Kotaku: Playstation Now Will Offer Downloads Later This Year

pswii60 · Jun 19, 2018

Mass_Pincup said:
Yep, look at PS+ for a similar exemple.

Incredible value at the start to ease you into paying for online and then drastically dropping the quality of content.

To be fair, Plus has been pretty good this year with games like Bloodborne etc. Although it held far better value for me when we were getting day one indie games like Outlast, Velocity 2X and Rocket League, although they stopped that a couple of years back sadly.

Velocity:Design:Comfort · Jun 19, 2018

Derrick01 said:
Because it's only "incredible value" on the surface. These things are just trojan horses into getting you to be alright with the idea of not having any ownership rights over games for the future, when they make this kind of service the only way to play games years from now. This is the beginning stages of that time and it's easier to stop it now, but most can't look beyond what's happening right now so they think it's an amazing deal.

https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/slippery-slope

StuBurns · Jun 19, 2018

Derrick01 said:
It's only a matter of time until we have a digital only console. Even if it's 10 years away it's still coming and once it does we'll be at the mercy of MS and Sony and to a lesser extent the other publishers. They could make these services mandatory and we wouldn't be able to do anything about it since it's just MS and Sony in the playing field. Of course there's PC too but I have a feeling most would just complain at first then shut up and deal with it instead of having to get into with PC gaming, with some of the arguments I see on here a lot of the time.

Like I said in the other thread today I don't use netflix, spotify or any streaming service.

I actually share some of your concerns, and I have much greater issues with what I think the knock on effect of Game Pass is to game design (self-revenue generating decisions, etc), however, retail is on the way out regardless of these services.

There's not going to be a box release of games ten/fifteen years from now. This is coming, if they still want to sell you games individually or not. That idea of physical ownership is not here to stay.

Nor is it with the film example actually. UHD BRDs are a shit show compared to BRDs in selection. I don't know how the sales are going, but I know it must be crap enough that if you're not a huge budget Hollywood film, you're probably shit out of luck. Criterion aren't even bothering.

OnionPowder · Jun 19, 2018

If PS5 has PS3 and PS4 BC option then this would be a good deal and competitor to gamepass.

Right now it's shit with how expensive it is imo. GamePass is just better with the addition of local play on 360 and OG Xbox games.

RayCharlizard · Jun 19, 2018

Glad this is confirmed now. Allowing downloads will get more people into the service, and more people into the service makes it more valuable to Sony, which will hopefully lead to a larger library and an attempt to stay competitive with Game Pass. They're going to have to put some standouts in there now if they're going to continue justifying double the monthly price.

SpartyCrunch · Jun 19, 2018

zombiejames said:
I'n not disagreeing with you, at all, but I have to ask: Does it bother you that you don't own any of the movies you watch on Netflix?

The problem with the Netflix comparison is that subscribing to Game Pass actually gives you a discount to permanently purchase games you like.

Games available on the service for 30+ days get a 10% discount for permanent ownership and 90+ days get a 20% discount for permanent ownership. So unlike Netflix, Game Pass actually incentivizes permanent ownership after some time.

I'm interested to see if Sony does something similar for PS Now.

Meows · Jun 19, 2018

I would actually use this service if true lol but it is still missing some of the games I really want to replay like the XIII trilogy.

Neuromancer · Jun 19, 2018

That is a little more attractive to me than streaming, but I don't see myself paying for another game subscription service. Between the games I get via PS+ and XBLG, and the games I've bought over the years, I already have more games than I know what to do with.

Mass_Pincup · Jun 19, 2018

pswii60 said:
To be fair, Plus has been pretty good this year with games like Bloodborne etc. Although it held far better value for me when we were getting day one indie games like Outlast, Velocity 2X and Rocket League, although they stopped that a couple of years back sadly.

I'm probably being a tiny bit too cynical but it wouldn't surprise me if the better lineup is due to the fact that they're dropping PS3 and Vita title without adding any new game.

Crayon · Jun 19, 2018

Is there a cheaper version is I'm not going to stream? Or will you put the good new games on it of you keep the price high? I dunno. I guess we'll see how it shakes out.

Aokiji · Jun 19, 2018

zoltan said:
yeah, I'm thinking that too, with name change comment last year at PSX, partial redesign of store, PS Now DL button it really looks like Sony is gearing for PSN rework

thank god too. there's no way in hell they can go into next gen with this PSN, which is essentially the same PSN from PS3

zoltan · Jun 19, 2018

store listing for PSNow mentions September 25th as end for 99$ for 12mo, could new PS Now launch then?

