Hi Everyone, you may have heard in all the E3 hype that we are launching a new premium subscription service called PlayStation Plus, so I just wanted to give you all a quick heads up on what you can expect to get from this great new service so you have all the info before launch on the 29th June.
The first thing to note is that PlayStation Network is still free to join and all the current features will remain free. PlayStation Plus will be offering you a service above and beyond this, including loads of content and exclusive, member-only, PSN features.
From 29th June you’ll be able to purchase a 1 year or 90-day membership from PlayStation Store and instantly get your hands on the following premium features. Plus, if you sign up for a 1 year membership between 29th June and 3rd August, we’ll also throw in a free downloadable copy of the award winning LittleBigPlanet.
Games:
As a member you can expect to get your hands on at least four games a month at no extra charge. Each month there will be a selection of one PSN game, two minis and one PS one classics available on PlayStation Store for you to download. You also get premium avatars and dynamic themes each month, many of which are exclusive to members.
Talking of exclusive, there will also be discounts available on loads of PlayStation Store content, just for members, so make the most of them as these will change each month as well.
Finally, wherever possible we’ll be making sure that members are included in some selected demos and beta trials before they go live to the public so you can be the one to tell all your mates about the next big game they ‘must’ get.
Just the games, avatars and themes alone are worth at least £200* per year, so even before the other benefits, this service is great value for money
Full Game Trial:
This premium feature gives you the chance to try PSN and Blu-ray disc titles before you buy them in a whole new way. We are not talking normal demos of selected parts of a game here. With Full Game Trial, you can download the full game and play it as if you owned it for approximately one hour, depending on the game, before you decide if you want to buy it or not. So you can check out the online modes, play against friends or anything else you’d normally do with a game.
The other great thing is that your progress and trophies from the trial will all be unlocked if you buy the game so no need to go back and start again.
Automatic Download:
We wanted to offer members the speediest service possible so sign up and you can set your PS3 to automatically receive the latest game updates for all the games you play, PS3 system software updates and even have game demos sent directly to your PS3 without lifting a finger.
Just set the time you want to receive them and your PS3 will automatically wake up and download everything, ready for when you next want to play. No more waiting to play your favourite game because there is a new patch or having to remember when the latest system software is launching, let your PS3 do the work.
Details of this great new service, including a list of content available for the first 2 months will be on playstationplus.com between now and the 29th, but don’t forget to get on the Store and sign up before the 3rd August to get the added bonus of a free copy of LittleBigPlanet.
It would be great to hear what you guys think of this new service and I’ll be back one here on Wednesday morning to try and answer any questions you have.
Cheers,
James













« Previous 1 … 3 4 5 … 11 Next »
542 CommentsAdd Yours
151
Posted on 15 June, 2010 at 11:44 pm by Peetee36
@Sigmatic88
They might just release it in an update soon, as a surprise.
152
Posted on 15 June, 2010 at 11:45 pm by nemesisND1derboy
ie.playstation.com theres ur link
Like I said, I think they were hacked…
153
Posted on 15 June, 2010 at 11:46 pm by nemesisND1derboy
sorry… http://ie.playstation.com/playstationplus/
154
Posted on 15 June, 2010 at 11:47 pm by footydan96
I really want to know if/when crossgame chatting is coming out because having to play with your friends is kinda annoying because we dont all play the same games
155
Posted on 15 June, 2010 at 11:48 pm by Sigmatic88
@Peetee – I hope you’re right! Someone from Sony knows what’s going on though, so someone from Sony should get in here and tell us what’s up!
156
Posted on 15 June, 2010 at 11:49 pm by liortttttttttttt
BIG QUESTION: do US/UK get 3 free months at first?
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 11:25 am by James Thorpe
Hi, the sign up offer throughout Europe is a free download copy of LBP if you subscribe before Aug 3rd for 1 year membership. The US sign up offer gives you 15 months for the price of 12, that’s what Jack was referring to in his speech.
