One clear issue with the PlayStation 4 is its lack of backwards compatibility with previous generation PlayStation consoles. Sony said they were working at addressing this issue using Gaikai, the cloud streaming company they had recently acquired, and now, at CES, we finally know what their plans were.
At CES, Sony unveiled PlayStation Now- the cloud streaming service will allow players to play classic PlayStation games from PS1, PS2, and PS3 on PS4 and PS Vita devices. Multiplayer and Trophies will fully be supported, where applicable, and the service will also be coming to a variety of other devices later, including Bravia TVs, smartphones, and tablets.
It has been announced as a subscription based service, though it’s unknown yet how it will tie in to PlayStation Plus, Sony’s existing online subscription plan; Sony also confirmed players can choose not to subscribe, and rent titles on an individual basis if necessary.
The service is planned to go live by the end of Summer 2014, with a closed beta starting later this month. Let’s hope this works as advertised.
[IGN]