Sony Has Axed Plans For PlayStation Now Mobile
Oh, bless them. We don't mean to baby a multi-billion dollar corporation, but man, Sony's PlayStation Now is looking a little rocky. As a service intended to serve as PlayStation's version of the immeasurably popular Xbox Game Pass, it hasn't entirely won users over yet.
It may have some stellar titles like The Last Of Us Part II and Tekken 7 under its belt, while a possible mass overhaul to come to make it more appealing. Simply though, it doesn't have the pull to truly contend with the beast just yet. But, it looks like there were plans to step on Xbox's turf.
What Happened To PlayStation Now Mobile?
Click to enlargeAccording to a document that has been uncovered by The Verge from the aftermath of the Epic v Apple trial, it turns out that Apple had insider knowledge that suggested Sony's leap to mobile gaming - despite Apple kicking up a massive fuss about cloud gaming ever working on their mobile devices.
The document suggests that a "mobile extension of an existing streaming service for PlayStation users, streaming access to over 450+ PS4 games to start, with PS4 games to follow" was set to arrive, but nothing has been heard of it since.
This would be an exciting prospect, especially after all the constant fuss about PlayStation's frustrating lack of backward-compatibility, even on the PS5.
Now, as Apple Arcade is in full swing, it's hard to tell if we'll ever get this streaming service. Still, it's an idea that had a lot of potential. Remember, Sony is supposedly working on its own tier-inspired subscription service like Game Pass.
Can PlayStation Now Ever Match Xbox Game Pass?
Now that the mobile venture has been canned, is it really possible for PlayStation Now to really make a dent on the Game Pass? The answer is yes - but it's going to cost Sony a hell of a lot.
Xbox has already secured an incredible wealth of games, but if PlayStation Now can land some same-day launches for games of a similar stature to Horizon Forbidden West, Ghostwire Tokyo and whatever is in the pipeline from Naughty Dog, then it would give the service some good headway to catch up.
Sony might not make it up in sheer numbers, but quality could be the sticking power that PlayStation Now needs. The service might be down, but there's no reason to say that it's out just yet. And if it can pull some winners, it could yet turn the tide of video game streaming services.
