Plex launches new Plex Arcade feature

Plex has announced yet another new feature to its personal streaming software. What has already been embraced as the best option available for personal media servers/libraries, has gotten much more interesting with the inclusion of Plex Arcade.

Plex Arcade is a partnership and integration between Plex, Parsec (a low-latency streaming technology), and Atari (a brand that every generation of gamer can recognize). With it comes the ability to stream dozens of classic titles from your Plex server. No matter where you are in the world, you’ll be able to tap into some of your favorite retro titles.

Of course, with such partnerships comes licensing and other legalities which does mean that it comes with a monthly subscription cost that is separate from your Plex Pass subscription. Consider it as having access to Atari’s steaming services but through your own private Plex server. You still have to pay Atari for its intellectual property and resources.

The price will be $2.99/mo for Plex Pass subscribers and $4.99/mo for everyone else. So Plex Pass subscribers do get a discount, thus those Plex Pass perks continue to reel in.

Plex has pointed out that this is a work in progress coming from Plex Labs. So there will likely be a bug here or there that needs to be squashed, but you can be assured that they will be hard-focused on this based on everything they have accomplished thus far.

Right now it only supports the following Plex platforms: Android (mobile and TV), iOS, tvOS, and Chrome. It will also only function on Windows or macOS server installations (for now). You can use any Bluetooth or USB game controller that works with the device you are logged in from (including keyboards). This includes the PS4 and Xbox One controllers.

It also supports the ability to add your own ROMS and emulators, which makes for a huge feature. Plex may end up taking the place of RetroArch (only much less buggy). You still have to subscribe to make use of this feature though as it does require Plex Arcade’s platform to work.

So log in and game out as if you were part of the next chapter of Ready Player One.