Morgan Haro
Community Manager, PlayStation Digital Platforms
22Author Replies
Oh hey, November. Almost didn’t see you there with all of your fall colors, national holidays, and general autumn revelry. While the temperature may be dropping, Plus is getting ready to deliver some great content. We’re happy to kick off this month with Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition, free for PlayStation Plus members! There’s more to discuss of course, so read on to get info on all the goods.
Don’t have PlayStation Plus? Go to the PlayStation Store on your PS3 or click here to get access.
November 6th PlayStation Plus Update
Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition
Free for Plus Members
This version of the original acclaimed Resident Evil 5 expands on the action-packed gameplay by including 2 extra episodes, one of which features Chris Redfield with series veteran Jill Valentine, along with extra costumes, content, and more. Of course it comes with the complete Resident Evil 5 story; playable solo, or via local or online co-op. If you haven’t tried one of the best Resident Evil titles this generation, now is your chance.
Portal 2
30% off for PlayStation Plus Members (Regular price: $19.99, PS Plus Price: $13.99)
One of 2011’s best titles and on multiple ‘Game of the Year’ lists, Portal 2 is coming to PSN and is coming in at a steal of a price for Plus members. Navigate ground breaking environment-based puzzles based on moving your character through a series of self-generated portals while experiencing the game’s outstanding story. This release also coincides with a patch for the game that enables PlayStation Move support as well!
Portal 2 In Motion
30% off for PlayStation Plus Members (Regular price: $9.99, PS Plus Price: $6.99)
So you wanted more Portal? PlayStation Move owners get the exclusive slice of cake with Portal 2 In Motion. The new addition to the series introduces new gameplay mechanics; including scaling and rotation of objects as well as portal surfing. These new abilities are all required as the player progresses through an increasingly challenging set of test chambers, but require new thinking to solve.
When Vikings Attack (Cross-Buy on PS Vita and PS3)
30% off for PlayStation Plus Members (Regular price: $9.99, PS Plus Price: $6.99)
Another PlayStation Network exclusive; this dynamic adventure features fast-paced battles pitting up to four co-operative players against the Viking hordes, and maniacally competitive “Versus” arenas where players can test their skills against friends. With online cross-platform play, and a certified Cross-Buy game where buying it on one device entitles you to downloading it on the other; Plus members will be getting the best deal on this one-of-a-kind PlayStation experience.
ABSOLUTE SUPERCARS (Only available in US)
20% off for PlayStation Plus Members (Regular price: $9.99, PS Plus Price: $7.99)
If you’re looking for an accessible racing game that still beats with the heart of some of the world’s audacious supercars, look no further. From Ferrari, to Pagani, to Aston Martin and McLaren, there’s a car for everyone and a series of stunning tracks to race them on.
It’s a jam-packed lineup this week, and there will be plenty more to come throughout the month. Before we go, let’s take a look back on some of the content we released in October and get your thoughts on what hit you the best.
[poll id=”24″]
Check back next week where we’ll have a puzzling new addition to the Plus family. Until then, I’ll see you in the comments!
Because I asked the question yesterday (page 4) when I saw this blog post in my rss reader. Looking back at the time i posted the comment it hasn’t been 24hrs. I just found out from someone who msg me on psn saying that it’ll be available at 3pm est. As i recall Blitz didn’t show up till 2pm CST for me. I work all day and a good portion of the evening so by the time i get home te game should be available to download
I’ll be looking forward for the next upcoming FREE games…because as an RE fan I already have RE5 Gold Edition in retail version its been years…BTW for those who never played…its a great chance…RE5 is the best in the series,really its a great game..a lot better than the fail RE6.
VITA needs more support = more games and apps. If PS 3 have free games why VITA havent :(
As a VITA owner I feel disapointment PS STORE have a lot to offer but didnt do anything about it, a few good deals but thats it nothing else.
I really hope that Guilty Gear XX Acent Core Plus is included with this update!! Cause I’ve been really waiting for this game to drop….please let it be included with this weeks update!!! -Prays hard and waits.-
Still. Fail!!! i don’t see why you have not released GT1,GT2 for PS0ne classics. Damn c’mon man. Man up and release them already. No reason why it should not be on this list this week. Put hey I only pay for plus but still not being heard.
The problem with PlayStation Plus is that it attempts to squeeze so many gamers under the same umbrella. The only aspect of this membership program that separates members from non-members are the deals, early access to titles/betas, and above all else- the free games. That’s it. And yet, because of that it is a fundamentally flawed program. As you know, so many of us vary in our tastes and gaming libraries. This is not news. So out of the gate when Plus launched I had my suspicions on how Plus would cast an umbrella large enough to accommodate all of us. After all, what is the benefit of offering me a free game if I already own it? Etc. This has happened to me countless times since launch. And to a lesser extent, what if I don’t like a certain genre of game offered? I am left with no recourse but to accept it. Etc.
