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SIE recently announced that it will launch two new upgrades to the subscription-based service PlayStation Plus for the PlayStation platform, which is expected to be the first in Japan from June 2022.
Famitong interviewed Mr. Jim Ryan, President and CEO of SIE, and combined the information revealed in the interview with the latest information to sort out the following.
Prices and content for 3 subscription-based services
After the upgrade, the former PlayStation Plus service will be renamed "PlayStation Plus Essential", and two advanced subscription services "PlayStation Plus Extra" and "PlayStation Plus Premium" will be added to this. Subscription prices and inclusions for the three tiers of services are as follows:
PlayStation Plus Essential (850 yen/month)
Consistent with the content included in the previous PlayStation Plus service, subscribers will receive the right to download two free games per month, the right to use online web services, and enjoy exclusive discounts, cloud storage and other benefits.
PlayStation Plus Extra (1,300 yen/month)
Contains everything from PlayStation Plus Essential
Get download rights to hundreds of games on the PS4/PS5 platform
PlayStation Plus Premium (1,550 yen/month)
Contains everything from the PlayStation Plus Extra
On this basis, the classic game library of PS1, PS2 and PSP platforms is added
Stream PS3 games in the cloud (up to 240 PS3+PS1, PS2, PSP games to play)
Stream PS4 games from the PlayStation Plus Extra library in the cloud
Ability to play AAA game masterpieces for a limited time
To summarize briefly, PlayStation Plus Extra is to provide PS4/PS5 subscription game libraries on the basis of the original PS Plus service, while PlayStation Plus Premium is a further addition of PS1/PS2/PSP subscription game libraries, and support cloud games and trial play AAA masterpieces.
The upgrade is expected to be implemented first in Japan and Asia, and will be rolled out in europe and the United States (the expected launch time in North America is early June, the european region is late June, and the rest of the region is the end of June). In addition, for regions where cloud gaming services are not available, SIE will also launch a "PlayStation Plus Deluxe" service that replaces PlayStation Plus Premium.
Special interview with Jim Ryan
Jim Ryan, head of SIE
Positioning of three-tier subscription services
| Q: At present, PlayStation Plus Essential is the same as the past PS Plus content, the most advanced subscription service is PlayStation Plus Premium, and the positioning of PlayStation Plus Extra is in between. Why divide the service into three tiers?
Jim Ryan: Choice and value are very important to us. Although the existing PS Plus service was renamed PlayStation Plus Essential, the content provided was unchanged.
On this basis, we also want to provide players with a service that includes many excellent games on the PS4 and PS5 platforms, so the playStation Plus Extra's subscription game lineup will be very strong and diverse. As I said when the upgrade was announced, our subscription library will not only have Sony's first-party games, but will also contain a large number of third-party games of the same quality.
And in addition to masterpieces, there is no shortage of high-quality independent games in the game library, which can be said to basically include the works of all large publishers. Among them, there are not only works that have important commemorative significance for the history of the PlayStation platform, but also the new IP can be seen.
So this (PlayStation Plus Extra) can be said to be a tailor-made service for a large player base focused on the game itself, while the third service (PlayStation Plus Premium) is more suitable for those who have witnessed the history of the PlayStation platform with us.
Although I can't reveal the specific title here, [playStation Plus Premium] will definitely contain classic games that many players love very much, and even I really want to play it. Whether it's veteran players like me who have vivid memories of these games, or younger generations who have only heard about them from their parents, they can experience these titles again on the latest PlayStation consoles.
In addition, cloud gaming is also important to us, and the lineup of PS3 games that can be played through cloud streaming is also very attractive. By the way, I think the demo feature should be very popular as well.
In summary, in addition to including the content of the PS Plus service and the rich game library of the PlayStation Plus Extra, PlayStation Plus Premium has also created a number of unique features for advanced users.
Log in to the PS4 platform simultaneously
| Q: Is this new PS Plus subscription model specifically geared towards PS5? Is PS4 user-friendly? I think there are probably a lot of PS4 players who want to experience the games of the original PS platform.
Jim Ryan: The PS4 also supports this upgrade. PS4's player base has always been very active, and it's also a bit larger than PS5's. With respect for everyone, it is very important for us to come up with the best solution, so this new PS Plus subscription model will of course be available for the PS4 platform.
| Q: Regarding the subscription to the classic games in the game library, will I add new elements such as high frame rates that were not available in the original version?
Jim Ryan: Although the details will not be available until later, according to testers who have actually experienced it so far, the playing experience on PS4 and PS5 has been greatly improved. However, the specific situation will definitely vary from work to work.
For the future of the console game industry
| Q: At today's GDC conference, developers spoke on the topic of "Netflix of Gaming." The new PS Plus subscription model unveiled this time can also be regarded as one of the forms. Looking back at the game industry in the early years, there were industry experts who made statements that "console games will gradually die", but to this day the industry is still standing. What is your vision for the future of the gaming industry and the PlayStation brand?
Jim Ryan: There are people who have made the long-term judgment that the era of console games will end. However, after seeing the global popularity of the PS5 today, I am still convinced that home consoles can be developed for a long time, and I believe that the future of gaming consoles is bright.
In addition, I am very convinced of the possibilities of cloud gaming. Our previously launched PlayStation Now, whose service scope has expanded from North America to the world, has successfully allowed players to experience many games on PS3 and PS4 platforms through cloud streaming, accumulating valuable experience for us. The proportion of cloud games will continue to grow in the future, so we will continue to provide relevant services for you in the future.
The PS Now service will be merged into PlayStation Plus Premium
| Q: Speaking of cloud gaming, will the PlayStation Now service continue to be launched? Also, is PlayStation Plus Premium's cloud gaming service as usable on pCs like PS Now?
Jim Ryan: PS Now will stop the service and the account balances of existing subscribers of the PS Now service will be transferred directly to PlayStation Plus Premium. In addition, in the early days of the service, the use of PC for streaming is not supported in Japan, and only corresponds to the host platform (support for the PC platform is expected to be added through subsequent updates).
Compile: Bluestoon