Sony Computer Entertainment's President and Group CEO Andrew House is reflected in the display screen of a PlayStation Vita handheld game console
Sony Computer Entertainment's President and Group CEO Andrew House is reflected in the display screen of a PlayStation Vita handheld game console as he speaks during an interview with Reuters in Makuhari, east of Tokyo September 18, 2014. Sony Corp's game division head said he hopes the unit can raise its profit outlook for a second time this financial year as sales of the latest PlayStation console and subscription services for games and other content far exceed expectations. Reuters/Yuya

PS Vita owners rejoice as their handheld consoles finally get the much-wanted PlayStation Now. The subscription service brings with it a slew of Vita games ready for rental or download.

Joining the library of titles in August are “Dynasty Warriors 8,” “MX vs. ATV Supercross,” “Bomberman Ultra,” “The Last Guy” and, most importantly, “God of War III.” With new games being added, the total comes to over 125 PlayStation Now titles available for rental.

This could be a useful move for Sony as reports show that developers are not willing to support the Vita. Sony has admitted to having trouble getting developers to create games for the handheld, Telegraph reported. Among the issues is the difficulty in incorporating a couple of feature functionalities, such as the PS Vita’s touch screen, rear touch pad, cameras and gyroscope capabilities. The PS Vita is yet to receive an AAA title, and it has a notably lower fan base that its competitor, Nintendo’s 3DS.

One potential way to expand this fan base is through the PlayStation Now. Already released for the PS4 and PS3, PlayStation Now is the new game-streaming service formed from Sony’s acquisition of high-end game-streaming service provider, Gaikai. Dubbed as the “Netflix for games,” the service offers game titles for both the PS3 and PS4, but it has since added the PS Vita and PlayStation TV as one of its devices.

Its open beta launch in October showcased the PlayStation Now as pricey video game rental service. However, since its official premier, it has shifted a $19.99 (AU $27) subscription that also changes the user interface of the service. Despite having a cheaper subscription option, the service is still lacking supporters because of its relatively small library of older games. But, Sony still provides users with a good service by offering a seven-day free trial that also works as a way to see if the user’s Internet connection is compatible with the service.

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