Now, initially I thought the above issues that have plagued Plus since it launched would simply reflect the growing pains of a program that first stumbled out of the gate. But Plus has been around for a while now, and I’ve the perspective of being with it from the very beginning. In fact, I would label myself quite the loyal PlayStation gamer (still gaming on my launch phat console), to the point where I held faith in the company that it would work diligently to iron out the kinks inherent in casting such a large umbrella around so many different users. Instead, the most loyal of us are getting pressed to the edges of the umbrella. And I’m getting tired of being rained on, guys.
The problem with this program is that it is incredibly short-sighted. It serves only the needs of members on a month to month basis. It has no long term memory, nor does it offer a future that seems to take in account gamers such as myself. It is too often incredibly self-serving a service, continuously stumbling as it blindly serves it’s needs while rarely seeing passed the edge of it’s nose. But criticism is useless if an alternative method of moving forward isn’t provided. So let’s delve into that…
What lies passed the Plus nose edge is a system that offers an in-store credit to gamers that have previously purchased content now being freely offered. It is the ONLY recourse aside from outright canceling/not renewing Plus membership for loyal gamers that have already purchased content now offered at a discount or for free. If it is already in our libraries and linked to our accounts then we should receive a voucher that can be redeemed for the price we previously paid, or even the price now offered by the title in the store. Something. Anything.
What Plus effectively does is inhibit me and gamers like me from buying new titles at full price, when there is the very real possibility that it will be discounted in the near future. Such an example took place last week with One Piece: Pirate Warriors. Now I know those gamers would were suckered into buying it at full price were encouraged to phone Sony customer service for a refund, but why can’t the Plus membership do so for all titles it offers? If you want life long members to remain loyal then stop slapping them in the face by offering them games that are already in their libraries.
Today offers members Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition for free. *sigh* For many this will be a great addition to their library. But for me, a guy that owns the game, beaten in two years ago, and has the platinum trophy for it as well, it does nothing but make me question why I’m a member to begin with. This is not the first time a title is being offered for free that is already in my library. Or worse is when a title is offered to Plus at a discount only to have it become free later on? What kind of a joke is that? One need only look at Payday: The Heist to see how short-sighted and flawed this membership program continues to be. In the past, Plus members were offered a 20% discount on the “Play” titles. As a loyal PlayStation customer I pre-ordered all titles and received Payday for free. A year ago. Now it is being offered to me for free again. Wait, what? How am I supposed to feel about that, Sony? You are effectively punishing me for being loyal a year ago, and you continue to punish my loyalty for maintaining my Plus membership now.
What other titles should I NOT buy now that will eventually be free? The fact is you can’t likely tell me because you don’t know. And THAT is the point. You don’t know what titles Plus will eventually offer, yet you sell memberships that are a year long! Only by offering loyal gamers the recourse of receiving a store credit on titles they already own will you effectively silence most of the criticism leveled at you. Criticism that will ONLY GROW as more and more gamers realize that titles being offered are already in their libraries.
Try to see passed the edge of your nose, Plus. Try! You’ll see that the most loyal customers you’ve got are being burned.
The only thing that will alleviate all the headaches is for PlayStation to finally live up to their “Plus” name by enabling gamers to receive in-store credit on games offered for content already purchased.
I think it’s perfectly valid feedback. There are operational, logistical, and financial hurdles that keep us from implementing some of the ideas you talked about, but I think they’re sound and personally, I have not been oblivious to the nature of where this feedback comes from. In terms of the content feedback, I can see how the updates might be hit or miss, depending on how much or how little gaming you do. For most, it’s a hit, for some, it’s a miss.
I think we’ve come a long way from where we were. The passion you guys have for the program has also grown; these Plus post comments didn’t always get up in the near-double digits in terms of page numbers, so that’s a sign right there too; (very few posts on the blog regularly get that comment traffic, if any). But there’s still plenty of room to improve and make the service better, and it’s the feedback that you guys leave that will enable us to get there. Long story short, I’m aware of where you’re coming from, and am reviewing some discussion options with the teams; but can’t promise anything at this time. But thanks for writing, it (and everyone else’s feedback) is never ignored. 2
If you hate it so much then stop paying for PS+. The reason for people to purchase PS+ a year at a time if for people like me who live pay check by paycheck. Who may not be able to afford a monthly bill. yet there are times we can afford a 1 yr payment when we some extra cash. The problem with your entire rant/article is that there is no possible way for them to satisfy everyone nor is it possible for them to know who do and don’t already own the game or have played it.
