chip route wasn’t feasible.
I have to laugh at how some people think they should be able to play a game for 4 hours for free. Why would anyone rent longer time periods when they can get “free 4 hour period” to try it out? Everybody and anybody would constantly be playing the free 4 hour free period games and clog the sony server. If you want to try out games, go get PS+ to try out their full game free trials. I don’t think that makes sense from Sony’s standpoint with PS NOW. Sony shouldn’t even make a 4 hour period…. Make a 1 day period for $2 and a 5 day period for $5. That is fair for both sides. Back in the old days of Blockbuster, you would rent a PS1 game for 5 days for like $7. Sony has to remember they are also competing with the used game market from gamestop and ebay.
Sony is on to something here and if they tweak the prices right and put out a nice collection of games…. they may have a “netflix of gaming” success. People should definitely forget about $7.99 for a month of unlimited play from a huge collection of games. That is unrealistic and it would hurt the gaming industry.
I’ve been in the closed beta since it started. Two things:
1. 4 hour rentals are just silly.. I mean, there’s no way anyone is tossing $2-$4 to the wind like that.
2. I am all in if this becomes a subscription based service ala Netflix!
Actually fair prices:
1. $0.25-$0.50 for 1 day
2. $1.5 for a week
3. $3 for a month
3. $5 to own it streamed
for all pre-2014 games
Multiply that by 2 for newer games.
Can u please put God of War Ascension on PS Now like right Now!!!!
I’ve been really excited about trying the new PS Now service, but I wish the open beta also included a few PSN $ credits to at least allow the option to take the service for a test spin with an action game or AAA shooter, rather than requiring you to shell out money up front first ;) I just don’t want to pay money up front, if the streaming service doesn’t end up being all that great (a la no refunds). When I first looked, it showed Matt Hazard listed at $0 rental fee (as well as a couple of other games)… none of them allowed me to rent for free (all had errors) and now all of the few free listings are all gone… :/
Extra note: If the streaming quality is up to par, then I would be more than happy to shell out money for some rentals (although I’d prefer a subscription option if the price is reasonable).
To anyone complaining about this service you must be out of your mind. I can play PS3 game on my PS4, I have no need to buy and set up a PS3. This service is great. Now I do think there should be a ability to purchase the games and Sony should charge a subscription fee to access the ability to play. That way you can keep the game and you have a want to play just renew your subscription.
By the way I played Final Fantasy 13 today, it looks exactly like the PS3 version, incredible! I was playing on wifi. I have a question, will NCAA Football 14 be added to the games? If not can you please add it and some sports games, thank you.
#611 if they want people to actually try out this beta it’d be a good idea and its not like you can play that four hour game over and over again its just one 4 hour game one time and it’d give people an actual way to beta test/stress test the server instead of how most of us are just looking at the pricing of said product and being like “screw it I’m not touching that” without even being able to see how well it works. It Sony actually wanted people to try out the beta they either give one free 4 hour code to people or one free game like people in closed beta/alpha got instead of just opening it up and being like “Here it is give us your money to beta test it.”
One thing Sony needs to realize is that they aren’t making money on most of those games right now because most you can’t buy new unless on the PS3 store. So basically making the price cheaper, they will still be making bank on it because they wouldn’t be making any in the first place. Who is still buying critter crunch??? Who is still buying most of those titles not used when so much more newer stuff is out, used even? This hurts them more than helps them. It promotes used game buying.
If they make a sub model of $100-150 a year that would be understandable… If they add a lot more games that is. $15 a month isn’t bad for consumers and isn’t bad for Sony either, as it is bringing them something that wouldn’t be there in the first place.
@613 Are those prices a joke? Those are way too low to even be considered. You gave me a good laugh, bravo.
Why is it only PS3 games now? What happened to stuff like Crazy Taxi?
I’m disappointed. Early in the closed Beta on PS3 I had such high hopes. I was super impressed by how smooth my games ran even over my not-so-great internet connection, (they ran even better on PS4)
I was also happy that during the PS3 stage, games I already own were listed as available and I could stream them without any hassle.
