Even though it has been officially discontinued in some markets, the PlayStation 3 is still a relatively easy console to find, but with the launch of the PlayStation 4 and the change in architecture, Sony knows that the lack of backward compatibility is a serious problem. Of course, the answer lies in its streaming service PlayStation Now, which now extends its support to computers, always assuming that the user is willing to pay a subscription, and play with a gamepad.
When Microsoft confirmed that the Xbox One would have updates to incorporate backward compatibility with Xbox 360 games, players received the news with open arms. On the other side, PlayStation 4 owners wonder when Sony will do the same, but everything seems to indicate that the Japanese giant has no intentions of adding that feature on the console, but rather offering it through its streaming service PlayStation Now. The main advantage of this strategy is that Sony can see beyond the PlayStation 4, and that is exactly what it just did. Yesterday, Sony enabled access to PlayStation Now for PCs.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/eVW10rAesEAMinimum requirements
The technical specifications that Sony suggests as a minimum to access the service and run its app are quite reasonable: Intel Core i3 2.0 GHz or equivalent, 2 GB of RAM, 300 MB of disk space, Windows 7 SP1 or higher, and a USB port that allows us to connect a compatible gamepad (Sony recommends the Dualshock 4 for a better experience, but it is not mandatory).
Connectivity and price
The real pressure of PlayStation Now comes through connectivity. The download speed must not be less than five megabits, otherwise the games will do a "break dance" with terrible lag. Finally, we must consider the subscription price. PlayStation Now costs $20 per month, and it is not available in all regions, but if you are lucky in that aspect, you can access a promotion of $100 for 12 months of access.
Honestly, I'm not sure if PlayStation Now is worth it (for now) on computers. While I applaud the possibility of playing titles that were once exclusive to PS3 (such as Heavy Rain and Journey), there are many games in the service that already have dedicated versions on PC, and they are not that expensive. Now, if you decided not to buy a PlayStation 3 or didn't have the chance for economic reasons, maybe PlayStation Now is a decent shortcut. Sony offers a seven-day free trial, don't forget to try it.