157
Posted on 15 June, 2010 at 11:51 pm by Peetee36
@liotttttttttt
I doubt it. And that would be a bit unfair on the rest.
158
Posted on 15 June, 2010 at 11:52 pm by Sigmatic88
All mentions of cross-game chat have now been removed for all of the PSN Plus sites. Let’s hope it’s just a free feature coming in the next firmware update instead!
159
Posted on 15 June, 2010 at 11:52 pm by seany1
seems like cross chat isnt coming then
160
Posted on 15 June, 2010 at 11:52 pm by draggx
So if i get the year and forget to renew, will signing back up reactivate the previous “free games”?
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 11:26 am by James Thorpe
Hi, yes it will. If you sign up again after a period of time, all the games you previously downloaded will be available.
161
Posted on 15 June, 2010 at 11:52 pm by almighty-slayer
James, to clarify: you get a downloadable version of LBP (PS3)…Yes?
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 11:26 am by James Thorpe
Hi, yes, its the PS3 version of LBP
162
Posted on 15 June, 2010 at 11:52 pm by liortttttttttttt
@peetee
they said in the press conference everyone gets 3 months free at first
163
Posted on 15 June, 2010 at 11:52 pm by Timesplitter_01
COME ON GIVE US CROSS GAME CHAT ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
164
Posted on 15 June, 2010 at 11:54 pm by Genki-Rocket
http://i45.tinypic.com/2ekkihd.jpg
why did you take this out of the service?
care to comment?
165
Posted on 15 June, 2010 at 11:55 pm by Timesplitter_01
LOL
Looks like someone/people at Sony are not going to have jobs soon because they revealed a secret feature too soon
166
Posted on 15 June, 2010 at 11:57 pm by liortttttttttttt
what secret feature
167
Posted on 15 June, 2010 at 11:57 pm by seany1
got a feeling that norwegian site was hacked coz why was it only part in full english abt cross chat and why did it not happen on other ps sites
168
Posted on 15 June, 2010 at 11:57 pm by SlipperyFella
Make it LBP2 and you have yourself a deal
169
Posted on 15 June, 2010 at 11:58 pm by seany1
dont get hopes up people sony will only let u down
170
Posted on 15 June, 2010 at 11:58 pm by Luis_FFgamer
portuguese site also had the cross game voice chat info… in english.
171
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:00 am by Timesplitter_01
Ok then
Can Sony confirm it was a partical joke then?
172
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:00 am by liortttttttttttt
CAN YOU CONFIRM THAT WE GET 3 FREE MONTHS AT THE START THAT WHAT SONY SAID AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE
173
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:01 am by Genki-Rocket
@166 the swedish site was the same
all been fixed now… they took chat out of the features.
we can only hope it’s in the next firmare
i have it on very good authority the feature was included and a freind saw the feature list when it was still in… it has only been taken out recently… hence the mistake on some scee pages
174
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:01 am by nemesisND1derboy
James, can we use a PSN card to purchase PSN plus? That would be of great convenience!
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 11:30 am by James Thorpe
Hi, yes you can. Every form of wallet top-up can be used to purchase PlayStation Plus membership. However if you have a credit card registered you can use the auto re-newal feature to save having to remember to renew.
175
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:04 am by AKGermany
Will we get the same content across all European countries? Our German PSN store has a pretty strict age policy that results in us missing out on some demos and games.
I can sort of live with that, but not if I paid for the service and would still be denied stuff.
176
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:04 am by Zubairu
Question!
When you start with the service lets say in december all the mini’s psn games and classics that got released before can you still get them for *free???
*i mean free as in you get them free because you have playstation plus
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 11:35 am by James Thorpe
Hi, the content changes each month and if you weren’t a member when the content was available then i’m afraid you won’t have access to it. We will be putting the content list on playstation.com for the current and following month so you will be able to see in advance what is available
177
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:04 am by crusher915
1 last thing when are you guys going tell us about the new sku, when will it come??
http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/11/new-ps3-models-outed-by-fcc -just-days-ahead-of-e3/
178
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:05 am by seany1
can only hope cross chat is out next week with 3.40 and if not then sony can whistle for their cash for psn plus from me
179
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:07 am by zadorvp
Shame euro prices are always pretty much the same as dollar prices.
