A recently discovered Sony patent describes a new device that can enable cloud gaming services when paired with a streaming device.
This potential streaming device could seemingly avoid the need for a PS5 console. The patent (opens in a new tab) alone, discovered by Very Ali Gaming (opens in a new tab)shows that the device acts as an intermediary between the TV and selected streaming devices.
One of the patent diagrams shows Sony’s PS Now streaming service added to the main menu of a streaming device along with other options you’d normally find such as movies, music and so on on the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. However, the patent was originally filed last May, meaning it would have been written before the PS Plus refresh that brought PS Now to a new tiered service.
It is still unclear what the final product will look like – if it will be released at all – and what the library of games available to play will consist of. But it’s an interesting proposition from Sony that could see it break into the cloud gaming space much like Xbox Game Pass.
Head in the clouds
Admittedly, Sony’s interpretation of the cloud streaming device featured in the patent above is a bit clumsy. Considering it’s a transient device, it will require a streaming stick to be usable at all. Judging by the patent, PlayStation’s streaming services seem to be bolted to the menu of the streaming device you’re using.
It would be great to have access to an extensive library of games in the cloud without having to own a console, but we don’t really know how extensive the catalog will be.
At the moment, PS Plus subscribers playing on PS5 can stream a library of PS4 and PS3 games (as well as older consoles like PS3, PS2, PS1 and PSP). If Sony’s pass-through device allows gamers to access all of these games without having to play on console or PC, then that’s really commendable.
However, I doubt this will be Sony’s way of introducing streaming PS5 games, given that only a tiny fraction of the best PS5 games are available for download via PS Plus.
Still, if Sony is able to pick this device up off the ground, it could be a way for the company to test interest in something like a real PS Plus stream stick without needing an adapter to work properly. And that’s something I’d love to see.
Microsoft has really nailed Xbox Cloud Gaming’s accessibility, and the service is now integrated directly into Samsung TVs and portable devices like the Nvidia Shield. So I’m all for Sony actually putting their hat on the streaming ring, not least because of the vast library of classic PlayStation titles.