Now when I sign in those same games want me to pay to stream them when I already own them and most are in fact more expensive than what I paid for them originally.
As a rental service I believe PS Now will fail unless you overhaul the awful pricing structure.
I am aware it’s still in Beta and I know there is plenty of time to turn things around, but right now you are giving a lot of people a bad first impression. If I hadn’t been here since the PS3 beta I’d pass on this without a second thought and I’m sure a lot of other people have already done so.
I also understand streaming costs money, but there has to be some work around to get us our games we’ve already paid for for free. And as many others are stating, it’s much cheaper at this point just to go and buy the game used from Gamestop if you already own a PS3 and those who only have a PS4 would probably rather just buy a PS3.
I love the idea of this service I just think it’s being implemented badly. Make it a subscription, make it part of Plus or whatever you have to do, and if it’s the publishers demanding these ridiculous prices, well, watch and see how they waste their time by putting their stuff up on here.
How about this: a subscription with a very small fee to stream our bought PSN content ($10 a year? not bad) attached to a new PS Plus plan.
I’d get that and any less-than-$5-keep-forever PS2 RPGs.
“This pricing scheme, and forcing people to pay again for games they already bought (through PSN, no less!), is one of the most insulting and arrogant move I’ve seen in the gaming industry since quite some time. You said in the past that you were coming with some sort of solution regarding backward compatibility on the PS4. Well, I’m pretty sure no one thought this solution would involve paying again for what they already bought. Seriously, what were you thinking?
However, it’s easily fixable. SO FIX IT.”
4-5 months before PS4′s launch I was *****ing because Sony didn’t want to include backwards compatibility on the console in order to make us pay for this undecent offer. Dozens of geniuses said: “That’s what Gaikai is for” when I asked Sony why wouldn’t they allow me to play my PS3/2 games on PS4 (bought from the PSN store) and that they should at least work on an emulator, if the chip route wasn’t feasible. Now swallow it up and suffer. Capitalism at it’s best.
Actually fair prices:
1. $0.25-$0.50 for 1 day
2. $1.5 for a week
3. $3 for a month
3. $5 to own it streamed
for all pre-2014 games
Multiply that by 2 for newer games.
These prices are a complete joke. I am wondering, was it your plan to have people see these outrageous prices, so the shock of how much the subscription ends up being wouldn’t seem so bad? Or doesn’t Sony do there market research on digital game prices? The prices are not comparable to STEAM and with STEAM you get to keep your games forever. Almost every negative comment in this thread is correct and you guys should listen. Also, is NOW going to always be in beta like Home was so that you can use that excuse for it not being a success? How about you guys start with a smaller step forward like supporting the Vita because clearly you are not ready for anything bigger than that.
The way everything is set up, NOW only benefits a very small amount of people who only own a PS4. If that.
Gave PS Now a try, rented F1 for 7 days today and regret it. Latency was pretty bad even though my connection was tested FOUR TIMES throughout the renting process and was said to be good enough to enjoy the service. Not a big fan of the pricing, I probably won’t be utilizing this feature until there’s a subscription service.
The pricing model for Zone of Enders HD Collection is hysterical.
4 Hours – $5, 7 Days – $10, 30 Days – $20, 90 Days – $25
New from Amazon with free shipping – $12.99
Losing interest in Zone of Enders HD Collection – Priceless
any word on purchasing these games instead of just renting?
Wish there could be a option to buy the games although that would be pretty pointless I guess. Would like to see a subscription deal like Netflix. I would also like it if the 4 hour demos could be free. 3$ is way over priced. Id rather just fire up my ps3s and go buy the games used to play. Renting has never been my style since I like to play various games all the time instead of just one. So a low priced subscription service, or a buy game feature would be really great!
I do see PlayStation Now turned Self destruction with their mess! I do see Onlive is best option for me because I able to link my Steam account that way I can play games that I already OWN than buy again. But this this this really bull-shiot! They has no brainier to give gamer community best deal that we already own, but want us to buy again?!? well bad news NO THANKS! I will stick with it my disc that I already own. You give special treatment to your home country Japan that they get discount when transferred psp games to vita. You don’t give “fair”. Now you are fail us.
