Coming to PlayStation Plus: Zen Pinball, Early Access to Swords & Soldiers, and Red Faction Battlegrounds Beta Access

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PlayStation Plus

Hi everyone,

As we said in our last preview post, there will now be a two week heads up for the exciting content coming to PlayStation Plus subscribers. With that said, let’s get into our packed update for September 21.

PlayStation Plus - Swords & Soldiers

PlayStation Japanese Imports

Our next update is one of our biggest since the launch of PlayStation Plus back in June. Starting off with free games, we have Zen Pinball, Echoes – minis, and Syphon Filter 3. There is also a 50% off sale for Cuboid. After picking up the game, be sure to check out the TikGames-Creat Studios page to grab the DLC for free. Also, we have early access to Sword & Soldiers, an award-winning 2D RTS by Ronimo Games. Finally, a select number of PlayStation Plus subscribers will be returning to Mars for some vehicular combat in the Red Faction Battlegrounds beta. Select users will be notified via an XMB message and email.

Also, a quick friendly reminder to check out some previous content, such as Mushroom Wars, VEMPIRES – minis, and the discount for the Soldner-X: Himmelstrummer and Soldner-X2: Final Prototype Bundle, before it is taken down on September 21.

Not a PlayStation Plus member? Our limited time introductory offer is still available. Get three additional bonus months free when you buy a 1-year package for $49.99. You can find all the details here.

PlayStation Plus Highlight for 9/21:

Free Games
Zen Pinball
Echoes – minis
Syphon Filter 3 – PS One

Early Access Game and Demo
Sword & Soldiers

Free Game Add-on
High Velocity Bowling – Move Compatibility Add-On

Free Themes
Shades of Autumn Theme

Discounts
Cuboid (50%)
Savage Moon (50%)
LittleBigPlanet: Monster Costume Pack (50%)

Discounted PS One Games
PS One Imports
Cho Aniki
Gaiaseed

Free Avatars
LittleBigPlanet Avatar – Hugo
LittleBigPlanet Avatar – Marvin

Last Chance, Get Them While You Can – Coming down on September 21:

Free Offers to PlayStation Plus Subscribers
Mushroom Wars
2Xtreme
VEMPIRES – minis

Discount Offers to PlayStation Plus Subscribers

Soldner-X2: Final Prototype – 30% Off (PlayStation Plus price $9.09, regular price $12.99)
Soldner-X: Himmelstrummer & Soldner-X2: Final Prototype Bundle (PlayStation Plus price $10.79, regular price $17.99)

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202 Comments

4 Author Replies

  • Wonder if they’re limiting the number of subscribers in the beta because it’s all Violition has the capacity to support…

  • How is this the biggest PS+ update since launch? It looks exactly like all of the other lackluster updates you’ve been giving us. The beta of the Red Faction game isn’t even the GOOD Red Faction. It’s some lame downloadable game where you use vehicles. I won’t even bother with this beta even if it’s free. That’s like giving us a beta to a dull sports game. Those who only got suckered into buying 3 months of PS+ should consider themselves lucky. I definitely won’t be resubscribing. PS+ is just as bad as Qore.

  • Beta invites were a big selling point for Plus, and now only a few select members will get in to the Beta!!? Do you really not see the problem with this!!?
    Every time Grace Chen does a Blog post, it makes me regret being a SCEA customer.
    Seriously Grace, don’t you feel that its your responsibility to make sure your customers get the best experience possible?
    Do you have any exscuse for this “select members” stuff?
    Because there was no mention of only a select few getting in to Betas when Plus launched.
    How and why is it ok for SCEA to mislead customers?
    Even if you do have a valid exscuse, you’ll most likely ignore customers, like usual.
    You should feel ashamed of yourself, Grace.

  • It will be a great update for “SELECT” Plus members. I thought beta access was up for all, that is why I got Plus and dropped Qore. Maybe I will drop it all since the bait and switch is not what I paid for…

    Plus is getting to be a real challenge for me to defend. I like the free stuff but it is all games that I would never had paid for anyway.

