Sony is moving forward with a plan to implement Cloud-based game saving that they’ve been considering since 2009, a Kotaku report claims. This initiative aims to enhance the gaming experience by allowing players to access their game saves from any location, provided they have an internet connection. However, Sony is living up to their reputation of being much better at stripping features out of their console than putting them in, since the whole Cloud save thing involves a few catches not everyone may be comfortable with.
PlayStation Plus Requirement
First off, you need to be a PlayStation Plus subscriber because having your game saves accessible from anywhere is a privilege, not a right. This subscription service, which costs a monthly or annual fee, offers various benefits such as free monthly games, exclusive discounts, and early access to demos. By tying Cloud saves to PlayStation Plus, Sony aims to make the subscription more attractive to gamers. They had to make it attractive somehow and I don’t see them offering multiplayer only to PlayStation Plus subscribers Microsoft-style anytime soon.
The PlayStation Plus service has been a cornerstone of Sony’s strategy to build a loyal customer base. By adding Cloud saves to the list of benefits, Sony is likely hoping to increase the perceived value of the subscription. However, this move may alienate some gamers who feel that basic features like game saves should be available to all users, not just those willing to pay extra.
Developer Implementation
But the deathblow to their scheme is probably the fact that they’re leaving it up to developers whether to implement the feature or not. This means that even if you are a PlayStation Plus subscriber, you might not be able to use Cloud saves for all your games. Developers have a well-known penchant for implementing features that only benefit the platform-holder’s premium subscription service and just add development time and expenses, right?
This decision to leave the implementation up to developers could lead to inconsistency in the user experience. Some games might support Cloud saves seamlessly, while others might not support it at all. This could be particularly frustrating for gamers who play a wide variety of titles and expect a uniform experience across all of them.
Moreover, the additional development time and expenses required to implement Cloud saves might deter some developers from adopting the feature. Smaller indie developers, in particular, might find it challenging to allocate resources for this, especially if they are already working with tight budgets and deadlines.
Potential Benefits and Drawbacks
Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of Cloud-based game saving are significant. For one, it offers a convenient way to back up game progress, reducing the risk of losing data due to hardware failure or other issues. It also allows gamers to easily switch between different consoles without losing their progress, which is particularly useful for those who own multiple PlayStation devices.
On the other hand, the drawbacks cannot be ignored. The requirement for a PlayStation Plus subscription means that not all gamers will have access to this feature. Additionally, the inconsistency in implementation could lead to a fragmented experience, with some games supporting Cloud saves and others not.
In conclusion, while Sony’s plan to implement Cloud-based game saving has the potential to enhance the gaming experience, it is not without its challenges. The requirement for a PlayStation Plus subscription and the decision to leave implementation up to developers could limit the feature’s accessibility and consistency. Only time will tell whether these hurdles will be overcome and whether Cloud saves will become a standard feature for PlayStation gamers.
Via Kotaku
Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
