Today Sony launched the PlayStation Now service on a limited basis on 2014 model-year Bravia TVs. Effective tonight, those Bravia owners will be able to stream PS3 games directly to their HDTV. That’s all well and good, but what about the PlayStation Now PS4 open beta? When will that finally open registration and become available?
How’s July 31 sound?
The PlayStation Now beta is currently available on a limited basis on both PS4 and PS3. The Private Beta has been going on since late May, giving a select few the chance to try Sony’s new game-streaming service. A more widespread PlayStation Now PS4 open beta won’t begin for another month.
For many gamers, anyway. The open beta will go live for PS4 users in the contiguous United States and parts of Canada on July 31. The service will expand to PS3 systems in September, followed by PlayStation Vita. PlayStation TV will then debut by the end of this year in the United States and Canada.
However, Sony “will continue to prepare for the delivery of the PS Now service in Europe and Japan.” In other words, PlayStation Now currently appears to be a strictly North American affair.
With the PlayStation Now PS4 open beta set to debut July 31, registration is likely to open within the next two weeks. If it follows the Private Beta’s model, the PlayStation Now PS4 open beta will require interested gamers to download a beta app and register online. If you are selected to participate, you will be notified via your registered email address.
If you’re selected, make sure to redeem the voucher code on the PS4 you’ll use during the beta. The code can only be redeemed once, and Sont won’t provide another voucher code if you install the PlayStation Now app on the wrong device. Not that you’re likely to own multiple PS4s anyway….
Voucher codes for a PS3 can not be used on a PS4, and vice versa. So don’t apply for a PS3 beta code thinking you’ll be able to “trick” your PS4 into accepting it.
More than 100 first-party Sony titles from a range of genres will be available at the start of the PlayStation Now PS4 open beta. Sony is still working with other publishers to test various rental periods and prices.
For instance, there will be shorter rental periods priced as low as $2.99, with most titles priced between $2.99 and $19.99. With that said, publishers and developers are responsible for their own pricing, so some games may cost more or less. Sony also plans to offer PlayStation Now subscription options in the future.
