PlayStation Plus: Your Questions Answered

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July 30th Update: The content per month isn’t determined as day one content and is content that will be made available through the month.

PlayStation Nation — First off, thank you for all of your feedback regarding PlayStation Plus. There have been a lot of comments and questions surrounding some of the details of the new subscription service so we wanted to provide a little clarification leading up to its availability on June 29th. It’s a lot of info, but hopefully this helps answer most of your questions.

PlayStation Plus Logo

First off, at launch, PlayStation Plus will offer subscribers the full PlayStation Network game, WipEout HD, PSP minis and PS One Classics such as Fieldrunners, Age of Zombies and Rally Cross, full game trial of inFAMOUS, as well as free monthly episodes of Qore – our high-definition, interactive gaming lifestyle show.

With that, here are the basics of the new subscription service that lives on top of the current PlayStation Network:

  • The current PSN features will remain free. We are still very committed to PSN as a free comprehensive entertainment service and are certainly not planning on reducing this service following the launch of PlayStation Plus.
  • PlayStation Plus is an evolving service and the features included at launch will be:
    • Games
    • PS Store Discounts
    • Exclusive offers on select demos, betas and early purchases
    • Full Game Trial
    • Automatic Downloads
  • (More info on these below)

  • PlayStation Plus can be purchased through PlayStation Store on PS3 as a one-year package or a three-month package. The three-month package is available for $17.99 and the one-year package will be available for $49.99. We will also be offering three additional bonus months for free if you purchase the 1-year package — that’s 15 months total for $49.99.
  • Payment is a one-time fee for either package and can be purchased with any of the current PSN Store payment methods – credit card or PSN Cards.


Here are more details on the features of PlayStation Plus:

Games & Special Offers: As a subscriber, you can expect to get your hands on free monthly PSN games, minis and PS One Classics from the PSN Store. You will be able to download these games during the month they are available until the new selection replaces them.

Once downloaded, the games are yours to keep and play as long as you are a member of PlayStation Plus. If your subscription lapses and then you re-subscribe, the games you have already downloaded will reactivate, so you still have access to them. Additionally, if you delete one of the titles from your PS3, but decide you want to get it back, then you can re-download from the PlayStation Plus section of the PSN Store if the game is still there, or, if the game has expired from the PlayStation Plus section of the PSN Store, you can simply search for it on PS Store and download it again at no extra cost.

Each month there will be dynamic themes, premium avatars and premium game elements/add-ons for you to download and many will be exclusive to PlayStation Plus members only. These are yours to keep forever once you have downloaded them.

PlayStation Plus subscribers will also be given exclusive PlayStation Store discounts each month that are above and beyond the current PSN Store discounts available to everyone. These discounts will range from 20% to 50%, and anything you buy with these is yours to keep and enjoy forever.

Finally, wherever possible we’ll be making sure that members are included in selected demos and beta trials before they go live to everyone else, so you can be the one to tell all your friends about the next big game they ‘must’ get.

Subscribers will get hundreds of dollars of value through the year and, in the first month alone, will receive more than $50 worth of content.

Full Game Trial: Each month we will be offering members the chance to download full games and try them out for a period of time (one hour, unless otherwise stated). After the game trial is complete, simply purchase the game to carry on where you left off. This is a unique way to trial the full game experience and means you don’t have to be restricted to certain levels/game modes when you test out a game.

The games in Full Game Trial will become available to all PS Store users to purchase, but only PlayStation Plus members will have the chance to ‘try before you buy’.

The other great thing about this feature is that you can continue from where you were at the end of the trial period if you decide to buy the game. All game saves and trophies earned during the trial will be unlocked and will show up on your trophy list and your trophy level when you purchase the game. You don’t even have to re-download the game, just purchase and go back to the XMB to access the game.

Automatic Download: Subscribers will be able to set their PS3 to wake up from standby at any time of the day or night, download and install any game updates for the games you have been playing so you don’t have to think about it. Also, select demos and videos will be pushed to your PS3 ready to go. System software updates will also download automatically (manual install still required) and then the PS3 will turn itself off again.

Game updates and demos will also automatically install and the next time you turn on your PS3 you will see a brief on-screen message letting you know what has been downloaded and updated.

Here are some more answers to frequently asked questions from the last blog post:

  • Cross-game voice chat is a feature we know our passionate user base has asked for and we’ll continue to look at as a viable offering for the PlayStation Network.
  • You need to be the master account holder on the PS3 and be over 18 to purchase PlayStation Plus, but other accounts on that PS3 will be able to play the games you download for as long as you are a subscriber.
  • The “free” games you can download each month are yours to keep for as long as you are a subscriber.
  • PlayStation Plus is for PS3 owners as subscribership can only be purchased on the PSN Store. However, some of the content – minis and PS One Classics – available each month will also be playable on your PSP if you have one. Download them on the PS3 and transfer to your PSP, or download directly from the PSP Store or Media Go for PSP.
  • PlayStation Plus is a continually evolving service and we are always working on identifying new partnerships, developing new features and providing new content that our users want. So thanks again for all your comments and questions and please continue to offer more ideas at PlayStation.Blog Share.

