Sony is introducing a new update for PlayStation Portal users currently participating in the Cloud Streaming Beta. This update focuses on improving user experience and enhancing functionality, with several notable additions rolling out later today.
One of the standout features is the ability to sort games within the Cloud Streaming Beta catalog. Users can now organize titles by Name, Release Date, or filter based on the most recently added PlayStation Plus games—making it easier than ever to find what you want to play next.
Another exciting enhancement is the addition of gameplay capture during cloud streaming sessions. Whether you're opening the Create menu, taking a screenshot, or recording a video clip, these standard options are now fully supported. According to the PlayStation blog, recorded clips can reach up to 1920x1080 resolution and have a maximum duration of three minutes.
Additionally, gameplay will now pause automatically when you open the PS Portal quick menu, enter rest mode via the power button, or encounter a system error message. It's important to note that the pause function while in rest mode lasts only 15 seconds. If the Portal remains inactive beyond this time, the cloud streaming session will disconnect. Furthermore, pausing is not supported during online multiplayer gameplay.
Other improvements include a queue system that activates when the streaming server reaches capacity, notifications for inactivity, and tools designed to gather user feedback. Sony has also confirmed its commitment to continue expanding the feature set based on player input and suggestions.
The Cloud Streaming Beta is currently accessible to PlayStation Plus Premium members, enabling them to stream select PS5 games from the PS Plus Catalog directly to the PS Portal via cloud technology. While the Portal was originally designed to work in tandem with a connected PlayStation 5, a previous update redefined its capabilities, making it more of a standalone cloud streaming device. It’s clear that Sony intends to keep refining and evolving this functionality moving forward.
As cloud streaming becomes an increasingly integral part of the modern gaming landscape, it will be intriguing to observe how Sony continues to develop its service alongside the PlayStation Portal hardware. For now, players can enjoy enhanced media controls and the convenience of capturing multiple screenshots seamlessly while streaming to their Portal.