  • We get one dynamic theme in September, what happened to “monthly dynamic themes?” Otherwise a solid update. Good to see the monthly avatars are back. Major kudos to EU Plus for giving their members the monthly dynamic themes and avatars without a problem.

  • why not PES 2011 demo PS+ exclusive????

    only in europe?? why?? One of the most anticipated games of every year (alongside FIFA)and you miss it!

  • Red Faction Battlegrounds beta. Select users if i dont get access no renewing for me been months since plus came out and no beta you guys can do better than that you own the console for god sake you can ask any dev for a beta.

  • This actually makes me want to subscribe, but I don’t have the money right now..

    Although I didn’t know you cancel old deals.. that sucks.. :(

  • Oh man, SCEA do you guys like complaints or what? I’m a huge Sony fan and you guys are about to lose my $ and support on various issues.

    #1 : “Select PS+ members” ? Are you kidding me? No where did it say select members would get BETA invites, it said members would get access to select betas. You better straighten this out.

    #2 : I’m done buying games when they get released on PSN. I bought Wipeout HD, and Zen Pinball and now they are both here, I’m sure Deathspank will make its way here eventually to. What is the incentive for me to be an early adopter now, just playing the games early? That doesn’t do it. PS+ content is better this time but I’m still not seeing what I hoped it would be or thought it would be.

    meh I’ll let the others fill in the remaining complaints, some are already posted.

  • Sony, I don’t want to complain like everyone else. I hope you realize that the people who pay for Plus are the hardcore gamers. That means that if you only give us free PSN games and Minis and trials of old games, chances are we already own the games or never wanted them to begin with.

    I know it’s early on in the Plus cycle, but I hope things shift to discounts for new content. Otherwise, it won’t take long for someone like me to decide to simply stop buying games and just wait around for sales or freebies. The alternative is to simply not renew next year.

    I’m sure you already know this, and you’re working on it. But just in case you don’t… there it is.

  • @53

    We got 2 themes yesterday and one discounted theme. That’s also September’s content.

  • Ro or Grace, can you guys please explain about the beta? why select plus members and not all..is it for the full year members?

  • im sorry i know this is way off topic but can someone from sony clarify something for me , i bought Eyepet at gamestop today but i cant play the game because it says ps move required , if thats the case then why you guys start selling the product without being ready to be played ? anyways i will wait till next friday when i get my ps move controller but next time sell the product ready to be played , now i have to wait till next friday but i think its just plain wrong to sell a product not ready to be played

  • i REALLY REALLY H-A-T-E THIS 2 WEEKS CRUD. NEXT UPDATE SEPT 21ST?
    AND I’M SORRY, AS MUCH AS I LOVE PS..AND PS+.. I’M TIRED OF THESE PS “MINI’S…. WHAT, SOMEONE IN THE OFFICE SAID, HEY, IF WE’RE GONNA BE UPDATING EVERY 2+ WEEKS.. A LOT OF MEMBERS ARE GONNA BE REALLY IRATE/UNHAPPY AND P’OD.

    HEY WAIT, I GOT IT! YOUR GONNA LOVE IT. READY? LET’S GIVE THEM SOME PS MINI’S!! WE’RE NOT GIVING THEM ANYTHING WORTH A DARNOR EVEN HIGH RATED, LIKE SOME OF OUR OLD PS1, PS2 EVEN SOME PS3 GAMES…MINI’S!! WE GIVE THEM THOSE GAMES FOR FREE, WE ARE “TECHNICALLY” GIVING THEM “VALUE” FOR THEIR MONEY..WE GIVE OUT 20 OR SO MINI’S..THAT’S LIKE
    $60 BUCKS WORTH OF GAMES!! A GREAT DEAL FOR THEM!

    LOVELY

  • I like PS+ and all but I have a weird feeling when getting the free games because were really just borrowing it, we don’t own it cause if we choose to not continue our subscription we don’t get to play the game, but it’s all about money i guess.

