After months of rumors and speculation, Sony has finally revealed the gaming service designed to compete with Xbox Game Pass. It's a combined version of PlayStation Plus and PS Now that will give you access to hundreds of classic and current games, plus new additions every month.
We've been hearing about Project Spartacus since last year, it was the codename for Sony's new PlayStation Plus and the one specifically designed to rejuvenate the 12-year-old subscription service. Sony has now officially revealed what it's been working on, and while it's still called PlayStation Plus, it adds a lot more to the subscription than we've come to know over the years. It finally looks like a true Xbox Game Pass competitor for PS5 and PS4 owners.
Starting next June, PlayStation Plus will be split into three subscription tiers: PlayStation Plus Essential, PlayStation Plus Extra and PlayStation Plus Premium, with the basic version giving you access to what we've come to expect from the current PlayStation Plus subscription with additional games. and extras. with each level.
The main (and welcome) addition to the service is the ability to stream a library of classic PlayStation games. Hundreds of older games will apparently be playable via Sony's cloud gaming technology, though it hasn't yet released a list of what we can expect.
PlayStation Plus Essential
Advantages:
- It provides the same benefits that PlayStation Plus members get today, such as:
- Two monthly downloadable games
- exclusive discounts
- Cloud storage for game saves
- Online multiplayer access
- There are no changes for existing PlayStation Plus members at this level.
Prize:
- United States
- €9.99 per month / €24.99 per term / €59.99 per year
- Europe
- €8,99 per month / €24,99 per quarter / €59,99 per year
- United Kingdom
- €6,99 per month / €19,99 per quarter / €49,99 per year
- Japan
- 850 yen per month / 2150 yen per quarter / 5143 yen per year
Advantages:
- Provides all the benefits of the Essential level
- Add a catalog of up to 400 of the most fun PS4 and PS5 games, including blockbusters from our PlayStation Studios catalog and third-party partners. Bonus level games can be downloaded to play.
Prize:
- United States
- €14.99 per month / €39.99 per quarter / €99.99 per year
- Europe
- €13,99 per month / €39,99 per quarter / €99,99 per year
- United Kingdom
- €10,99 per month / €31,99 per quarter / €83,99 per year
- Japan
- 1300 yen per month / 3600 yen per quarter / 8600 yen per year
PlayStation Plus Premium
Advantages:
- Provides all the benefits of the Essential and Extra levels
- Add up to 340 additional games, including:
- PS3 Games Available Through Cloud Streaming
- A catalog of beloved classic games available in streaming and download options from the original generations of PlayStation, PS2 and PSP
- Provides access to cloud streaming for original PlayStation, PS2, PSP and PS4 games offered at Extra and Premium tiers in markets where PlayStation Now is currently available. Customers can stream games using PS4 and PS5 consoles and PCs.
- Limited-time game trials will also be offered at this tier, so customers can try certain games before purchasing.
Prize:
- United States
- €17,99 per month / €49,99 per quarter / €119,99 per year
- Europe
- €16,99 per month / €49,99 per quarter / €119,99 per year
- United Kingdom
- €13,49 per month / €39,99 per quarter / €99,99 per year
- Japan
- ¥1,550 – monthly / ¥4,300 – quarterly / ¥10,250 annually
For territories where cloud streaming is not yet available, subscriptions will be offered at a lower price.
With this change to the tiered service, you will no longer be able to subscribe to PS Now separately, but will instead automatically become a PlayStation Plus Premium subscriber at the same price you paid before.
In a blog post detailing the updated PlayStation Plus service, Sony Interactive Entertainment President Jim Ryan explained that the changes would be rolled out in phases. "During the June period, we will start with an initial launch in various markets in Asia, followed by North America, Europe and the rest of the world where PlayStation Plus is offered. Our goal is to have most PlayStation Network territories available with our new PlayStation Plus game subscription service by the end of the first half of 2022."
It should be noted that PS Now allows you to stream games not only on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, but also on your PC. Making this subscription a tempting option for PC gamers who have never had access to Sony's back catalogue.
It's interesting how Sony has separated the levels. The Essential tier gets you a few free games per month and access to PlayStation online services, the Extra tier is for people interested in playing only the latest versions of PS4 and PS5, and the Premium tier is for people who want access to PlayStation. catalog.