180
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:08 am by seany1
also our ps1 games need improved vastly for a pais service as our are all mince , no resi 1 23 , tomb raiders , spyro , dino crisis , twisted metal when people pay for a service half shouldnt get a worse deal than u.s
181
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:08 am by Tommy012345
Well that’s no use! I’ve already bought all LBP DLC!
Unfortunately, I won’t beable to be on PSN+ from Day 1, I’m on Holiday in France…
But don’t you worry! I’ma coming Mama!
182
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:09 am by Tommy012345
Quick question?
If you decide there’s nothing on the Store you want, do you Monthly Downloads build-up, so you can use them for a later time?
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 11:38 am by James Thorpe
hi, the list of content changes each month so there will hopefully be plenty of games, etc that you like. The monthly downloads won’t build.
183
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:12 am by shdwz
Hi James,
I have a very important question.
As a heavy PSN user I have most of the note-worthy PSN games. How does SCE ensure that the selection of games offered monthly satisfies everyone? What happens if I already own all the games offered for that month?
In addition to this, why doesn’t SCE just make it so that all games are accessible monthly considering that we do not own the games but simply lease them for the duration of our subscription?
Finally, is cross-game chat a premium feature?
184
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:13 am by dutton
Go on holiday the 18th come back the 28th, just in time
I dont understand why people are moaning, you don’t have to have it. ITS CHOICE !
I think it is very reasonable with what your given, quick question though?
Say my subscription expired and i missed the renewal by one day, i would lose the items?
If i subscibed again after it expired, would i get the items back?
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 11:41 am by James Thorpe
Hi, quick answer is yes! if you re-subscribe after a period of time then the items you previously downloaded will be re-activated with your membership renewal. Anything purchased with the discounts and after full game trial is yours regardless of membership
185
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:13 am by Peetee36
@James
Thanks for replying to my post. And yeah, I’m going to be subscribing.
186
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:14 am by seany1
@ 182 ano m8 i was asking same thing as ive bought 47 store games and 11 ps1 games , its kina messed up people will get less if offered games they have but still get charged same price
187
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:15 am by Carnivius_Prime
Not impressed to honest (and not cos it’s got no cross game chat, heck I want an option to automatically mute ALL chat by default in everything, I hate game voice chat with a passion). The automatic download is something I’ve been wanting from a firmware update for ages but I’m not paying money for it sorry. It’s a pain in the ass not being able to play your fave game after a tiring day at work just cos it needs an update which can sometimes take over an hour. Should have been done from the beginning.
The other features don’t appeal to me. There’s never enough downloadable games for my tastes that would be worth all that and I already do ‘trial’ blu ray games. I buy them full price, play them to death within a week or two and sell them on again getting most my money back having finished the game and only keep the ones like Uncharted 2 or LBP that have almost limitless replay value.
188
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:16 am by Azarules69
Definitely some great features, but i have noticed you havent replied to any of the Cross Game Chat enquirers.
This is easily my most wanted feature, can you please advise if you must remain silent about this feature or if it will be coming free to all PSN users?
Oh and i will purchase this service nonetheless, but i would still very much like to know this information
189
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:16 am by Carnivius_Prime
But cheers for not suddenly turning regular PSN usage into all paid service. I’m glad you didn’t go down that road.
190
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:18 am by Timesplitter_01
Anyone else think that the HOUR trail should be 2 HOURS?
