PlayStation NOW will use the Gaikai cloud based service Sony purchased back in 2012. A signal that the way we play games in the future will begin to change and it has been no secret that the PS4 would be built around the streaming service.
Only PS3 games will be available at launch, with the hope that PS2 and PS1 games will follow. The biggest question on peoples mind is how will we pay for it? Sony have not revealed much expect, you will be able to pay per game or a monthly subscription. The service will allow people to play games on the move without worrying about game saves. It will provide players with the most recent version of the game, stopping lengthy installations and patches.
The US has been picked first for testing and rolling out the service as the internet speeds across the states is more universal compared with Europe. An expected absolute minimum download speed of 5mbs will be enough to ensure good quality of graphics and speed. However, due to the compressed state of the streaming. Larger TVs will notice poorer quality the lower their internet speed to the magic 5mb.
This is set to revolutionise gaming and if successful we will begin to notice a change in how your video games get to us. Although many are still happy with disc based products, (myself including). The chance to play triple A titles, the day of release without worrying pre-ordering and shops running out of stock is exciting. Where Sony need to be careful, however, is the pricing. SEN is still stupidly over priced compared with 'off the shelf' games. This will certainly crash the second hand market, which gets you thinking why Sony weren't too worried about allowing second hand games and scrapping online passes.
Expect more information the closer we get to launch and after Beta testing which is due to start very soon.
CJSowry