PlayStation Portal Enhances Cloud Streaming Beta with Gameplay Capture

Sony is rolling out a new update for PlayStation Portal users participating in its Cloud Streaming Beta, introducing several enhancements to the remote play system's cloud capabilities. These updates, set to be available later today, focus on improving user experience and functionality.

One of the key additions is the ability to sort games within the Cloud Streaming Beta catalog. Players can now organize their games by Name, Release Date, or based on when titles were most recently added to PlayStation Plus, making it easier to navigate and select games.

Another significant update is the introduction of gameplay capturing during Cloud Streaming sessions. Users can access the create menu to take screenshots or record video clips, with Sony supporting video clips up to 1920x1080 resolution and up to three minutes in duration, as mentioned in their PlayStation blog.

Additionally, gameplay will now pause when users open the PS Portal quick menu, enter rest mode using the power button, or encounter a system error message. However, the pause in rest mode is limited to 15 seconds; if the Portal remains in rest mode longer, the cloud streaming session will disconnect. It's important to note that pause functionality is not supported in online multiplayer scenarios.

Other enhancements include a queue system for when the streaming server reaches capacity, notifications for user inactivity, and new tools for user feedback. Sony has expressed its commitment to continuously improving the service based on user input.

The Cloud Streaming Beta remains 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 independent cloud streaming device, and it appears Sony is dedicated to further refining this feature.

As cloud streaming becomes increasingly integral to the gaming ecosystem, it will be fascinating to observe how Sony's offerings evolve with the PlayStation Portal. The ability to capture numerous screenshots during streaming sessions adds a valuable layer of engagement for users.