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Sony adding download option to some PlayStation Now games

Streaming subscription service will soon let PS4 users download PS4 and PS2 games for offline play as well

Sony is expanding its PlayStation Now subscription streaming gaming service. The company today announced that over the next couple of days, it will roll out the ability to download titles and play them offline instead of just streaming them.

While PS Now is available on PC and PS4, the download option will only be offered on PS4 systems. Furthermore, it will only be added to PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 4 titles. When asked why PS3 title were not included, a Sony representative said, "PS3 games are not available for downloads because they are not compatible to run natively on PS4."

Sony has said "almost all" PS4 games in the PlayStation Now service will be downloadable, noting Bloodborne and Until Dawn among the examples of high-profile downloadable titles.

Unlike streamed versions of games, PS Now downloaded games will be fully compatible with downloadable content and PS4 Pro enhancements. Sony has also said subscribers to its separate PlayStation Plus service will be able to bring any game saves from streamed games over to work on their downloaded games through the PS Plus cloud save functionality.

While PS Now downloaded games will be playable offline, users will need to get their systems online "every few days" to verify their subscription and maintain access to downloaded titles.

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Brendan Sinclair

Managing Editor

Brendan joined GamesIndustry.biz in 2012. Based in Toronto, Ontario, he was previously senior news editor at GameSpot in the US.