Sony announced it would be merging PlayStation Plus and its streaming service PlayStation Now into a single subscription service to be launched in June and called PlayStation Plus.
The company is revamping its existing gaming subscription service to gain a competitive advantage against Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass and promote its PlayStation 5 console.
The upcoming service will have three subscription tiers — the PlayStation Plus Essential, the PlayStation Plus Extra, and the Playstation Plus Premium.
Users opting for the PlayStation Plus Essential basic package will be able to purchase two free games a month and access an online multiplayer for a monthly fee of $10.00.
PlayStation Plus Extra is a medium-tier package offering the same benefits as the basic package plus 400 PS4 and PS5 titles for download. This package is available for $15.00 a month and is considered to be in the same league as Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
For $18.00 a month, PlayStation Plus Premium users will have access to an additional 340 titles compared to Extra. Moreover, they will be able to play certain PS2, PS3, PSP, PS4, and PS5 games online.
The COVID-19 pandemic gaming statistics prompted significant market players in the gaming industry to rethink their business models. While Xbox Game Pass is currently counting over 25 million subscribers, Sony is acquiring big and small game studios and boosting its portfolio. The company’s objective is to increase its user community by offering a vast selection of top-quality titles.
