Microsoft Project xCloud vs. PlayStation Now: Battle of Streaming Services

PlayStation Now is well established in streaming, but Project xCloud offers great promise. Although Microsoft is about to succeed, PlayStation Now is your way of playing today.

The present meets the future

Online services have reshaped the game industry of this generation, helping to generate consistent content and revenue streams for the benefit of mainstream platform owners. Whether it's the rise of Netflix and Hulu for blockbusters or Spotify and Apple Music for the most popular titles, inclusive subscriptions have changed our entertainment consumption. And for games, subscription-based streaming is set to be the next big thing.

While Google and Microsoft are only engaged in streaming games in their own right, PlayStation Now is already established in the field for a long time. The service debuted shortly after the launch of the PlayStation 4 (PS4), with nearly five years on the market. The first service exclusively for home consoles, the service has since been extended to Windows PCs, serving a library of PS4, PS3 and PS2 titles.

Comparatively, Microsoft is just starting to roll out games continuously with its new announced Project xCloud technology. By leveraging efforts across multiple platforms, Microsoft hopes to fully leverage the Xbox ecosystem, with streaming expected on PC, console and, more importantly, mobile. This is a promising concept, although we do not know how the xCloud project will behave in the face of its competitors. For now, we are waiting for the public trails planned for 2019.

The console wars reach the heavens

PlayStation Now was unveiled for the first time at CES 2014, with plans from Sony for streaming games on consoles, TVs and mobile devices. This decision came just after the acquisition of Gaikai, a company that has built a reputation for low-latency streaming, with the technology and know-how gained from Sony's cloud empire. By condensing eight custom consoles into energy-efficient server blades, this solution promised a true PlayStation experience, apart from consoles. After many public trials, the project started in 2015.

PlayStation Now is currently supported on the PlayStation 4 family and Windows PCs, for users with an active monthly subscription. This speed is associated with a minimum download speed of 5 Mbps. However, more than double is realistic for an ideal experience. And, while the service is fully functional, Sony's low-performing cloud infrastructure simply does not allow for the seamless, low-latency gameplay required by streaming. The experiences can vary enormously according to countless factors and Sony still has several areas to improve.

Sony started with ambitious plans for PlayStation Now, but its deployment has not been transparent. He has promised availability on phones and tablets as soon as it's unveiled, but there's no sign of availability in 2018. And while PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation TV were all supported, they were removed in 2017 as part of the move to PS4 and PC exclusivity.

Microsoft has a long history in cloud technologies, after its success with the Azure platform. The Project xCloud backbone is based on custom Xbox One consoles, with Microsoft deploying server blades each consisting of lightweight Xbox One S components. The use of the service connects you to the regional xCloud servers and broadcasts the game live on your device. Although Microsoft has greater expertise in cloud computing technologies on Sony, it's hard to know how that will translate into the end product.

Microsoft is currently managing the mobile angle of the service, with applications expected for PCs, tablets and phones. With the help of 5G in the coming years, Microsoft hopes that players will be able to play the full console at any time. And with rumors of a new family of consoles under Project Scarlett, Microsoft is also expected to offer a low-cost console designed for streaming. These are just today's promises, but they represent a bright future for all players.

What games can you play?

Although the underlying technologies of PlayStation Now have been criticized, its main asset is its library. As of the date of publication, Sony has secured more than 600 titles, spanning three generations of console hardware.

Leading exclusives such as Bloodborne, The Last of Us and Until Dawn are in the spotlight, alongside newer versions of third-party publishers. A console is still required for the most recent versions, but PlayStation Now still offers games for everyone.

The number of titles defined for Project xCloud is not yet clearly defined, although Microsoft has focused on the seamless integration process for existing Xbox One titles. By leveraging a powerful existing console library, developers will have the opportunity to join the service by deploying titles without "extra work".

Microsoft has discussed several major Xbox One games for xCloud, including Forza, Halo, Gears of War and other proprietary franchises. The next Red Dead Redemption 2 movie from Rockstar Games has also been named. Although it is not clear if these games will appear in the final product, it's a good start.

Is Project xCloud or PlayStation Now for you?

PlayStation Now is designed as a monthly subscription service, requiring regular payment to continue playing at its library. After a trial period of seven days, you will be able to subscribe to one-month and three-month subscriptions for $ 20 and $ 45 respectively. This is a high price compared to most entertainment subscriptions, but can offer added value to regular users. If you are dying to try streaming games today, the service is for you.

Microsoft has not yet discussed the price of its game streaming solution. However, it already has several subscriptions under the Xbox brand. Xbox Game Pass serves a solid library of downloadable games, and streaming could be a natural extension of this service. Alternatively, if it was standalone, Microsoft would have to justify its price via its range and its underlying technology. Unfortunately, you will have to wait until 2019.

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