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652 Comments

7 Author Replies

  • What about the trophies on these “freemium” games like Wipeout HD? Will they still be there if the subscription expires?

  • Disapointed in the first 3 months of free games I saw on the EU site that I already own 90% of the PSN games. PSNPlus should let ME choose the free game. Instead from what I’ve seen this is just an opportunity to shovel older games. I’ll continue to buy the new games that I want as soon as they come out because I won’t know if they would ever be offered as part of the subscription. This service is better geared towards a new owner and not someone that has been on PSN for 3+ years.

  • I know minis and PS1 classics can be played on the PSP but I hope they throw in some PSP exclusive deals. Sometimes I feel like Sony forgets about the PSP.

  • I have a ton of PSN games, DLC stuff already. Sort of lame its not a ‘pick and play’ service,sort of shafting supporters here.

  • YOU ALL KNOW WHEN TO GET IT JUNE 29th PLAYSTATION PLUS HERE WE COME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • @33 Onlive is doing the same thing. you pay x amount of $ for full access to a game, but you only have access to said game if you continue to pay their monthly fee, being you don’t actually own the disc copy of the game..so this isn’t really that unheard of.

    @21 I dont think its fair to compare XBL and PSN+. they are two different types of services. XBL is more a social subscription being it’s based around the online portion of gaming. while PSN+ is content based subscription. they really aren’t comparable services in that reguard.

  • +1 on the cross game chat. i love having that on xbox n it would be great to have on ps3

    also, voice chat and vit chat needs an update desperately

  • Hmm. It might be worth for it for the themes and the DLC. But I suspect that all I would be interested in might not equal out to $50.

    I’ll hold off.

    Jeff/Susan

    EU blog noted the second month, do you plan to give a sneak peek here as to what the 2nd month would bring? That might put me over the edge.

  • Question about Qore.

    Let’s say that we already have a Qore subscription (since day 1). How will that work with Playstation Plus? Do we get all Qore content as part of being a PSN+ member? Or is the Qore episode only for the first month? Do we still have to subscribe to Qore for future episodes/content?

    If you can answer any of those questions, thanks in advance.

  • If I suscribe and don’t renew my subscription, I won’t be able to play my games again. BUT, if I renew my suscription LATER, will the games be REPLAYABLE or LOST forever ?

  • If I sign up now at $49.99 for the full year, I also get the 3 free months. So 15 months. I understand this. However, my question is in regards to “as well as free monthly episodes of Qore”. So if I sign up at $49.99 now, I will get a 15 month subscription of Qore included as part of Playstation Plus subscription?

    Thanks!

  • We wont get the Little Big Planet for free and forever like the EU PSN+ ?

  • “You need to be the master account holder on the PS3 and be over 18 to purchase PlayStation Plus, but other accounts on that PS3 will be able to play the games you download for as long as you are a subscriber.”

    Does that mean the Plus features will also work for any sub-account holders on that machine as well? And since I have 2 PS3s all those features will work on both?

  • I’m definitely getting the year-long subscription.

  • It’s a real bummer the playstation protection plan isn’t included with this in some form. Would’ve really loved to have a warranty again for my long out of warranty PS3. :(

  • I’m still a little iffy on this one. I think it will come down to if I have 50 dollars burning a hole in my pocket, or not.

  • Free is fine with me! Cant see paying for it but hope alot of you do and continue to better sony by doing so. Its just not viable for me.

  • Make PSN+ cards. You competition has cards, and it is a great idea. I get them on sale and haven’t paid more then $30/year.

    Also I do agree with Hatman. XBL is a social gaming service, PSN+ is content.

  • I’m the audience for something like this. I buy Qore, tons of games, follow the blow, buy most of the Playstation exclusives, etc. The problem is, from what I’ve seen, you’re not offering me much more than I already have. I have Wipeout, are the games in the future going to be new? I don’t want to have all the big parts of Playstation plus be things I already own. I’ll keep an open mind about this, but you’re going to have to give me much better preview of what games and other stuff is coming if you want my 50 bucks. Again, huge Playstation fan. You’re going to have less people purchasing this than you have Qore if you continue being this vague.

  • Any chance you’ll include cloud saving in the future for us to back up our saves? Lack of cloud saving is a deal breaker for me, I would’ve signed up otherwise.

  • QUESTION: Do we have to log into PSN in order to play the content every time?

    What if our internet is down or PSN is down?

  • this all sounds cool any all but to me PSN+ needs more features/content than that to justify the $50. Why not give us access to some select movies once a month in the video store and maybe get playstation HOME involved for some extra free content.
    Also cross game chat should be available to everyone, subscriber or not this is a feature most everyone would like, and should have been available on the ps3 from day one.

  • Would like to see some video content added. Rental tokens in other words.

  • Tsk tsk, I’m not sold on the idea of having to continuously stay with the service to keep playing. I know the risks of having it so people don’t just sign up for a month and quit just for one game they want…

    But if I may, put forth a type of loyalty service; Based on how long they subscribe for, they can keep a percentage of what they like: say a years subscription gets to keep 3 months of stuff to keep even if they fall out of the service. Probably not something you’ll do, but right now, It feels a little expensive, with everything major you’ve pointed out basically just leading to us making more purchases.

