PS4 Games Coming To PS Now, Might Mean Red Dead Redemption 2 Will Stream On PC

[NewsBot]

While it’s far off from being an absolute confirmation, a recently announced change coming to the PlayStation Now streaming service might be an indication that Red Dead Redemption 2 will be playable on PC at some point. Just not via a proper port of its own.

The PlayStation Now service is a subscription-based streaming library which allows subscribers access to a given number of PlayStation 3 titles on either their PlayStation 4 consoles or on a PC (with a dualshock controller hooked up). The service has a rather large and expansive library and subscribers are given access to all of the games – you don’t need to buy them on top of paying subscription fees.

While this offers a legitimate way of playing PlayStation 3 exclusive releases without the PS3 console itself, many users who have accessed the PS Now library on PC often report dodgy performance. Very high-end internet connections, both in terms of speed and stability, are needed to stream the games decently, and even then the best you’ll get is 30 FPS and dodgy controls with some limited functionality.

Red Dead Redemption is included in the PlayStation Now service, thus marking the game’s debut on PC. This is a less than stellar way to play the game, however, it’s the only way to go if you want to play Rockstar’s Western epic on your PC.

Yesterday though, the PlayStation Now library was expanded with PlayStation 4 titles, none of which were available through the service previously. This move pushed said library past the 500 game mark, but more importantly, it holds much potential for the future and is relevant for Red Dead fans for two reasons. One good, the other bad.

First of all, based on the fact that Red Dead Redemption was made available through the service and that Rockstar and Sony have some kind of deal going on, Red Dead Redemption 2 will likely make its way to PS Now eventually, and thus it will be playable on PC. This is the good news.

The bad is that it could mean a proper PC port of the game will never arrive.

This deal the two companies have with one another is likely the reason why the previous title isn’t coming to PC amid the hype for the sequel. With all the buzz around Red Dead Redemption 2, releasing a remastered version of the 2010 installment on PC would have made ludicrous amounts of money.

People are already pining for new Red Dead content, especially with the delay that was recently announced, and there really wouldn’t be any better way to cope with waiting than by playing a graphically upgraded Red Dead Redemption running on PC.

However, the fact that PS Now is involved means that Red Dead Redemption will definitely never make it to PC as a proper port, and possibly Red Dead Redemption 2 neither.

The reason is simple – the moment an actual port is released, with keyboard, mouse and 4K support, graphical options and an uncapped framerate, everyone will buy and play that, and no-one would use the PS Now version. The Red Dead name has massive recognition and draw, and we suspect many a PS Now subscriber is currently only paying because of that particular game being available.

By having a monopoly on Red Dead games on PC, the appeal of the PlayStation Now service is boosted significantly. And while no details of the actual deal between Sony and Rockstar are publicly known beyond PlayStation 4 players getting early access to post-launch DLC, maybe it contains something about no proper PC port being released while the partnership is still running.

If that’s the case, let’s just hope it doesn’t run forever.

The post PS4 Games Coming To PS Now, Might Mean Red Dead Redemption 2 Will Stream On PC appeared first on RDR2.

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[Skrylaxx]

I can't see everyone flocking to PC over PS4. Maybe PC players and tweeners but the average gamer will not. It would be more likely that they would buy a PC end copy and a console copy. PC end being used for streaming. Think of how easy it would be to stream. This port thing is interesting though.

[VICKSUN]

34 minutes ago, Skrylaxx said:

I can't see everyone flocking to PC over PS4. Maybe PC players and tweeners but the average gamer will not. It would be more likely that they would buy a PC end copy and a console copy. PC end being used for streaming. Think of how easy it would be to stream. This port thing is interesting though.

Streamers and Youtubers will love the port option naturally but I agree about this not hindering sales on Playstation. Even people who mostly game on PC will still likely buy it on PS or XB if their friends play there. It would be a win win for Rockstar. 

[LinXX]

I don't understand why people would get mad over it or not want the game in some shape or form on PC. Like, so many Twitch streamers would be playing the game and supporting it not to mention people on Youtube. It is a win-win. I know there are other capture options for consoles but it would be easier to me to have a more stable option.

[X S]

I see no point to this other than what console can do already: stream games to PC, so this is not exactly any sort of revelation.  For example, I could buy RDR2 on XB1 and stream it to my PC in real-time, so does that make it a PC game?  The same goes for game streaming services.

This is just a silly premise all together.  The whole point of a dedicated PC port is to gain greater graphical fidelity and modding potential, neither of which are available in any sort streaming service.

[Lonestar]

Yeah I'd be curious to know some numbers around the PS Now service... would be hard to believe it's doing well.

[FLIP]

9 hours ago, X S said:

I see no point to this other than what console can do already: stream games to PC, so this is not exactly any sort of revelation.  For example, I could buy RDR2 on XB1 and stream it to my PC in real-time, so does that make it a PC game?  The same goes for game streaming services.

This is just a silly premise all together.  The whole point of a dedicated PC port is to gain greater graphical fidelity and modding potential, neither of which are available in any sort streaming service.

Exactly. This isn't anything groundbreaking. We have had capture cards around for years now for consoles to be transferred to PC and then streamed.