PlayStation Now Annual Price Offer is valid from June 5, 2018 9 AM PT through September 25, 2018 9 AM PT

WillySJ3 · Jun 19, 2018

And that's why we need a healthy competition. Good move.

LQX · Jun 19, 2018

There is no doubt Sony can make backwards compatibility a reality with ease if they wanted but they rather put on this show with PlayStation Now to make it seem as PS3 compatibility on PS4 is only possible via PS Now. But yeah, I think they will give up the ruse soon after this announcement. They see were MS is headed.

I Wanna Be The Guy · Jun 19, 2018

I tell you what really pisses me off with PS Now. The fact that Sony STILL hasn't delivered on the promise of PS Now in terms of devices supported. The idea was that we would be able to stream PS Now from a variety of devices. Phones, tablets you name it.

We actually have LESS supported devices now than when the service first launched. Vita support getting killed still hurts. I mean at least we have PC support now but we've got a lot less than what I envisioned.

Falconbox · Jun 19, 2018

tyfon said:
One of the problem with making all the games "free" is that they will require alternative methods of making money i.e. free to play + microtransaction model.

These types of recurring spending subscription services often make MORE money than selling items separately.

Sure, some people who buy 5-10 games a year will save money. But most gamers only buy a couple per year, and if you can instead lock them into spending $100/yr in perpetuity on a service (on top of the games that aren't included in the service), the company comes out ahead.

Startropper · Jun 19, 2018

This is just the beginning, they'll revamp PS Now into a download/streaming service.

The question is, how long until we see release games coming same day and date to the service.

gofreak · Jun 19, 2018

I Wanna Be The Guy said:
Neat. Streaming is the entire appeal of this service to me, but it's nice there's an option there. Good news is that this should incentivise Sony to actually start getting serious with the PS4 content on PS NOW.

I'd have hope there too.

I think the strategy here is to start trying to leverage fans among existing PS owners, build good sentiment around PS Now, and use the halo effect later when pushing out beyond the core. Maybe they've realised it's a good idea to build credibility with the core first.

I think it's why they're folding this in under the PS Now umbrella, and not another separate IGC service. PS Now needs fans. This is also basically what a lot of people seem to be forecasting gamepass will become - a service where you can either optionally stream or download depending on the local hardware available to you. The download aspect appeals to the traditional user (as gamepass is currently), the streaming option let's you potentially bridge out to the friends of your core users who might only have a tablet or a phone or whatever. Reaching the latter will be easier if you have a happy userbase among the former... so hopefully Sony will do things, like this, to make their 'core' PS Now users happy.

potatohead · Jun 19, 2018

Holy shit this is crazy.

It would be totally nuts if BC PS3 came to PS4.

Blanquito said:
Huh, interesting. The option to stream and/or download a game seems nice.

Wonder if PS5 will have ps3 back compat so you could download ps3/ps4/ps5 games onto it?

I think this is the plan.

There is no way to sell a PlayStation 5 than say "hey you can play ps2/ps3/ps4 titles AND ps5 titles on your new machine and for $399"

I mean that's a fucking massive library.

And omg Sony where is PS1 already........ jeebussss

Anyway x86 was always the key to consolidating all the console makers libraries, thank God AMD came out with APUs and amazing GPU performance! Made it all a no brainer. And I can't wait to see what Sony has in store for PS5 GPU and CPU customizations.

Crucible said:
This is just the beginning, they'll revamp PS Now into a download/streaming service.

The question is, how long until we see release games coming same day and date to the service.

Good question and I think probably within a year or two.

But I imagine select titles, like budget ones. And once in a while maybe a MP portion or full game of a bigger title.

Can someone say Warhawk launch f2p MP on PS5 launch? I heard if more people whisper it it will come true......

Deepthought_ · Jun 19, 2018

It would have to be for newly released games too , that's the only way I see myself subscribing

vivftp · Jun 19, 2018

Nice. We already know that PS Plus is getting a change next year by dropping PS3 and Vita games, so maybe they're going to roll Plus and Now into one package? It makes sense from a games perspective because you'll be able to download your PS4 games the same either way.

