PlayStation Portal Enhances Cloud Streaming with Beta Updates, Adds Gameplay Capture

Sony has announced a new update for PlayStation Portal users participating in its Cloud Streaming Beta, bringing significant enhancements to the remote play system's cloud capabilities. This update, set to roll out later today, introduces several user experience and functionality improvements that are sure to excite PlayStation Plus Premium members.

One of the standout features of this update is the ability to sort games within the Cloud Streaming Beta catalog. Players can now organize their games by Name, Release Date, or according to which titles were most recently added to PlayStation Plus. This sorting functionality makes it easier for users to navigate and find the games they want to play.

Another exciting addition is the ability to capture gameplay during a Cloud Streaming session. Users can access the familiar create menu to take screenshots or record video clips. According to the PlayStation blog, video clips can be recorded at a resolution of up to 1920x1080 and can last up to three minutes, providing ample opportunity to capture and share your favorite gaming moments.

Gameplay will now pause under certain conditions, enhancing the user experience. The game will pause when you open the PS Portal quick menu, enter rest mode using the power button, or if a system error message appears. However, note that the rest mode pause lasts only 15 seconds; if the Portal remains in rest mode beyond this time, the cloud streaming session will disconnect. Additionally, pause functionality is not supported in online multiplayer games.

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

The Cloud Streaming Beta is exclusively available 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 standalone 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 see how Sony's offerings evolve in conjunction with the PlayStation Portal. The ability to capture numerous screenshots while streaming to your Portal is just one of the many enhancements that make this update a significant step forward for PlayStation users.