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PlayStation Plus launches June 29

E3 2010: $50 annually for Sony's online service grants free games, early demo access, beta invites, themes, and more; content accessible only as long as subscription is active.

LOS ANGELES--For this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo, Sony did a much better job of keeping its big announcements under wraps than last year. However, some info still slipped out early, as the company today announced a PlayStation Plus subscription service very much like one described in reports last month.

Wipeout HD will be the first month's big freebie for PSN Plus.

Wipeout HD will be the first month's big freebie for PSN Plus.

On June 29, Sony will launch PlayStation Plus worldwide, a subscription service that offers gamers access to free games, early demos, beta invites, discounts, free themes, and more. The first month's slate of freebies include a free copy of the downloadable racer Wipeout HD, two PSP mini games, and a handful of premium avatars.

Gamers will be able to subscribe to PlayStation Plus for $50 annually, although those just wanting to try it out can get a three-month subscription for $18. However, all of the content will only be accessible to gamers who keep their subscriptions active, so if players stops paying, they won't be able to play those games or demos any longer.

The current level of PSN service--including online multiplayer--will remain free, just as Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kaz Hirai promised last November, when the premium online plan was first revealed.

For more of Sony's E3 announcements, check out GameSpot's live blog of the publisher's press conference.

87 Comments

  • montross42

    Posted Aug 27, 2010 8:43 pm GMT

    playstation plus is another way for the CEO of sony to remain rich in my opinion and since he's so doing this playstation plus anyway why don't he just buy me a 250gb ps3 slim so i can play games to?

  • zinc123

    Posted Jul 7, 2010 2:06 pm GMT

    If i have some spare money. Yea sure im in, but thank god its optional and doesnt sound that bad of a deal.

  • theKSMM

    Posted Jun 17, 2010 10:42 am GMT

    Of course people are immediately going to compare the (as yet unknown) offerings of PlayStation Plus with XBOX Live! but that misses the point.

    Sony has realized that running an online service costs money (duh) and that you cannot take a loss on sale of the console and the service that supports it without some revenue taken in. Microsoft realized that there was an operational cost associated with XBL up front and just charged people for it. No, it doesn't generate as much good will among gamers as a free service would, but it was probably a better business decision.

    Now Sony is in the same position as newspaper web sites--trying to charge for something that people have expected to be free for years now--and it just won't work. Paying a flat fee for additional perks sounds good if the perks are what I want. But what if I pay $18/quarter or $50/year and only get one freebie that I really like? Maybe I'm better off just buying that one game standalone rather than subscribing to it year after year.

    My guess is that most PS3 gamers will decide "Meh, I'm good with what I have now on the free plan. No need to upgrade." Giving away ice cream and charging for toppings just isn't a viable business plan.

  • Darth_DuMas

    Posted Jun 17, 2010 3:54 am GMT

    I'm confused, you pay $50, help Sony or whoever with beta testing and you get the occasional free game (sounds good) and discounts. But in order for that to be worth it you'd have to really make use of it and download all the free games and buy loads of stuff to make the discount pay for itself.

    Demos... sure, never cared for them myself, but what ever floats peoples boat.

    So in essence, is this not just an elaborate loyalty marketing scheme to make those people who buy it spend more at the PSN store?

  • kamizuka

    Posted Jun 17, 2010 2:38 am GMT

    great deal Sony (good thing it is optional)

  • aswas

    Posted Jun 16, 2010 3:50 pm GMT

    sony should consider increasing the number of countries that support PSN services rather than doing these..

  • sehven

    Posted Jun 16, 2010 1:43 pm GMT

    Did I read that last bit right? If you pay for Playstation plus, get your free Wipeout HD, and then some time in the future, you cancel PP, your Wipeout HD doesn't work any more? Um... screw that.

    Oops. Just found out that's not the case. Guess it's not so bad then, but I still won't be getting it.

  • soilface

    Posted Jun 16, 2010 1:29 pm GMT

    How are the games free? It sounds to me like you're paying for Sony select titles, demos, beta invites, and themes. They aren't free if you pay for them....
    and beta invites and demos were always free in the past anyway, so all you are getting for the 50 bucks is a monthly "free" game and discounts (but not really a discount since u paid 50 dollars for the discount).
    Am I totally off or does this sound like a really bad deal

  • Hvac0120

    Posted Jun 16, 2010 8:49 am GMT

    That's what I'm talking about. Actual content as part of the pay-for service. It sucks that Sony picks the games, though. Still; it's better than making gamers pay for online multiplayer and other services that are free on many other devices. At least there is a "reward" feeling for being a part of this program. I'm probably not going to join this right away. But I'm definitely keeping my eye on this one. I might do the free 3-month trial that they mentioned in the press conference to see if I like it. I'm hoping that this turns out better than Qore (which is part of the service subscription) with its offerings. People are going to sign up for the free games and discounts, not Qore or themes. They need a good balance of both to keep people paying.

  • Jedilink109

    Posted Jun 16, 2010 8:21 am GMT

    Free Gamezez??????? Now THAT'S the way to serve your customers when they're paying for service!

  • OhMyCrabcakes

    Posted Jun 16, 2010 8:05 am GMT

    i havent seen any prices for the uk, but im assuming it would be about £40-45 a year. Why should we have to pay the equivelent of our US counterparts if we dont recieve services like netflix. Granted we have bbc iplayer, buts thats a free service!

  • Rysuken

    Posted Jun 16, 2010 8:00 am GMT

    $50 bucks a year.. same as what I pay for the x-box live service. might as well try it for a year $50 it's only 50 dollars not like its going to break the bank or anything

  • atopp399

    Posted Jun 16, 2010 7:41 am GMT

    Gamers are doing developers a favor with Beta testing. It should not be a paid service.

  • jdale38

    Posted Jun 16, 2010 6:30 am GMT

    paying for beta access??? not able to keep free demos and games if you're not active??? this sounds like something for the hardcore gamer...THANK GOD sony has included the hardcore gamer in their equation, unlike the other 2 (well nintendo has really shunned the hardcore gamer a long time ago)

  • marcuspkz

    Posted Jun 16, 2010 4:19 am GMT

    dammit people support sony!!

  • coruscant

    Posted Jun 16, 2010 4:12 am GMT

    If you read the EU's PSN blog on this you will find in the comments that they've clarified that IF YOUR SUBSCRIPTION EXPIRES THEN YOU STILL KEEP THE CONTENT YOU'VE RECEIVED.

  • richioso

    Posted Jun 16, 2010 2:40 am GMT

    I like the Beta access but besides that not really interested for now.

    I'll stay with the free service.

  • Ravenlore_basic

    Posted Jun 16, 2010 12:05 am GMT

    I player will still be free and on PSN =^) ... they still need to have something to make it better. They should have it so its faster and better conection