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Report: PlayStation Now streaming service load times improving

Beta period for Sony's new streaming service moves into second phase, and user reports that load times are getting much better.

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The beta period for Sony's new streaming service PlayStation Now has moved into its second phase, and one user is reporting that load times are improving substantially.

A DualShockers tipster provided a list of all the games included in the PlayStation Now beta and compares the load times with that of the first phase. The load times were clocked using the same Internet connection and are shown to improve across the board.

In the chart below, you can see a list of all the games included with the PlayStation Now beta so far, as well as load time comparisons (in seconds) where available.

  • Shadow of the Colossus -- 46.72 (old time: 53.98)
  • WipeOut HD -- 57.19
  • Dead Nation -- 40.05
  • PixelJunk Monsters -- 39.90
  • Shatter -- 38.86 (old time: 39.77)
  • Guacamelee! -- 32.36
  • Disgaea 4 -- 33.30 (old time: 47.12)
  • Dead or Alive 5 -- 36.55 (old time: 51.10)
  • Critter Crunch -- 38.37
  • Matt Hazard: Blood Bath and Beyond -- 35.81
  • Zeno Clash II -- 35.62
  • Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon -- 32.28
  • Puzzle Quest: Galactrix – 36.45
  • Rise of the Guardians -- 35.12
  • Dead Island -- 36.22
  • PAYDAY: The Heist -- 37.03
  • Order Up!! -- 35.66
  • Alien Rage -- 39.27
  • Real Steel -- 35.82

Dualshockers notes that in the first wave of the PlayStation Now beta, all of the games (except one) had a loading time of "well above" 40 seconds, while half were above 50 seconds. In the second phase of the beta, all but three required 40 seconds of shorter to load.

Obviously, load times will vary depending on your available bandwidth. For its part, Sony says you'll want at least a 5Mbps Internet connection to enjoy a good experience, but we don't know what kind of Internet connection the supplier of this data had.

An improvement in loading times for PlayStation Now throughout the various stages of beta is to be expected. After all, that is what a beta is for. Still, the load time improvement is good news and with months to go before its targeted "summer" launch, it's possible that the service could get even better.

PlayStation Now runs on technology from Gaikai, the streaming service provider Sony purchased in 2012 for $380 million. You'll be able to rent games on a title-by-title basis or as part of a wider Netflix-like subscription package. The service is coming to PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Vita, as well as Bravia TVs and an array of smartphones and tablets.

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