Starting on 22 June this year, PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now are tying the knot, coming together to form one subscription. While still falling under the name of PS Plus, the new service will arrive in three tiers, namely; PS Plus Essential; PS Plus Extra, and PS Plus Deluxe.

For over ten years, PS Plus has been a staple in the PlayStation community. The service offers subscribers free games every month, and the ability to play online with friends. Sony’s other subscription service, PlayStation Now, is less well known in South Africa. PS Now gives players access to a library of PS4 and PS3 games. These are played via streaming. Although Now isn’t offered in South Africa, with the changes coming to PS Plus, we won’t need it.

No fear for your tiers

When 22 June hits, members who already subscribe to PlayStation Plus will automatically migrate to the lowest tier; PS Plus Essential. Memberships will continue as they are, but subscribers will see an option to upgrade or downgrade their subscription at any point in time.

Now onto the tiers themselves.

Essentially the same

First up we have PS Plus Essential. This tier offers exactly the same benefits current PlayStation Plus members enjoy. If you’d like a refresher on what this entails, it’s simple.

Perks:

Monthly downloadable games (usually 2 games for PS4 Players, and an extra PS5 game)

Access to online multiplayer

Exclusive discounts on the PlayStation Store

Cloud storage for downloaded games

The cost of PS Plus Essential will remain exactly the same as it always has. One month of the service costs R120, with three months costs R320, and, best of all, a year costs R750.

Very Extra

PlayStation Plus Extra, as the name implies, this tier will offer all the same perks that PS Plus Essential offers, but with a few extra features added. One extra feature. That extra features is as follows:

Perks:

Access to the PlayStation Game Catalogue, which includes up to 400 first and third-party games.

While this may not sound like much, you may change your mind when you hear some of the games included. Games such as Returnal, Marvel’s Spider-Man (Miles Morales is in here too), God of War, and Death Stranding.

How much is this tier going to cost? It’s actually not too different from Essential. One month will cost R180, with three months being R520, and the year adds up to R1240. Going with the year option does feel expensive, but at the end of the day, it saves your wallet almost a grand.

Feeling Luxurious?

We’ve made it to PlayStation Plus Deluxe. The most expensive tier of the three. Of course, Deluxe members will receive all the benefits included in the previous tiers. There is also a little bit more on offer.

Perks:

Adds an extra catalogue of games from the original PlayStation, PS2, and the PSP generations

2-hour game trials for almost all games on the PS Store

At the time of writing, no word has been given as to what specific games are bound for the Deluxe tier. Of course, PlayStation Plus Deluxe will cost the most. If you’re just looking to try for a month, it’ll cost you R210. Three months steps up to R610, and a year will be R1,430. Again, if you’re interested in this tier, a year subscription is absolutely the way to go. With the year option, you’re saving yourself R1,080 – which is almost enough to buy a new game.

All-in-all, the new PlayStation Plus is a great upgrade for everybody involved. Those who want to keep their current plan may, while more die-hard fans have the option of upgrading. It feels as though June can’t come fast enough.