    Atleast I can think of it as a long-term rental for these games before u

  • A select number… Once again I’m beaten with disappointment. I feel used and taken advantage of… I will never put even a penny down on any PSN based subscription ever again, period.

  • Thanks for getting me to sign up for PS+ with the promise of Betas only to be told “sike” after I’ve already paid.

    Can I at least get a reach around next time?

    Peace,
    VG

  • After my PS+ expires, I’m going to buy the games i actually liked so I own them, then renew my subscription later in the year.

  • I knew this would happen haha…. I already have Zen Pinball.

    Thats 2 free games I already own =^_^=
    Oh well. I wish they sort of included a choice in the package… or maybe, if you have this game, then you get an exclusive discount on “this”

    Just an idea ^^;

  • relax people,selected people probably means being 18+ and have opted in for special offers email in your account management

  • Oh, forgot 1 other thing. You announced that part of our subscription to PS PLUS, we would get EARLY ACCESS to Beta’s!

    But NOW your saying, ONLY A SELECT FEW, WILL GET INVITES to the Red Faction Beta??

    We’re spent our hard earned money on this and at 1st it was “updates will come now every 2 weeks”, instead of once a week…*(screwed over).. and NOW, the EARLY BETA ACCESS is ONLY for a SELECT FEW?

    WHAT BS. TALK ABOUT GETTING HOSED..COME ON

    and now we’re getting yankled aorund and lied to.

  • Awesome! I loved Swords and Soldiers on the Wii, I will probably have to pick it up again on the PS3. I bet it looks awesome in HD.

  • When the limited time introductory offer ends?

  • i would rather pay for features then have garbage loaded on my hdd

  • Yet another psn game i already own because it has been already discounted 50% in the past, therefore if anyone was interested in tthe game before, they would have already bought it. How about giving us some games that hasnt already been massively discounted before (deathspank come to mind). Less minis and NEWER and BETTER PSN games please. How about some good PS1 games too, like Final Fantasy and Resident Evil.

    In a nutshell, I would gladly trade less content for more premium hasn’t been discounted a ton of times newer content.

  • I only have one question…

    “Free Game Add-on
    High Velocity Bowling – Move Compatibility Add-On”

    Does this mean that the add-on for HVB Move support will be a paid one, or is this just early access sort of thing? I’m glad to see HVB getting Move support but if it comes at a cost what’s the point?

  • lol at these ps+ lately dont know why i subscribe thought you guys was gonna suprise me with good stuff. whats next? update once a months well i guess y’all see after next year when plus subscribers drop to a all time low then you can just move the update to once every 2 months.

  • okay for people who think theyre getting screwed out of the deal with the beta stop and think……

    3-month ps plus…chances are not gonna be invited to the beta since they would go the cheap route to get it

    15-month ps plus….chances are will get it since they shelled out the most.

    This is where the “selected members” comes in bottom line is if ur a 3 month member chances are ur not gonna get it if u are the year member u’ll get the message….u guys picking up wat im putting down?

    U gotta think like a Sony employee which is maybe why me and a few handful will probably understand why they said “selected members” cuz if all the ps plus members get it ur getting screwed either way cuz they shelled 17.99 and u shelled 49.99 think about it just think about it.

  • How will it show on the XMB? Do we need to have “Automatic Download” set to “on””

  • It’s a beta. I’m sure the company will take as many as they can. Sure it is out of PS’s hands on the number. Looks like a great update. Already picked up Cuboid in an earlier update with PS+. Looking forward to playing Zen Pinball. Echoes is a great little game for people to look forward to if they don’t have it already. Also, really appreciate these posts showing what is coming up.

  • Hey, I have a question I hope you can answer Grace. Being Canadian I have a Canadian account, and when I purchase items tax gets added. I’m interested in purchasing a full year PS Plus subscription, but I don’t know if I can just pick up a fifty dollar PSN card or if I need to get more. Will they add tax to the subscription purchase?

  • This is not a bad update, but I still want Betas. I havent got one beta yet!!

