PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers will soon be able to stream PS5 games from the cloud; Discord integration also hinted to arrive with the version 7.00 update

The Sony PlayStation 5 hasn't received much in the way of new features since the 6.00 update, which added VRR (variable refresh rate) functionality and let players run their console at 1440p. The most recent update, version 6.50, added support for the upcoming DualSense Edge controller. Insider Gaming has learned the next major patch (version 7.00) is slated to bring some exciting new features.

PlayStation 5 owners will finally be able to use Discord natively with their consoles and smartphones. Given Discord's de-facto role as the primary communication platform used by gamers, integration with the PlayStation 5 is almost essential. Sony has even invested in Discord's Series H round and could use it to its advantage at some point. It is a bit overdue, given it was announced earlier last year. Furthermore, Xbox has had the functionality for a few months.

The second major QoL update bought forth by the PlayStation 5 version 7.00 update will be the ability to stream PS5 games from the cloud. For now, only PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers will be able to use the feature. While it will come as a relief for space-starved gamers, it adds nothing of value to PlayStation Plus Deluxe subscribers due to lack of PS Now availability. That, combined with the limited selection of retro titles, makes PS Plus Deluxe look progressively worse compared to the cheaper PS Plus Extra tier.

Sony should kick off the PlayStation 5 version 7.00 beta in the coming days. Tom Henderson says it should conclude by January 30, and a stable version will be rolled out for consoles worldwide on March 8. Discord integration will not be a part of the program, which is puzzling, because it forces the average PlayStation 5 owner to beta test what is arguably one of the most important PS5 features of the year.

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