PlayStation 3 Bounces Back: Sony To Release ‘PlayStation Now’ Streaming

PlayStation 3 is rising from its deep sleep—good news for players still on Sony’s generation 4 console. Early last week, PlayStation Now Senior Director Jack Buser announced on the PlayStation Blog that they are finally releasing PlayStation Now to PlayStation 3 users on May 12.

Although more and more players are coming to the newer PlayStation 4, VGChartz reports that there are still more than 85 million units of PlayStation 3 sold to date, proving that support of the older PlayStation console is still widespread. Sony’s announcement regarding PlayStation 3’s streaming compatibility via PlayStation Now will surely reach millions of gamers the world over. And for those players who couldn’t afford to purchase the hardware upgrade just yet, it is another plus to know that PlayStation Now will make possible the almost-taboo but very-welcome backward compatibility—meaning some PlayStation 4 titles will be available to PlayStation 3 users, thanks to PlayStation Now.

With days before the PlayStation Now release, PlayStation 3 users are encouraged to try out the free 7-day trial. For those who are satisfied with the service, Sony is happy to announce that PS Now monthly subscriptions are now down to $20 a pop. Buser promises that PlayStation Now will be coming to more devices soon, and new games will be added monthly so players who are subscribed to PlayStation Now will always have something fresh to play.

The streaming service will offer over 100 games for PlayStation 3 but as of date, the new titles for PlayStation 3 through PS Now for the month of May are Fat Princess, F1 2014, Sanctum 2, Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce, and Farming Simulator. A full list of the titles available through PlayStation Now could be found at the PlayStation Forums.

As for PS Now coming to PlayStation Vita, Sony has yet to announce a date, but Buser drops a protip at the PlayStation Blog in response to a comment.

Jindo Fox: I hope Vita is next. My PS3 is right next to my ps4 so this doesn’t help me much.

Jack Buser: We’re working on it, so stay tuned! Protip: If you are a subscriber, you’ll be able to access subscription games for free on your PS Vita right now! Just navigate to them in the rental menu…

PlayStation Now is already available for PlayStation 4 as of January, and there are a number of devices that could run the streaming service as well such as the PlayStation TV and select Sony televisions and Blu-ray players.

PlayStation 3 was first released in 2006 and initially, Sony promised its patrons that they would continue support for the device for at least ten years. PlayStation 3 loyalists will be happy to know that Sony is delivering that promise.

[Image via w?odi/Flickr]