  • @59 Yeah I know, but that’s one dynamic theme and the other was static. Each month we are suppose to get “dynamic themes” which means at least two. That’s why I asked about the second one lol

  • Love to get in on some PSN+ beta access. Looking forward to subscribing to that full year; I’m nearing the end of my 3-month “taste” of the service, and I’m convinced enough to continue with it. Looking forward to seeing – and helping – expand the service, guys.

  • Thank You Sony for PlayStation Plus and Lessening to the Gamers and giving gamers more games to play.

    The Only Thing is missing now is more Exclusive features on the PS3 for PlayStation Plus Subscribers to have a more of a reason to have a PlayStation Plus Subscription and to own a PlayStation 3.

    Sony Needs to Give a Bigger Reason to Own a PlayStation 3 with PlayStation Plus.

  • I would like to be in the beta please and I’m not only a fan of PS+, but I’m also a subscriber.

  • I’m in Canada signed up for plus day 1 and updates do not get pushed to my PS3. Both system and game updates I still have to do manually even though I pay for a service that is supposed to push them to my system.

    I called your support line and it’s just automated and gave no option to talk to a customer service rep what can I do to rectify this besides cancelling my PS+ account.

  • BTW, #83, go to XBLN and see what you get for free….ugly avatars. Nobody owes you jack, you little dwarf! Pay or don’t but stop crying in public. GO TO YOUR ROOM!!! PS3 Rulz…OUT.

  • Pretty good stuff coming. To bad I already have Zen Pinball. Syphon Filter 3 is cool but maybe 2 would have been better since we all just got part 1. Hopefully next month
    I’ll get an arcade game I don’t have.

  • It’s a nice update. I don’t like that only certain Plus users get the beta. I really wish we could get some better PSOne Classics. I would like Odd World games, Metal Gear Solid, Spydro, Crash games, MediEvil,etc. There are some really good PSOne games. The PSOne Syphon Filters aren’t that good in my opinion. I’m just saying that I would like some of these games. I also hope that Move Compatibility for HVB isn’t charged for. This update is better than some but the PSOne games need to be better and we want some really early access to some great games like LBP2, KZ3, and Socom 4.

    I’m sure Plus will get a lot better. If some really good online features and Movie rentals and TV shows were added it would really take it to another level. The Video store needs to be added to the mix.

  • @Grace Chen

    There are a few betas going on right now – AC: Brotherhood, Dead Nation & LBP2. PSN+ promised beta entries but so far we have not been granted any beta access.

  • I meant to say “we want some really early *BETA* access to some great games like LBP2, KZ3, and Socom 4.”

  • awesome guys, you definitely need to get updates like this more often :)

  • Where are our BETA access?

  • Good Update :)

  • wow exciting…im gonna download quick…cool

  • I signed up for PS+ b/c I’m not a big spender so I thought I would get a lot of stuff I didn’t have yet, but so far not so much. I already own Mushroom Wars and Zen Pinball so a bad stretch for me. I’m glad most posts on here are whining as it may stop people from signing up and they’ll thank us. I’ll take a big “shut up” from 100 people in exchange for just 1 thank you. I feel confident that many people signed up thinking the games we were going to get each month were going to be new(er). Wipeout, Critter Crunch, Zen Pinball, Mushroom Wars. Are even 1 of these a 2010 game?

    I would guess no PES demo in the US b/c as a country we’re known for not giving a rat’s #ss about soccer. Sad but true.

    I would imagine the beta is a limited number by design and that number is less than the number of PS+ subscribers. While that may suck, I don’t get how people can’t understand it.

  • And finally, it completely boggles my mind that Grace Chen can be on here today telling us stuff 2 weeks in advance but she couldn’t be on here at noon yesterday saying “sorry, it’s going to be a long wait today, don’t hold your breath”. My wife calls it “common courtesy”. No set time, fine, but a little heads up on a really really late update would be greatly appreciated.

  • I hope every beta through this service isn’t going to be like trying to win the lottery.

  • Awesome update. I look forward to it.

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