The Future of Remote Gaming: PSPlay and XBXPlay Revolutionize the Way We Play
Remote gaming, as we know it today, has been around for over a decade. Back in 2006, Sony introduced the feature that allowed players to stream console games to other devices through PS3 and PSP. While remote play between PS3 and PlayStation Vita didn’t fulfill expectations, the dream was realized with the release of PS4.
For some, remote gaming is a given, but for those who can’t always play on their TV or prefer the comfort of their own bed, it’s a real treat. Last year, Sony released the PlayStation Portal for this very reason. Despite varying experiences with dedicated remote play devices depending on internet speed, its $200 price tag made it one of the most sought-after holiday gifts. If you don’t have one yet, check out our guide on accessing the PlayStation Portal.
While dedicated remote play devices can be convenient for some, others prefer to use their smartphones, which makes sense since everyone carries a phone with them, even the cheapest phones have better specifications than the PlayStation Portal. Interestingly, Sony designed the PlayStation Portal with Wi-Fi 5 instead of Wi-Fi 6/6E or even Wi-Fi 7, even though the PS5 offers Wi-Fi 6.
That’s where handy controllers like the BackBone One, Razer Kishi V2, and other top phone gaming controllers come into play. However, remote gaming on a smartphone has its advantages when using official Sony or Microsoft apps. Fortunately, I’ve discovered an app created by a different developer that has resolved my biggest issue with remote gaming. And the best part? It’s only $7.
Enhancing the Remote Gaming Experience
If you want to enhance your remote gaming experience, you’ve probably heard of a small app called PSPlay, created by Stream Game Dev. If you haven’t, this app, created by a different developer, offers many features missing from the official Sony app. PSPlay works on both PS4 and PS5. Unfortunately, there is no official version for iOS yet, but that could change in the future as Apple plans to support alternative app stores.
While Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S don’t require it, as I’ll explain below, the same developer has also created an Xbox version called XBXPlay at the same price. Similar to its PlayStation counterpart, this app adds new features such as 1080p support and Picture-in-Picture mode.
While using these apps is not mandatory, they have personally made remote gaming much easier for me, and you’ll likely notice the difference once you try them.
Bring Your Own Controller
If there’s one thing Sony loves, it’s limitations. One example is that you still can’t wirelessly use the DualSense or DualShock controllers with built-in Bluetooth for remote play on the best Windows laptops. You can do it on a Mac, iPad, or Android device, but not on a personal computer.
As for remote play on mobile devices, until recently, you were limited to using Sony controllers. However, this situation has changed with the introduction of the BackBone One and other new gaming controllers for mobile devices. But what if you have something like the GameSir X2, as shown above?
I found myself in that exact situation in 2020 and that’s when I discovered the PSPlay app. This program not only offers improved remote gaming experiences but also allows for the use of any controller, including the best PC gaming controllers that are also compatible with Android devices.
Sony has now started collaborating with mobile gaming controller manufacturers to ensure their devices work directly with the official remote play app. However, it hasn’t always been that way. By installing the PSPlay app, I managed to overcome these limitations. Recently, I also discovered another hidden feature in both this app and XBXPlay that helped solve my biggest issue with remote gaming on modern smartphones.
Bidding Farewell to Black Bars
While televisions have maintained the same 16:9 aspect ratio since the introduction of high-definition (HD) in the 2000s, smartphones haven’t. A few years ago, most smartphones had a 16:9 aspect ratio, but now many have a 21:9 aspect ratio, just like ultrawide monitors.
This works perfectly fine for apps that fully utilize the larger screen size, but the same can’t be said for video content on leading streaming services or cloud gaming platforms. Have you ever watched a movie or show on Netflix or a video on YouTube and instead of the content filling the entire screen, you had black bars on the sides? That’s because the content you’re watching or even the game you’re playing has a 16:9 aspect ratio, while your phone has a 21:9 aspect ratio.
When streaming the best PC games from the Steam system to a smartphone, you’re less likely to encounter this issue since many computer games already support the ultrawide format. However, PS5 and Xbox games are limited to a 16:9 aspect ratio, and we don’t expect 21:9 games to appear on consoles until the best televisions start resembling widescreen monitors.
If you’re bothered by the black bars on the sides of your screen while remote gaming on PS5 or Xbox, you’re in luck—both PSPlay and XBXPlay offer a solution to this problem. It’s not a perfect solution as the remote play app can’t change the aspect ratio in games, but it does fill your phone’s entire screen.
Frequently Asked Questions About Remote Gaming
- How long has remote gaming been possible?
Remote gaming has been possible for over a decade since Sony introduced the feature in 2006. - What devices are available for remote gaming?
There are several devices available for remote gaming, such as the PlayStation Portal, high-end smartphones, and phone controllers. - Is the PlayStation Portal still a popular device for remote gaming?
The PlayStation Portal has been one of the most sought-after holiday gifts, although availability and internet speed can impact user experiences. - What are the alternatives to the PlayStation Portal?
Alternatives to the PlayStation Portal include phone controllers like the BackBone One and Razer Kishi V2. - What features do the PSPlay and XBXPlay apps offer?
The PSPlay app offers numerous features missing from the official Sony app, while XBXPlay provides similar enhancements for remote gaming on Xbox.
The source of the article is from the blog maestropasta.cz