DF: Running PS4 Games on PSNow

So PSNow is still stuck streaming at 720p, and like 4 frames of latency

However, the specs don't alter when streaming PlayStation 4 games, meaning that the standard 1080p framebuffer gets a 720p downscale before encoding, then it's blown up to the display output set on the client. The result for PS4 titles is undoubtedly softer owing to the resolution downscale, but image quality is affected in other ways too - Killzone Shadowfall's soft volumetric lights cause clear issues for the encoder, causing some obvious macroblocking. Super Stardust Ultra's combination of constant fast motion and fine detail is even more of an issue - resulting in some ugly artefacting. It's still playable - but it just looks poor. The issue is exacerbated if you have the base PS4 connected to a 4K screen: an original 1080p image is downscaled, encoded, decoded, then upscaled to 1080p before the display itself upscales again to 4K. It's not pretty, but by and large, you accept a certain loss of fidelity with cloud systems.

So it's not the worst thing ever

The concept of fully playable access to your games wherever you are clearly has some value - and there is some evidence that Sony is planning for something along these lines. For example, it is indeed possible to port over save game progress from PlayStation Now to your local console - we were able to play Killzone Shadowfall via the cloud, then transfer our save to cloud storage and retrieve it locally on a standard PS4. It's a bit of a faff for now, but the foundations are there for Now to integrate with standard, local gaming.

Clearly, Sony has invested substantially into PlayStation Now and despite the sometimes wobbly image quality and extra lag, there's something here that works. Consistency in response - even if it's four frames behind local systems - seems to work in maintaining playability. Improved image quality for PS4 titles is a must, but even here, the system is still serviceable enough on most titles. But fundamentally, Sony has a history of experimenting with cutting-edge technologies then falling short in delivering quality content - PS Vita, PlayStation Move and even PSVR lack the support of Sony's top development teams. There's potential in Now, but it needs a genuinely exciting vision to make it truly deliver - a 'greatest hits' catalogue of old games at £13 per month isn't going to cut it.

Assuming you can get in...

4 frames of latency? Yikes. Having the game display being ugly doesn't help.

Wait i thought 30-60 was barely noticeable, now you guys are making a big deal out of 4 fps?

@zaryia: Who in the hell said that? I see a difference between 30fps and 60fps.

PS Now sucks. Get a PS4; buy Sony's exclusives (if you want them). This is the only correct way to go about it.

Meh. The major PS exclusives are movie-games. I doubt you'll even notice the lag, or if it'll even matter.

Just use it on PC.

Steaming games is the worst option if you're a hardcore gamer.

Hell, even casual gamers should stay away from this.

Why would anyone want to rent games instead of own them? Not only that, but when you rent these games via steaming, you're getting the watered down, inferior versions with more lag and shittier resolution.

In fighting games for example, even 1 frame can make a difference.

Why is this still a thing?

LOL @ streaming games. Why would anyone want to stream PS4 games at 720p with such high latency? It's a shit idea and only the most desperate people should even consider it. PS Now is an overpriced garbage service. If you wanna play PS4 games you're much better off buying a PS4.

Pretty much. After a year of PS Now you should have enough money to just get a used PS4 instead.

I think this is on PC

Server queues to even get on the service? 720p? Streaming? High latency?

Gross.

Just get the disc or download the games

Opps, not sure why i thought on PS4.

So does PS4 have exclusives any longer?

But but but Kvally told me all games wold be playable and great on PS Now..lol

Yes considering the list sony reveal was 95% multiplatforms and like 2 real exclusives..lol

Nope, these are all playable on PC now.

Selling Pro towards my X1X and signing up!

F*** streaming games.. i tried it .. disgusting is being kind the latency is horrible.

No they aren't

If you are a Xbox only gamer, you should be use to this type of debacle.

huh?

Exactly...

Looks like you won't need a PS4 anymore to play Sony's exclusives.

Just an ALT who's off with the fairies lol.

PC master race playing games in 720p with a huge lag to boot, I doubt it.

@drlostrib said:

HAHAHAHAHAAHA

That's the funniest image I've seen on System Wars in a while !

"You can play non-streaming games while you wait"

Pfffffffffft hahahahaha

Would make it my sig, if I weren't so addicted to Battlefield 1 atm.

Gross.

For streaming PS4 games on PC? Ewwww!

And it should be noted NOT everyone likes to stream games & not all of PS4 games will be on PS Now. I had to correct this to Kvally in the past that not everyone is gonna be streaming. Xbox One Play Anywhere however does it way better.

Lemmings claiming PS4 has lost it's exclusives.... check the list of available games you clowns..... there's barely any exclusive available... Keep clinging on to the dream the Xbox still has a chance...

@davillain-: Yes of course XB Play Anywhere is better... but cows love to say that it makes XB1 completely unnecessary since you can play most MS exclusives on PC. So using that logic, as Sony adds more PS4 titles to PS Now, PS4 will become less necessary.

These responses to me are so depressing. You guys are so jelly of PS4 exclusives that you're willing to say it has lost its exclusives due to a crappy 720p streaming rental service that features like 2 of said exclusives. Think about that.

Signing up tonight. I heard it has Ni No Kuni.

720P for PS4 games? No thanks.

@metalslimenite: I'm sorry, I'm just using the same logic as cows. It seems to be ok if they use it so I might as well.

Wait, what's the bad behavior here?

Because I'm talking sh** about PS4/Sony? That isn't allowed on here apparently.

The differences are that the Xbox games on PC are actually natively running on PC, with most likely better versions than the console counterparts, all of the games are there from day 1 and you don't have to pay a rent to access them but you actually own them. Not to mention you can get X1 games on PC from anywhere in the world. None of that is true for PSNow so it is more accurate to say that MS games on PC make the X1 unnecessary than to say that PSNow makes the PS4 unnecessary. The two situations are completely different.

Doesn't matter... technically you still don't need a PS4.

Anyway, whatevs. I'm just trying to point out how stupid the cow argument is about XB1 being "irrelevant" because of XB Play Anywhere. Maybe people should compliment MS more for doing it properly instead of the ridiculousness that is PS Now.

Play Anywhere is definitely a better service than PSNow but they are different and pursue different objectives. That still doesn't make X1 more necessary if you play on PC, while a PC gamer still could find much more relevant reasons to actually buy a PS4.

Yes, if you are a PC gamer of course it makes the XB1 a lot less necessary. But that's only a small number of people... But anyway, I'm not starting this debate again. It's ridiculous & a waste of time.

I don't think it's as small as you think... Apparently Microsoft neither otherwise they wouldn't be doing something like putting all their games on PC.

IF one has good broadband connection, already has suitable PC and only has casual interest with PS4 exclusives, then there's less need for PS4 hardware at the end user side with PS Now.

Furthermore, PC is already emulating PS3 with some games which are also PS4 exclusives. One of main reasons for my Intel Skylake X 8 Core with 1 MB L2 cache per CPU core is just for this compute problem. It's better to cash in before open source emulation scene runs with it. Resistance futile with PCMR.

Oh no! Oh my god!

I don't care. As long as Ronald Mcdonald Velencia gets owned on a regular basis anything goes.