StuBurns · Jun 19, 2018

LQX said:
There is no doubt Sony can make backwards compatibility a reality with ease if they wanted but they rather put on this show with PlayStation Now to make it seem as PS3 compatibility on PS4 is only possible via PS Now. But yeah, I think they will give up the ruse soon after this announcement. They see were MS is headed.

No, they can't.

The Cell is literally faster peak performance than the Jags in the PS4. Even without having to consider the interpretation stuff. PS4 doesn't support PS3 games because it couldn't, and it won't when they announce this service.

It was true last-gen though, PS3 had a PS2 emulator in the dev FW for years before they released it for the public.

VirtuaRacer · Jun 19, 2018

Arc said:
Thank Microsoft for pushing Game Pass.

Thank Sony for pushing PlayStation Now, that pushed Microsoft to reply with Game Pass, which pushed Sony to reply with local downloads.

Deleted member 18742 · Jun 19, 2018

Fuck this is a megaton. I'm going to subscribe to this and get rid of the my physical copies of the PS4 games being offered

Deleted member 5764 · Jun 19, 2018

Terraforce said:
Isn't Game Pass $10 per month? That would be $120 per year, which is more but you just don't have to pay up front.

IIRC, PlayStation Now is not normally $99 per year. That's a special promotion that they run for a limited time.

Derrick01 · Jun 19, 2018

Velocity:Design:Comfort said:
https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/slippery-slope

I remember when this was posted during the horse armor debate over a decade ago, and then we watched as it literally got worse and worse and keeps getting worse to this very day.

Deepthought_ · Jun 19, 2018

The more I think about it , I would probably a sub fee a year if I had access to all newly released games with the option to buy of course

nib95 · Jun 19, 2018

Damn, that's pretty huge. Will all PS4 games have the download option? I wonder how long it'll be till they add PS3 and PS2 games.

Mass_Pincup said:
Yep, look at PS+ for a similar exemple.

Incredible value at the start to ease you into paying for online and then drastically dropping the quality of content.

The last few months of PS Plus have been some of the best. Lots of decent AAA and other releases. Call of Duty BLOPS III, XCOM 2, Trials Fusion, Beyond Two Souls, Rayman Legends, Mad Max, Trackmania, Bloodborne, Ratchet and Clank and so on, and that's just the PS4 stuff.

DieH@rd · Jun 19, 2018

Frankly, this is a no-brainer move. By offering downloads, they are not spending their own electricity and bandwith to render and stream games. If people download more, cost of running PSNow servers will be reduced.

Inuhanyou · Jun 19, 2018

you cant donwload a stream. you mean giving users the "option" of streaming games they buy on demand?

Crayon · Jun 19, 2018

Derrick01 said:
Because it's only "incredible value" on the surface. These things are just trojan horses into getting you to be alright with the idea of not having any ownership rights over games for the future, when they make this kind of service the only way to play games years from now. This is the beginning stages of that time and it's easier to stop it now, but most can't look beyond what's happening right now so they think it's an amazing deal.

I agree to an extent. Too many people willing to pay full retail price for digital games, trading the ability to loan and sell their games for nothing more than the effort saved of changing the disc.

This is kind of different and I can see some more tangible benefit from a service like this but I think it would be naive to believe that a new thing like this would come along and have zero down sides. Even if we can't predict exactly what those would be.

Edit: this forum software+text to speech is a butcher!

Deleted member 20297 · Jun 19, 2018

DieH@rd said:
Frankly, this is a no-brainer move. By offering downloads, they are not spending their own electricity and bandwith to render and stream games. If people download more, cost of running PSNow servers will be reduced.

By getting rid of PSNOW completely, they have zero cost for that and can call the service PlayStation pass. No brainer.

StuBurns · Jun 19, 2018

Deepthought_ said:
The more I think about it , I would probably a sub fee a year if I had access to all newly released games with the option to buy of course

ALL games?

How much do you think that service would cost? For unlimited use of every PS4 game launched, day one.... A yearly subscription to that would be like a thousand dollars.

Sabretooth · Jun 19, 2018

I'm going to get a PS4 next month, and I was going to get a few games to start it off. With this news, though, I think I'm going to wait and see what happens. I'm in no rush, already got Bloodborne, and have a massive PC backlog to work through.

Xeontech · Jun 19, 2018

This is huge.

GarthLordOfTheSith · Jun 19, 2018

I'm thinking they'll find a way to make PS3 games work on PS5 just so they can have that marketing blurb.

