Sony has long been known for allowing games to be played online on their PlayStation systems at no extra cost to gamers. Online multiplayer games, such as those within the Call of Duty franchise, were free to play once someone bought the game license themselves. This was very different from how Microsoft ran the Xbox’s online features, which paid extra (monthly) fees.
This all changed in 2013 when Sony announced the PlayStation 4 along with a brand new PlayStation Plus subscription that would be required for players who wanted to play online with their friends. At the time of release, the subscription was available in three different price ranges: $9.99 for a month, $17.99 for three months, or $49.99 for a year. With this subscription, PlayStation players would have unlimited online access to every game they owned, as well as some additional exclusive “PlayStation Plus” offers.
Over the past nine years, PlayStation has moved little from its original subscription model. In 2021, the price points were even slightly increased, with a month costing $9.99, three months $24.99 and an annual subscription $59.99. Players with a coupon can purchase an annual subscription during Black Friday for just $39.99, saving them an additional $20 annually. This subscription would get players three free monthly games, including major titles like God of War or FIFA 22, as well as online play and game discounts.
On June 13, Sony launched an “all new PlayStation Plus” that is divided into three separate membership tiers. Each tier contains more features than the last, but the added benefits also come with a price increase; for serious gamers, the higher price may be worth it in the end.
The new PlayStation Plus is divided into three separate tiers, all set at different price points:
First Level: PlayStation Plus Essential
PlayStation Plus Essential is the cheapest option and it is the original PlayStation Plus that gamers have had since 2013. The subscription gives players access to online play, free monthly games, exclusive member discounts, cloud storage and more. PlayStation Plus Essential also comes with the brand new PlayStation Plus Collection, which allows PS5 players to play a curated selection of PS4 games at no extra cost. This tier sticks to the original PlayStation Plus pricing, with a month costing $9.99 or $59.99 all year. This version is aimed at casual gamers — those who have played online and have no need for additional games or benefits.
Second Level: PlayStation Plus Extra
PlayStation Plus Extra is the middle option and will cost you $14.99 per month or $99.99 for an entire year. These price points may already feel a bit high for those who were used to paying the Essential price (especially those who were used to getting the Black Friday deal) and don’t feel the need for more gaming. But PlayStation Plus Extra comes with a handful of cool perks.
The biggest reason to purchase the all-new subscription service is its game catalog, a vast collection of games that are free to play for subscribers. While some are still exclusive to the Premium subscription, there are still plenty of options for those that fit the PlayStation Plus Extra tier. Some games that may affect gamers include Bloodborne, Fallout 4, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Uncharted 4. These are just a handful of popular games that showcase the variety in the catalog, and gamers are encouraged to browse through all of the games on offer before purchasing. their purchase.
And on top of that, there is one more addition to the level: additional members get access to the Ubisoft plus collection. This is a very different service that has been available to PC players, offering them hundreds of Ubisoft titles for the price of $14.99 per month. This partnership with PlayStation is reminiscent of Microsoft’s ongoing partnership with Electronic Arts, giving Xbox Game Pass subscribers automatic access to EA Play.
Third Tier: PlayStation Plus Premium
The highest tier of the service is PlayStation Plus Premium; this tier costs $17.99 per month or $119.99 per year. It is unknown if the Premium or Extra tiers will have subscription deals later in the year once the holiday season kicks in. The price may seem extreme, but the benefits of this service are extensive. Not only do PlayStation Plus Premium members get access to all the things the previous two tiers get, but they also get access to a much larger games catalog, the ability to stream games in the cloud, and in-game trials for new and upcoming games. .
One of the biggest selling points for the Premium subscription is the Classics catalog. This is a catalog of some of the oldest PlayStation games (and many PS3 games!), which is a great offer for those who missed the games in the past. When the PS4 was released, Sony stated that it wouldn’t be able to play backwards, meaning you won’t be able to play games from previous systems on the new ones. When the PS5 came out, Sony made a small adjustment to this, making PS4 games compatible with the latest system. However, this still doesn’t help those who miss the PS3 or earlier games. This is where the Classics catalog comes in handy – it even has a handful of PS1 games. Premium subscribers can stream a selection of PS games via the cloud to a compatible PC, allowing gamers to play at almost any time, regardless of where their system is located. And Premium members get access to trials; major companies give players early access to demos of new games, create a testing community and reward the highest paying players with some of the most exclusive content.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a casual, dedicated or extreme gamer, there’s something for you in the all-new PlayStation Plus subscriptions. Gamers can compare the three options directly on their website before making a decision. Have fun gaming!
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