When Sony announced that the PS4 wouldn’t be backward compatible, many gamers were understandably upset. Nobody wants to leave thousands of dollars of games from last-gen collecting dust. That’s where the newly announced PlayStation Now comes into play.
PlayStation Now has been announced by Sony at CES 2014. It’s essentially a rebranded Gaikai, the cloud-based technology which Sony acquired in 2012 for $380 million. Although the investment was significant, what it brings to the table is convenience and accessibility. At launch, it will allow popular PS3 games to be played on the PS4 and eventually the PS Vita, smartphones, and tablets. In the not so distant future, other game libraries will be published to the service so that consumption of just about any PlayStation title is easily available.
Features such as trophies, messaging, and online play will be fully supported at launch. It’s been structured so that it functions as close to a playing a digital game copy as possible. The only bad news, which is predictable, is that it will require a subscription to access.
If you’re really curious about how it performs, a beta will become available later this month that you can opt-in for. The Last of Us is currently playable on the CES show floor in Las Vegas if you happen to be at the show.
PlayStation Now will make its formal debut during Summer 2014.
CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show; 1/7/14
CES 2014: Day 1 at CES
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Dozens of Pentax cameras are displayed in the Ricoh booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Attendees visit the Fitbit booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Formula E's new fully-electric race car, the Spark-Renault SRT_01E, is on display at the Qualcomm booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Attendees walk by the Samsung booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
The Murata Girl robot is demonstrated at the Murata booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
The Murata Girl and Boy robots are demonstrated at the Murata booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
The Toyota FV2 future mobility concept vehicle is displayed at the Toyota booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
A Sleep Number representative lays on the new Sleep Number X12 bed in the Sleep Number booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
A general view of the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
An attendee uses 3D glasses to view a video demostration at the LG booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Rabbits made with a MakerBot 3D printer are displayed in the MakerBot booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
The LG G Flex telephone is on display at the LG booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
The Toyota i Road three-wheel electric vehicle is displayed at the Toyota booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
A Tesla electric car is on display at the Panasonic booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Panasonic's 4K curved OLED televisions are displayed at the Panasonic booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Toshiba Ultra HD 4K televisions are on display at the Toshiba booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Attendees visit the Fitbit booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Data collected from the Fitbit Force is displayed on a smartphone in the Fitbit booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
A Jawbone Jambox treated with Liquipel is showered with water in the Liquipel booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Motorheadphones are displayed in the Motorheadphones booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
The Burg 16 smartwatch is displayed in the Burg booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Cubify Cube 3D printers are displayed in the Cubify booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Ezio smart watches are displayed in the Ezio booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
The LG G Flex telephone is on display at the LG booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Panasonic's 4K curved OLED televisions are displayed at the Panasonic booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Samsung Electronics Executive Vice President Joe Stinziano announces the new Samsung 105 inch curved UHD television as he speaks during a press event at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the 2014 International CES on January 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs from January 7-10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Samsung Electronics Vice President Nandra Ramachandran is silhouetted against a video presentation as he speaks during a press event at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for the 2014 International CES on January 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs from January 7-10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Sony Electronics President and COO Mike Fasulo speaks during a Sony press event at the Las Vegas Convention Center for the 2014 International CES on January 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs from January 7-10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Attendees walk by the Sony booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Attendees wear special goggles while playing a 3D video game at the Intel booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Attendees watch a 3D presentation at the LG booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Attendees look at the Toyota FCV fuel cell vehicle concept car at the Toyota booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
A 12.2 inch Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro is on display at the Samsung booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Samsung spokesmodel Kai Madden displays the connectivity feature on a Samsung smart refrigerator at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Panasonic spokesmodel Kelly Howard serves coffee freshly made from a Panasonic automatic coffee maker at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
A Samsung curved OLED televison is on display at the Samsung booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Panasonic's 20-inch 4K tablet is on display at the Panasonic booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Panasonic's representative Mark Frieser has an Panasonic 85-inch 4K monitor to view as he demostrates a gaming application at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
Attendees photograph themselves in front of a 4K televison display at the Hisense booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
An attendee uses 3D glasses to view a video demostration at the LG booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
The LG G Flex telephone is on display at the LG booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
A spokesmodel displays the Casio STB-1000, bluetooth enabled, watch at the Casino booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
A Sleep Number representative (L) shows data collected on an iPad to a reporter on the new Sleep Number X12 bed in the Sleep Number booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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CES 2014: Day 1 at the Consumer Electronics Show
The Nikon D4S is displayed in the Nikon booth at the 2014 International CES at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 10 and is expected to feature 3,200 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to about 150,000 attendees. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
