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

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

A significant feature of 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 by which titles were most recently added to PlayStation Plus, making it easier to navigate and find new games to play.

Another exciting addition is the capability to capture gameplay during Cloud Streaming sessions. Users can access the familiar create menu to take screenshots or record video clips, with Sony supporting video clips up to 1920x1080 resolution and three minutes in duration.

Moreover, gameplay will now pause when you open the PS Portal quick menu, enter rest mode via the power button, or if a system error message appears. However, the pause in rest mode lasts only 15 seconds before the cloud streaming session disconnects. Note that pausing is not supported in online multiplayer scenarios.

Additional 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 remains exclusive to PlayStation Plus Premium members, enabling them to stream select PS5 games from the PS Plus Catalog directly on the PS Portal. An update last year transformed the Portal into more of a standalone cloud streaming device, and it's clear that 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 offerings evolve in tandem with the PlayStation Portal. For now, the ability to capture numerous screenshots during streaming sessions is a welcome enhancement for users.