Should PS Plus Members Pay For PlayStation Now?

PlayStation Now Open Beta Out Now, But Should It Be Free To PS Plus Members?

August 1st, 2014 Dean Howard

As Sony finally launches the PlayStation Now Open Beta, a heated debate has begun amongst PlayStation Plus community members on wether this additional instant streaming service should be a free addition to the current yearly subscription they are currently paying for the PlayStation Plus service. Based on Sony's recent updates and tentative pricing, this is why we think PS plus members should pay for this service.

As some of you may know, Sony announced PlayStation Now (PS Now) its first ever streaming service via Sony's cloud service back at CES 2014.  PlayStation Now open beta officially launched July 30th on PlayStation's Platform systems in U.S and Canada with over one hundred titles accessible via several rental options and durations ranging from 7, 30 and even 90 days as well as short 4-hour lengths for those who would like to sample the title first before fully committing.


Check out the latest video below to find out how the service works.



 
Our Thoughts . . .

We think Playstation Now is a great idea, with Sony taking inspiration from other popular game streaming services like Steam. PlayStation Now will enable other non PlayStation Platform owners to play some of Sony's biggest PS3 exclusives just like you would stream a movie on Netflix or download a song on Spotify. As Sony expands the PlayStation Now catalogue in the next few weeks, months and beyond they hope to also roll out the streaming game service to other Sony products like the Sony Bravia HD 4K and then unto other non Sony products like PC, Mac Books, and mobile devices as long as you have a good internet connection.

Although PS Plus is similar in that you can access PS4, PS3 and PS Vita games, what really makes PS Now truly cutting edge is in its ability to provide instant streaming from some of Sony's biggest exclusive titles as they launch not just on PlayStation 3, but on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita and eventually beyond those platforms.

Sony are still revising their pricing plans for PlayStation Now and may consider revising it to factor those who are already on the PS Plus subscription program. Please leave your comments and feedback on the service below and tell us what you think of the PS Now service so far.