PlayStation Portal Enhances Cloud Streaming with Beta Updates, Adds Gameplay Capture

One of the standout features coming to the PlayStation Cloud Streaming Beta is game sorting. Players will now be able to organize their game library by categories such as Name, Release Date, and Recently Added titles to PlayStation Plus. This makes it easier than ever to find your next play session or revisit favorite games from the PS Plus catalog.

Another welcomed enhancement is the ability to capture gameplay during cloud streaming sessions. Users can access the Create menu just like they would on a standard PS5 setup—whether that's pulling up the menu, taking screenshots, or recording video clips. According to the PlayStation blog post detailing the update, recorded clips will support resolutions up to 1920x1080 and durations of up to three minutes.

To further improve usability, gameplay will now automatically pause when opening the PS Portal quick menu, entering rest mode via the power button, or encountering a system error message. It’s worth noting that the pause function while in rest mode only lasts for 15 seconds; if the Portal remains inactive beyond this timeframe, the cloud streaming session will disconnect. Additionally, pausing is not supported in online multiplayer modes.

Other improvements include a server queue system for when cloud capacity is full, an inactivity notification feature, and tools designed to collect user feedback. Sony has emphasized its commitment to evolving the service based on player input, suggesting more features may arrive in future updates.

The Cloud Streaming Beta is currently accessible exclusively to PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers. It allows eligible users to stream select PS5 games directly to their PlayStation Portal via the cloud. While the Portal was originally designed to work in tandem with a connected PS5 console, a previous update transformed it into a more independent cloud streaming device. Based on this latest update, it's clear Sony intends to continue refining and expanding the platform over time.

As cloud gaming becomes increasingly integrated into the modern gaming landscape, Sony’s ongoing development efforts with the PlayStation Portal could position it as a competitive player in the space. For now, being able to capture multiple screenshots mid-stream is a small but satisfying step forward.