An Hour to try out a games single player and multiplayer sounds a bit short to me
191
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:20 am by seany1
does this mean there will be a library of all retail blu ray games on store to try for an hour then or just the 4 or 5 full games on store now , this is very confusing
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 11:46 am by James Thorpe
Hi, we will select the best blu-ray and PSN titles for the full game trial and there will be 2 different titles each month. Plus the game saves and any trophies earnt during the trial will be unlocked if you choose to buy the game
192
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:20 am by dutton
@ Azarules69
I just read that cross game chat is coming, but it can only be started by someone who is part of PSN+ and if you dont have it you cannot start a chat.
And also apparently allows 4 people.
193
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:24 am by GuttermouthSIN
I was hoping for a PS3 repair plan and movie rentals to be included.
The current plan is not worth it to me, sorry.
194
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:30 am by phinnv8
I don’t know anyone who is interested in this crap service without Cross Game Voice Chat and more Party features.
Also WHAT IS THE POINT OF PLAYSTATION BLOG SHARE???
Where is:
-cross game voice chat?
-context sensitive PS button?
-auto-syncing trophies?
-improved and more integrated web browsing?
-XMB interface clean up with better in-game XMB?
SONY IS ANYONE THERE?
195
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:36 am by TheSabreman
So we get:
Mini’s that are 99p with firstplay.
A poor selection of PS1 ‘classics’.
Automatic downloads, leave you PS3 on day & night to automatically download saving you pressing the x button
Beta trials that other users will get for free.
And finally we pay for demo’s aka ‘trials’
Is it April 1st ?
196
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:38 am by superaktieboy
Quoting James:
I know its below but in case you didn’t see it the prices are – €14.99 / £11.99 for 90 days and €49.99 / £39.99 for a whole year
The prices they announced at E3 were $49.99 for 12 months, however, according to today’s conversion (16/06), £39.99 is just below $60 (at a rate of £1 = $1.4814) and €49.99 is just over $61 (at a rate of €1 = $1.2333).. that’s $9-11 difference. If you ask me Europeans are being ripped off. What gives Sony?
197
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:38 am by PirateThom
Needs Cloud storage for saves.
198
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:39 am by rockjamie
hey there, i have a question about the PSN and a possible update or ill prob just get shot down as it wont ever happen.
thanks
but is it now or in the future possible to like in retail, trade-in dlc thats no longer going to be used.
my example of what im considering:
i have fallout platinum’d ok, including all additional trophies from all of the dlc’s. so i am completely 100%. now New Vegas is out soon, and as i have played fallout 3 to death i am thinking of trading in the game, therefore leaving me with 5 downloaded levels i still own. (yes i know i should have bought the game of the year edition instead but it was all sold out around here) so if i trade in the fallout 3 disc and am left with the content on my hard drive, why can i not trade-in my dlc for a reduced price or something. i could delete it all off my hard drive and i will still have my shiny platinum to prove i did it.is it just me or should this happen! i think we should have this option and if its not in the process, i think it should be made!
i might not check this thread very often so if you reply, try to reply directly to my account as a private message or something, or whatever, and hopefully i will see the answers sooner or later
199
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:42 am by RavetodaGrave_
As long as you dont start doin stuff like you can only get certain DLC if your a member. Like i dont want in a couple of months be lookin forward to Red dead redemption DLC and then find out i have to be a member to purchase it. I understand the free games and trials and stuff but if you start effing us around im getting the new xbox slim which looks pretty slick and il be waiting the moment i hear Red ring of death is like 1 percent or lower for the new xbox AND then you guys are effing us around il be giving my money to microsoft first most of my mates have a xbox only reason im sticking with PS3 is its free so first excuse i get to have to give some company extra money its gonna be Microsoft. After all they do have cross game chat
200
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 12:43 am by Titan_227
all i want to kno is how do i gt the 3 months free
Posted on 16 June, 2010 at 11:50 am by James Thorpe
Hi, all you need to do is sign up for a 1 year membership on the US Store and you get 15 months for the price of 12. Check out the US ps.com to see how long this offer is available for
« Previous 1 … 3 4 5 … 11 Next »
We close the comments for posts after 30 days. If you would still like to comment on this post, please use our contact form.