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

Sony is rolling out an exciting new update for PlayStation Portal users participating in its Cloud Streaming Beta. This update, set to enhance the user experience and general functionality, will be available later today.

One of the key 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 based on which titles were most recently added to PlayStation Plus, making it easier to navigate and find the games they want to play.

Another significant addition is the capability 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.

Gameplay will now pause when you open the PS Portal quick menu, enter rest mode using the power button, or if a system error message appears. However, the rest mode pause is limited to 15 seconds; if the Portal stays in rest mode longer, the cloud streaming session will disconnect. Note that pausing is not supported during online multiplayer sessions.

Additional updates include a queue system for when the streaming server reaches capacity, notifications for inactivity, and new user feedback tools. Sony has committed 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 Sony appears 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 certainly a welcome addition.