I personally love + and I purchase a yr at a time. This is my 1st year and I just purchased my first ps3 this past march. I love + because I cant afford to go out and purchase tons and tons of games and every new game that comes out. I have a ton of bills and a true social life. Gaming is a spare time luxury. I’m always willing to give any game that comes out free for plus a full play through. I may not love the game and turn into a die hard fan. But I appreciate the experience I have for only $50/yr.
My brother is in a similar situation. hes married and has 5 kids and trying to get into their own house and move out fo their apartment. He doesn’t have the time to pay close attention to every game that comes out or even afford to buy new games all the time. He has to take care of his family, go to all their events, enjoy quality time with his children and wife. When they are asleep or at church the only time he gets to enjoy any video games. So, he has plus so he is assured that he will always have something new to play at least every month. with a low cost of $50/yr. When I hear all the spoiled rich people who can afford to continuously purchase new game along with plus or XBL member ship and they constantly complain. It’s rather upsetting cause they haven’t dealt with what its like to not be able to afford your favorite hobby. Also, a majority of people don’t understan the legality, licensing, etc behind each game they give for free. Nor do they understand how much the developers lose money when games become free on top of the cost to develop a game.
So all your rich people including you who obviously can afford to purchase and game you want and pay for plus and do nothing but complain about a service that is not tailored just for you but for everyone and that it’s impossible to satisfy every single person no matter how loyal of a fan you are. Just appreciate what you have and recieve and just have fun.
I got an idea for PS+ that might work to give a lot of people what they want instead of crying they don’t like shooters or others that won’t like RPG’s…
Just examples, not saying these are good mixes or whatever, but you get the idea. You can chose either one genre, or a mix of them. Choosing one genre gives you free games only within the genre, select a mix and Sony will give a more balanced number of games over all those genres.
Oh and also: PS+ can autodetect what games are on the subscribers list. If for example RE5 Gold is already on there, it automatically gives another/2nd choice game.
Playstation has always said that Plus is not for everyone, it seems that you may fall in that area of not for you.
I myself got plus due to lack of work and was tired of losing money on trade-ins for newer games so now I get free use games every month, even if I dont like them at least they are there. So Plus works for me.
I don’t hate Plus, so don’t put words in my mouth. It is a fundamentally flawed membership program. I have legitimate concerns.
I do not begrudge anyone that enjoys it, as there are many benefits to getting discounts/free games.
Your personal financial situation is not relevant in that my personal financial situation is not relevant. Being loyal does not merely come with the amount of money an individual spends. Regardless of what you suggest, I love PlayStation, which is WHY I want the services to be better- for all of us.
How frustrating will it be when you get a title that you already own, particularly when your means only enables you to get so many games per year. You would and SHOULD be pissed off when you have no other recourse than to cancel.
I urge you to not be so closed minded, and recognize that it isn’t a perfect membership program at all. And suggestions like mine can only help it FOR EVERY GAMER.
I agree that the free games part of plus could be better. They could offer a selection of games and give you the option to choose one. But you cant tell me you don’t get your money’s worth. It’s only $50 a year. If you already have even a quarter of the free games offered then this program isn’t for you. Because you clearly have enough money to buy the games you want. As for your Payday reference, you are talking about a whole year in between those two deals. That is such a long time in the industry. I would much rather pay for a game now instead of waiting a year for it to be free. If it was only a couple weeks I would have a problem. That’s only happened a couple times and I’m sure they will try not to do that again in the future.
Putting credits into your account for games you already own is a horrible idea. You pay them $50 so that they can put even more money into yours? I would love that but I don’t think they would ever do that.
for me plus is good since i can only buy a game once every 3 months or later. I only make about $20 a month. But that is cause i work in Agricultural. i get paid under $4.25 sometimes. i might only make $3 a day for 6 hours of work. Yeah and of course the games could be better, But i liked all the games so far this year. Even the ones in October, For me every game the put on plus i never played. But it seems a lot of people have played all the ones they give out. Now tome that either means there unlucky that time. Or they are buying to many games.
Iit doesnt tak all day to update something as small as the psplus hell my pc updates faster than that i was really counting on the plus for the vita when i came home from work but only to find nothng
I didn’t see the Halloween sale when I first voted. I voted for Payday by default BUT THAT HALLOWEEN SALE WAS AWESOME!!!!!!