  • So full real playstation 3 games are going to be available on the network. Example being InFamous. Will non PlayStation Plus users be able to buy the games from PSN too?

    How big are the file sizes of full games like InFamous? A rough guess would be appreciated.

    I wonder if you’ll bother answering any questions here. I’m going to go ahead and say no. :( Poor community relations ftl.

  • i really don’t get why people aren’t grasping why you wont be able to keep games after the subscription is up. i rent a movie from netflix, i end my subscription, i have to give back said movie… same idea applies here.. not that tough of an idea to grasp

  • so we get a copy/paste from the EU blog post….shows how much effort the US branch is putting on this Plus thing.

    Can we at least get a schedule of the first two months like EU blog did?

  • Please address th Qore questions.
    I’m a subscriber (on my second year now) and I will not be purchasing PS+ unless there is some form of rebate or discount.

    I only started my 2nd year 2 or 3 months ago, why pay 49.99 for duplicate PS+ Qore content I’m already getting which cost me 24.99?

  • i would also like to see an early store update preview, or what is scheduled for the upcoming month on the ps store. This should be available for everyone, not just for psn+ subscribers, but at least consider it. Also video tips and hints of games from the developers themselves would be nice.

  • What if we subscribe to Qore already, any discount? Im very interested, but have paid for qore already?

  • if they added XGC and PS2 playability i would get it but as of now it seems a waste, and i thin XBL is a better pay service..with it u get 8 Party Chat, 1st Demo Exclusive, Netflix Streaming and without a Disc, Last FM, and soon Hulu..

    just putting that out there.

  • No XGC hu… Oh well…

  • Quick question O’ great Sony, I’m already to a subscriber to Qore, and I want to get PS+, but I still have like 11 episodes of Qore left to download, and i don’t want to pay for something I already have, is there an alternative, rather than waiting or suicide?

  • I think you people asking about Qore need to look more closely.

    It says you get free EPISODES of Qore, not a Qore subscription. Some Qore content is, as you know, for subscribers only.

    So PS+ is no replacement for a Qore subscription.

  • Is the Qore stuff included for Canadians?

  • Only way ill pay for the service if i could pick any game from the store every month and few movies also… Please add MMO games to the service like the Agency,DC universe online,FF14 ill pay extra on top of that 49.99…

  • For a post with the title “Your Questions Answered”, it sure doesn’t answer all of our questions.

    I hope someone answers some of the remaining concerns. With the current information, I will not subscribe yet.

  • PS+ needs LOADZ of updatez, seriously =1

  • I think it’s great value, just Qore alone is $24 per year. Add the “rental” of tons of games every month, full game trials, and the stuff you actually keep like avatars, themes, stuff purchased with discounts every month, and then you have the early demos and exclusive BETAS secured. Imagine later this year when they launch the Killzone 3 Beta, don’t you want a guarateed spot there? I sure do. Sign me up!

  • The cross game chat would have sealed the deal for me. I’m not sure if I’ll get it based on the current offerings.

  • Why is it that Sony has been telling us for years now that they are looking into cross game chat? Give us the damn feature already.

  • I already have a bunch of this content. I’m not interested in Plus for content, I want premium services. Where is the cross-game voice chat? Where is the automatic syncing of trophies?

  • I can’t wait for PSN+ anymore! Give me give me!! :D

  • What I’d like to know is how do we sign up for the service? Will there be an update? Is there going to be an icon on the XMB? Or will we have to go the PSN Store to sign up for the service on the 29th?

  • Premium avatars exclusive to PS+? Aww WTF they’re only 50 cents and I can’t even get them cuz they’re exclusive to PS+, way to go Sony that’s like the only thing I care about in the PS Store, the avatars.

  • i really think XGC not being announced has to do with it being a partnership between Sony and some other company, thats not ready to be announced yet. but thats just my take on it. to me its not that really important of a feature for me. i have gone almost 4 years without it. so its no rush for me to get it. but i can see how many people would be interested in it.

  • Nothing worth waste $$$ on. No cross game chat? no thanks. onyl real feature it gives is auto download which is horrible 360 had that and wii has that and it always been useless. I dont want my ps3 sending data to check for updates when its off. Useless feature to add for a sub package lol

  • Not worth subscribing too, Yet.

    Based on PSN UK,

    PSN+ is a Monthly Service, not Weekly.

    PSN+ is very limited, Sony picks the 4 “Rental” Games which I doubt be any Top Classics or Resent Releases PSN Games.

    Only 2 Full Game Trials a Month. The Demo’s are not exclusive and Free DLC will mostly likely be for Older titles.

    Discounts will be selective and is mostly 20% off.

    PSN+ offers nothing in Exciting Features or Incorporate ideas from PSN Blog.

    Sure, Sony could add Features to PSN+ but Sony has proven they also takes Features away!

  • To access content received through PS+ does my system have to be online?

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