TOKYO, Aug 12 — Already available in the US and UK, Sony announced on August 11 that it will be testing its internet-based videogame service Playstation Now in Japan in a limited rollout.

With the games console market having shrunk considerably in Japan over the last few years, Sony is looking to rejuvenate the industry by testing, then rolling out, its Playstation Now service.

The drop in game console interest in Japan (down by 50 per cent in seven years) has been blamed on the rise of high-quality games available on smartphones.

This phenomenon has not occurred in other markets, such as the US, where Playstation Now was successfully launched in January 2014.

Sony Computer Entertainment Japan Asia published a call-out for testers on its Japanese site, which will take place from August 20 to September 8.

Testers must apply for a ‘ticket’ and agree to the terms and conditions. — AFP-Relaxnews