DEAD SPACE 2 for under $10?? BEST PURCHASE I’VE MADE ON PSN. That game is beyond incredible. Scariest game ever but it’s so much more than just that, it has the best sound design ever heard in a game, amazing graphics, story, gameplay, everything
I also got Infamous 2 for 2.50. It’s short but a very good standalone game add on for infamous. Best part is the side missions/open world is actually better than infamous 2 in my opinion. I got really addicted to finding firstborn’s out of crowds and killing them. Cool story as well, but it’s really unfortunate how short it was. For 2.50 I shouldn’t complain but in my opinion, no game should ever be less than 4 hours long, and before I played Journey, I would’ve said no game can be under 6hours long and not suffer from being short in length, but of course Journey proves that wrong
Anyway, I want to re-vote damnit. Why does it have to be by IP? I wasn’t signed in when I voted and signing in didn’t help. Change my vote Sony lol
I’ve heard Sony is trying not to just port PS3 games over to the PS Vita, but could you consider the following, which I know has been mentioned before:
Dead Nation for the PS Vita, which would include the Road to Devastation DLC. The Vita game would sync up with the PS3 game, provided the PS3 game has the DLC, allowing for cross-saving. The Vita version could allow for online multiplayer, maybe even between the PS3 and Vita, or even just single player, and also have the same great leaderboards. Dead Nation is an excellent game, and unlike every other PSN game that people want on the Vita, would actually compliment each system nicely instead of just being a simple port. What better game to take with you on the run?
@Strathmore & blaxarbush
I agree with strathmore. I think that the ps+ users are divided now into two major categories. One that only enjoy what it has to offer. Free games, some nice discounts, free trials. And others that keep the game going on besides that. I too don’t have that much money to buy all games when they are launched. But I make an effort for the good ones. So, releasing only one title, without giving us a choice, put us on a delicated position.
On the other hand, that might happen with users that only play on what’s on Plus. For example, you see the Portal 2 big, great discount? Picking it up, right? Don’t know. Because two months from now, it could free (if you pay Plus, of course). So, it’s kind of tricky. And it’s happening more and more.
I know that there are a tons of trouble of giving things for free. People spent their money making it, and for a profit. But, it’s not for free, at all. We are paying for this. Well, maybe sony is cashing in back some of profits cuts they had to make in order to build a strong legion. But I sure hope that there could be something to be done in the future.
Pleasing everyone will never be possible, but at least they could please to their fans a little better.
Does anyone know if this is a single download or if its the game and the dlc as a a seperate dl? I already have RE5 and it would make my life a helluva lot easier to just download the dlc. Thanks in advance :)
I think its time to give RE5 a shot. Haven’t picked up an installment of the series since Resident Evil: Directors Cut. Looking forward to the additional free titles in November! Wish I’d have joined PS Plus a year ago so I could have gotten all the PS1 RE games for free!
Ummmmmm… 6hrs left into the day, WHEN ARE THEY PUTTING THE RE5 on? i would like to download TODAY and play TODAY before i have to goto sleep tonight… i mean come on now.
+TwinDad
Because I asked the question yesterday (page 4) when I saw this blog post in my rss reader. Looking back at the time i posted the comment it hasn’t been 24hrs. I just found out from someone who msg me on psn saying that it’ll be available at 3pm est. As i recall Blitz didn’t show up till 2pm CST for me. I work all day and a good portion of the evening so by the time i get home te game should be available to download
Will DBZ Budokai HD be on ps store 2 day?
I’ll be looking forward for the next upcoming FREE games…because as an RE fan I already have RE5 Gold Edition in retail version its been years…BTW for those who never played…its a great chance…RE5 is the best in the series,really its a great game..a lot better than the fail RE6.
@Welmosca
Me too, my brother and I are pretty stoked for this. We plan on doing co-op online. Neither of us have played RE since the the GameCube.
*licks lips* Mmmm~ can’t wait to get my hands on Gold Edition. It was a good thing to wait it out!
VITA needs more support = more games and apps. If PS 3 have free games why VITA havent :(
As a VITA owner I feel disapointment PS STORE have a lot to offer but didnt do anything about it, a few good deals but thats it nothing else.
I really hope that Guilty Gear XX Acent Core Plus is included with this update!! Cause I’ve been really waiting for this game to drop….please let it be included with this weeks update!!! -Prays hard and waits.-
Still. Fail!!! i don’t see why you have not released GT1,GT2 for PS0ne classics. Damn c’mon man. Man up and release them already. No reason why it should not be on this list this week. Put hey I only pay for plus but still not being heard.
@46 & Morgan
How about including an “Other (please explain) __________” choice in all future polls? The feedback data you’d get would be invaluable!
Will definitely be looking at doing something like that.