PlayStation Plus: A Word From One Who Converted
by PixelCub, HSM guest contributor
The post-hack return of the PlayStation Network came with a 30-day trial of the PlayStation Plus account, which I had never really considered getting before. I had been away from gaming for about a year, so the Plus program was something new to me.
I have always been an advocate of Sony and PlayStation, but I’ve lived in a household with an Xbox 360. The biggest pet peeve for me with Xbox Live was the fact that you had to pay a monthly subscription to use the online feature of games. I already pay for an internet service provider subscription, and it was frustrating to me to pay an extra expense to be able to use it for games on that system. I liked the fact that Sony offered the option to use it for free. So when I heard about the Plus program, I didn’t find it necessary or even appealing, but I gladly tried it out for a month since the free trial was offered.
At first I didn’t see much benefit to having it, some full game trials, and some free minis and extras like avatars and themes, not to mention some added discounts for PSN content through a Plus account. It took a month to start seeing some of the real benefits of using Plus.
Week after week, content was updated – with a few extras – but as the gaming season reared up I kept up to date with press releases and news feeds. I learned that some of the hottest games coming this fall would have open betas available for Plus subscribers. I decided to keep my account and purchased it during their one year anniversary sale to get the extra few months for free offered through the deal.
After a few months, I am a believer. Plus is worth every dime; their content has been continuously updated with better benefits. I’ve had the privilege to test open betas of Resistance 3, and Assassins Creed: Revelations, free game offers of classic 16-bit games, PSOne games, and minis, New Qore episodes every month – including exclusive downloads with each episode – and sizeable discounts on PSN downloads.
Gaming can be an expensive hobby, or pastime – whatever you wish you call it. If you purchase your own games and gaming content you know how quickly it can add up. New releases range between $49-59.99, with DLC content ranging from $4.99-11.99, so gaming is not cheap and it isn’t – as much as some may debate the issues – a necessity. I am hesitant to pay another sixty dollars a year just to use the online option for some games, particularly in a shaky economy.
What made it worth it for the Plus account has been the extra content offered by PlayStation Network. I have had the account for a few months now, and already I feel that it has paid for itself. My account has given me the benefit of complimentary new Qore episodes every month, with the latest news on upcoming games and extra content that gives you more insight into the games being developed, or upcoming releases for games and Blu-rays. New themes and game profile avatars are updated regularly.
I do not mean to suggest that Plus is perfect or for everyone. Games offered for free range in varied genres, and up to the discretion of the network.
Just to give you an idea of what has been available, for my $50 annual subscription which I’ve only used three months of so far, I have received the following: three Qore episodes, of all the available themes I have only chosen to stick with four that I liked, twelve avatars, a 20% discount on From Dust, Street Fighter 3rd Strike Online Edition, and Limbo. Best of all are the following games, some of which have been Plus exclusives: Comet Crash, Little Big Planet: Sackboy’s Prehistoric Moves, Magic: The Gathering – Duels of the Plains Walkers, Bomberman Ultra, Crash Commando, Comix Zone (a classic of the 90’s), Astro Tripper, Altered Beast (another Genesis classic), the addictive Plants vs. Zombies, the minis Jelly Pops, Bashi Blocks, and Scary Girl. All of this is content I have chosen to keep, but not the only content offered.
One of the best offers of Plus is the early multiplayer beta access to some outstanding upcoming games, which so far have included Uncharted 3, Resistance 3, and Assassins Creed: Revelations.
The other great benefit is full game trials, which allows you to try out a game from the list before you buy it and get a perspective to sway or discourage you from a bad purchase.
PlayStation Plus sounds great so far, but this is not a sales pitch, so let me discuss the cons of the subscription. Not all PlayStation Network content is subject to subscription discounts; only the content which has been selected at every update. Unless you are a big fan of the minis, and classic 16-bit or PSOne games, don’t expect too much from the free games offered, as the main content are PlayStation Network games that can range in popularity and quality. I for one have been very satisfied with the current releases.
The minis do mean that there is content available for the PSP though. Qore episodes are awesome, but they are a software based-video playback to prevent piracy and video sharing; which means you have to download and install the Qore software for each individual episode which will take up space on your hard drive, depending on how long you chose to keep it. Full game trials are great, but they are only available for one hour. That’s right – sixty minutes, which means you can only try it and play as far as you can get in sixty minutes, which is usually enough to let you know if you will enjoy a game or not. Free games are yours to keep with full trophy support, however they are only available for as long as you have your Plus account. There are free add-ons, but most of the content that has been released thus far has been for downloadable games, and the disc based games add-ons have only been discounted, not for free.
Unfortunately no discounts for Home content, and the PlayStation Plus lounge is NOT available in the US region.
Games are subjective; not everyone will like the same games or really see a full benefit in a Plus account. What I have found is that the content and benefits have been well worth the fifty dollars I spent on the one year subscription, and as a budget gamer I look forward to the updates every week to see what new benefits are available.
September 24th, 2011 by PixelCub | 8 comments
I am also a believer, and i love the cloud game save option, which allows me to access my real time game saves from any PlayStation.
Been a PS+ member since day one and I am sorely disappointed by its lack of Home support. Where’s the PS+ lounge in NA Home? How about discounts on personal spaces? What about the free and discounted clothes? I would even think they could dedicate a store to PS+ members. Why not? We’re shelling out the money. PS+ exclusive gatherings would be nice. A PS+ Exclusive theater showing full length movies would also be welcomed. How about just little PS+ 3D logos that we can have rotate above our head?
So many options. So little support. Oh well! I’m going to go play that PSone Resident Evil trilogy we just got for free!
I am with Gideon on this one.I have been a plus user since its inception.I however do use the plus program alot in the PS Store.I play the free games for a bit and then delete them.Is there enough to justify the $50 expensse? In my opinion,I would say not as of yet.
I was a Day 1 Plus subscriber too and I’m also disappointed that there has been no Home content. There is a feedback thread on the PS forums and I recommend that anyone who would like to see more Home content for Plus subscribers post there and ask for it. http://community.us.playstation.com/thread/3881703?tstart=0.
I still haven’t decided whether to resubscribe since I’m more of a Home social gamer than a PSN gamer. The highlight of the Plus program for the past year have been the Betas, especially DCUO as buggy as it was.
Very nicely written article!
LOL good point I would trade the first three for the HD version of 4 to be free.
I have never considered using this even after the free thirty days we got. I barely used it then and I doubt I will ever get it, but you present an interesting argument for the service. If I ever get the time and money to afford it, I might try it for a year. Good first article, very informative.
I bought a year subscription from Gamestop during a sale for $35. Even at $50 it’s not bad, honestly i have found value in the membership. I do wish they had Home discounts, but even with the constant updates that when you think about add up to 52 updates a year, you do get plenty. I don’t understand why NA doesn’t have the Plus lounge though. Having some exclusive home items would be nice, maybe even make them rentals based on subscription, like the batman helmet when you have a DCU account.
I was curious where the press release is or any info on what games will be free in the next update.