ThankDougie · Jun 19, 2018

OnionPowder said:
If PS5 has PS3 and PS4 BC option then this would be a good deal and competitor to gamepass.

Right now it's shit with how expensive it is imo. GamePass is just better with the addition of local play on 360 and OG Xbox games.

I think this would help kill Xbox straight up. Having Game Pass is about 60% of the reason I'd go with Microsoft over Sony. Give me a way to try out games for a monthly fee and then let me buy them afterward if I love them? That's a pretty solid deal. It's basically a rental service without having to wait for shit to come in the mail. Combine that with BC and what really does the Xbox have to offer services-wise (i realize there are Halo and GoW fans out there; not saying there are no Microsoft exclusives worth thinking about)? 10/10 idea IMO.

Goonopher · Jun 19, 2018

I'll subscribe then.

Papilloma · Jun 19, 2018

Derrick01 said:
Like I said in the other thread today I don't use netflix, spotify or any streaming service.

So do you believe that if this service isn't for you that no-one else should be able to use it?

Vinc · Jun 19, 2018

As I expected. Glad it's coming.

Sabretooth · Jun 19, 2018

LifeLine said:
Only hope is PS5. But who knows if they ever figure out how to emulate cell.

If a bunch of scrappy programmers working online off Patreon money can do it, I imagine Sony shouldn't have that much trouble.

Mass_Pincup · Jun 19, 2018

nib95 said:
The last few months of PS Plus have been some of the best. Lots of decent AAA and other releases. Call of Duty BLOPS III, XCOM 2, Trials Fusion, Beyond Two Souls, Rayman Legends, Mad Max, Trackmania, Bloodborne, Ratchet and Clank and so on, and that's just the PS4 stuff.

I already addressed that in a later post.

Basically, I think it had something to do with the announcement of no new PS3/Vita games with no current new additions.

ArmGunar · Jun 19, 2018

Mass_Pincup said:
I'm probably being a tiny bit too cynical but it wouldn't surprise me if the better lineup is due to the fact that their dropping PS3 and Vita title without adding any new game.

And that they increased the price too

Deepthought_ · Jun 19, 2018

StuBurns said:
ALL games?

How much do you think that service would cost? For unlimited use of every PS4 game launched, day one.... A yearly subscription to that would be like a thousand dollars.

Yea , Ps4 and multiplatforms

I was just thinking it would be cool if I paid $100 dollars a year and could play any game I want downloaded right to my ps4 but I guess it would be impossible . I'm not sure how that could be pulled off.

Or their could be different packages like all Capcom, Rockstar, and Sony games vs etc package pipe dream and probably not well thought out

VirtuaRacer · Jun 19, 2018

c0de said:
By getting rid of PSNOW completely, they have zero cost for that and can call the service PlayStation pass. No brainer.

I doubt Sony are going to get rid of streaming option altogether, especially at a time when Microsoft are looking to launch their own streaming service.

nib95 · Jun 19, 2018

Mass_Pincup said:
I already addressed that in a later post.

Basically, I think it had something to do with the announcement of no new PS3/Vita games with no current new additions.

Possibly, but in the last few months they've still been offering PS3 and Vita games, so I don't see why the announcement itself should change the perception of quality.

Vertpin · Jun 19, 2018

Megaton. Should have been announced at E3. Now bring me Demon's Souls!

Iwao · Jun 19, 2018

PS3 downloads are never happening on PS4, but PS5 should be powerful enough to emulate it if they decide to bother.

I can see it happening though. With RPCS3 making good strides and Xbox Game Pass and backwards compatibility being a huge focus for Microsoft next-gen, I'm sure Sony is interested in engineering this, and with streaming having only taken them so far, this could be what the service really needs.

I Wanna Be The Guy · Jun 19, 2018

GarthLordOfTheSith said:
I'm thinking they'll find a way to make PS3 games work on PS5 just so they can have that marketing blurb.

God if they somehow do this I'll lose my shit. Sony can have all my money.

gofreak · Jun 19, 2018

c0de said:
By getting rid of PSNOW completely, they have zero cost for that and can call the service PlayStation pass. No brainer.

They ultimately want a service anyone can sign up to an use regardless of their hardware. That means streaming.

I think they still believe in the role of streaming going forward, in the whole 'netflix for games' vision, but they've probably recognised that they need a hybrid approach if they want to build a buzz around that among their existing fans. Hence a combination service, that serves games in whatever way best suits the user's circumstances.

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