Written by: JM Henning
Sony have finally launched PlayStation Plus, their new subscription service to compete with Xbox’s game changing Game Pass.
Over the last couple of years Sony have placed a lot of focus on hardware upgrades and first party exclusives, while Xbox gambled with a shift in focus to subscription based models. This proved hugely successful for Microsoft and Sony have been left to play catch-up.
This new service will replace Sony’s current PlayStation plus model – which gives players access to 3-4 free games a month, as well as access to online play.
The new service will come in 3 tiers:
PlayStation Plus Essential:
Provides the same benefits that PlayStation Plus members are getting today, such as:
Two monthly downloadable games
Exclusive discounts
Cloud storage for saved games
Online multiplayer access
There are no changes for existing PlayStation Plus members in this tier.
Read more: This War of Mine: how gaming can offer some much needed perspective
PlayStation Plus Extra
Provides all the benefits from the Essential tier
Adds a catalog of up to 400 PS4 and PS5 games.
PlayStation Plus Premium:
Provides all the benefits from Essential and Extra tiers
Adds up to 340 additional games, including: PS3 games available via cloud streaming and a catalog of beloved classic games available in both streaming and download options from the original PlayStation, PS2 and PSP generations
Offers cloud streaming access for original PlayStation, PS2, PSP and PS4 games offered in the Extra and Premium tiers.
The local prices for these services haven’t been announced yet, but we can get an idea if we compare the prices of the existing subscriptions. Currently, the service is R749 for a year in South Africa, and $65 per year in America. The 3 new tiers come in at $60, $100 and $120 respectively, indicating that the top tier could come in at an eye watering R1500 per year for local gamers.
Sony have said that all current subscriptions will roll over to the top tier of the new model, which means, extending your current subscription before the roll out in June, could save you a pretty penny.