I used to be your fan, now you shown your true color that you turn greed over this over-priced and no awesome deals. I am happy Onlive is my top option to play.
I will urge to Square-Enix to come to PC instead this!
sorry with my grammar, my English is not my first. I speak as sign language (ASL).
Kupo!
I don’t recommend you to use PlayStation all they want rip you off, and laugh at your stupidity.
I was really hoping Playstation Now would be the answer to backwards compatibility for PS4 but it doesn’t appear to be the case. Why can’t the service recognize what games I own on my PSN account and allow me to play those for free ? It would totally get me to purchase more games for PS3 if I knew they were available on Now and I could play them on my PS4.
You should really rethink these prices, Sony. They got a bid better, but many games are literally cheaper to buy used/new. That makes zeros sense from a marketing standpoint.
Out of the gate I’m a little disappointed with the beta. The title available are lack luster to say the least, with the exception of a few gems. Pricing is downright bad. C’mon guys nobody is going to pay that t rent games when we can just go to gamestop and pick the same game up to own for the same price or less. Subscription is what we’re all wanting. Personally I wouldn’t mind paying $15-20 a month. I would also like to see something happen with playstation plus for the service as well.
1. Better games
2. Subscription over rentals
3. Possible ps+ cross over/discount
Why can’t we purchase the games cuz I enjoy owning them and I would prefer not to have to keep renting the same game
They should have just implemented backwards compatibility instead of all this mess. Sorry, but I won’t be supporting this because it’s just the result of more greedy people looking for an extra buck.
looks like im not buying a ps4 at all now.
I`m 34 and i now own a ps1 ps2 ps3 psp and a 3ds and i might get vita TV i might.
I was thinking maybe 2 3 years later ill get a ps4 but now i think ill pass. i`ll have to watch videos on youtube for the ps4 games.its for the best im poor after all.
Everybody in this blog needs to calm down and stop complaining just because you want the cheapest prices possible. While your at it why don’t all you complainers complain about the 60 dollar price for a new game? Both complaints are unecessary and silly hopes. Sony is a business. They will lose money and not be able to make ps4 even better if the lower the ps now prices a lot. Also complain to the companies that signed deals with sony that allows sony to use the prices for each rental. Maybe that company chose the price and Sony.
@641 You don’t have a job any bills to worry about do you? Most of the complaints are legit.
*or
Sorry about the typo.
$1.99 for a 4 hr demo period? uh… no!
would like to see the inclusion of the plus games for the month for a 30 day window for free.
Why should i rent for hours or days , when GAME FLY have all titles for a subscription payment.
I think u guys have to go like GAME FLY if u want to succeed.
Pfft, There’s no way I’d pay these kind of prices. Like others have said, make it a decent yearly subscription and we’ll talk.
This isn’t even remotely close to a good value… Why would I pay $15-$30 to own a game for only 90 days? Why would I give you $5 to play a game for only 4 hours? I can go to GameStop and buy these games for less than that and have them until I’m done and then trade them and get money back. It would be better if you made it an additional $5 or $10 a month added on to your PS+ or something and have unlimited access to the games. Or make it possible to purchase an unlimited license or something. These prices are disgusting. Way too much money being asked for so little in return.
Wow, I really had high hopes for this service, but these prices are going to completely undermine it. Sony needs to take a longer view on this, rather than seemingly trying to recoup their investment quickly with these ridiculous prices. Focus more on getting their own classic IP’s up, where they can better control the pricing, rather than have MGS4, a great game, but at a price no one would ever pay. Plus, why aren’t there more, and/or better games available to try for free during this “beta” period. I find it hard to believe the network is really being heavily stress tested with the pricing the way it currently stands.
So to get this right ,Sony thought we wouldn’t think EA`s service was good value ……..Hows that working for you Sony?
This is the most Ridiculous thing I have Ever seen from Sony, This is a huge let down
I really like the concept of Playstation Now. The prices are just not doing it for me, I suggest a tweak to the prices and maybe a discount for Playstation Plus users.