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New PlayStation Plus: Pricing, features, release date, and more

PlayStation has announced a new three-tiered PlayStation Plus subscription. Here’s everything to know about the new service.

New playstation plus subscription plan
Image: Sony

PlayStation recently announced plans to revamp its PlayStation Plus subscription service. To try and compete more with Xbox Game Pass, Sony has decided to merge its PlayStation Plus subscription with PlayStation Now.

Originally known as Spartacus, Sony announced plans for the new service in March. The company will combine its two existing services into one to, hopefully, provide a more substantial gaming experience for PS4 and PS5 gamers.

This time around, Sony has opted for a three-tiered subscription list that offers different services based on how much you are willing to pay.

READ MORE: Sony announces new, free PlayStation Stars loyalty program

So, what does that mean for the monthly cost of the new PlayStation Plus, and what are the differences between the tiers being offered?

How much is the new PlayStation Plus subscription?

Playstation 5 controller on table dualsense
Image: Unsplash

READ MORE: Will game streaming finally kill single-game purchases?

The new PlayStation Plus will have three different subscription options. The price of the tiers is as follows:

  • PlayStation Plus Essential – $9.99 per month
  • Plus Extra – $14.99 per month
  • Plus Premium – $17.99 per month

If you are not in the US, you can find a full list of prices in other markets on Sony’s website. To learn about what is available in each tier, continue reading.

What is included in each PlayStation Plus tier?

The new PlayStation Plus tiers offer various benefits for gamers depending on how much they want to spend.

The different tiers offer access to online play, a huge list of PS4 and PS5 games to play, and even game streaming. So let’s see what you get with each different tier.

PlayStation Plus Essential

Playstation plus essential tier
Screenshot: Sony

PlayStation Plus Essential will be the same as the original current PlayStation Plus subscription. You will get a few free games every month, exclusive discounts, and access to online multiplayer play.

You will also get cloud storage for saved games. If you’ve already been subscribed to PlayStation Plus over the last few years, the benefits for the essential tier will feel very familiar.

PlayStation Plus Extra

Playstation plus extra benefits
Screenshot: Sony

PlayStation Plus Extra gives you the same benefits as the previous tier, plus access to a library of over 400 PS4 and PS5 games that you can download and play. It will be both first-party titles and popular third-party games.

In fact, Sony has already shared a preliminary list of some of the games that will be available to PlayStation Plus Extra tier subscribers.

The list includes some impressive first-party titles. It includes Red Dead Redemption 2, Marvel’s Spider-Man, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and many more.

And the list of third-party games is equally impressive. The Extra tier will unlock some great games, such as Batman: Arkham Knight, Final Fantasy XV Royal Edition, and Mortal Kombat 11. The Extra tier seems like a sweet spot of the new PlayStation Plus that could become the most popular option.

PlayStation Plus Premium

Everything included in playstation plus premium tier
Screenshot: Sony

PlayStation Plus Premium offers the same benefits as the previous tiers plus a few more. The Premium tier unlocks an additional 340 PS3, PS2, and PSP games.

For us boomers and fans of classic games, the classics included in the Premium tier will be filled with nostalgia. Some of the classics that will be available in the Premium tier, like Ape Escape and Tekken 2, represent the pinnacle of PlayStation gaming in my opinion

The third tier also includes the ability to stream dozens of classic PS3 games on your PS4, PS5, or even PC.

Some of the best games that the PS3 had to offer, including Demon’s Souls, Ratchet and Clank: Quest for Booty, F.E.A.R., and many more, will be available to stream for PlayStation Plus Premium members.

What really sells the PlayStation Plus Premium for me is the demos of newly released PlayStation games. PlayStation will offer demos for Premium members for some major new releases on PS4 and PS5.

Some of the games that Sony has confirmed will be available for demo include Cyberpunk 2077, Tiny Tina’s Wonderland, and Horizon Forbidden West. Premium members will be able to try these games out for two full hours for free before deciding whether or not to buy them.

When does the new PlayStation Plus release?

Playstation plus release date
Screenshot: Sony

In a recent update, Sony shared the official release date of the new PlayStation Plus service. The company plans to stagger the release of the updated service based on region.

Users in Asian markets (excluding Japan) will get first dibs with the service launching on May 23. Then, Japan gets its chance at the service a week later on June 1.

PlayStation gamers in the Americas can sign up for the new PlayStation Plus service starting on June 13. And finally, European markets will have access to the new PlayStation Plus starting on June 22.

The new PlayStation Plus is looking pretty impressive

So there are the pricing, features, and release dates for the new PlayStation Plus subscription. This change represents a major shift in the original PlayStation Plus subscription, with tons of new benefits for gamers.

From game streaming and classics from the PS1, PS2, and PS3 eras to timed demos of new games, the new PlayStation Plus has something for all kinds of gamers. The new subscription is coming soon, and it will be interesting to see how it competes with Xbox Game Pass.

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Staff writer at KnowTechie. Alex has two years of experience covering all things technology, from video games to electric cars. He's a gamer at heart, with a passion for first-person shooters and expansive RPGs. Shoot him an email at alex@knowtechie.com

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