14 DAY TRIAL // Sony Computer Entertainment has confirmed the rumors and announced that it will be introducing a new online service called PlayStation Plus, a subscription package for the PSN that will be launched worldwide on June 29, the company hoping it will be attracting a significant portion of the 50 million people who are now using the PlayStation 3-based network.
All those who currently have a PlayStation Network identity are able to try out the new service for the first three months in order to see what advantages it will bring. After the first 90 days, players can subscribe for the same period for 17.99 dollars, while a yearly subscription will cost 49.99 dollars.
This price is the same as that of Xbox Live Gold for the same period. In Asia, Sony is also offering players the ability to pick up the service for just one month.
The main advantage of PlayStation Plus will be full game trials allowing members to experience games for free with all the features turned on for some time before being asked to actually purchase them. It's not clear what titles will be offered, although Sony mentioned the PS archives, and how long the free full trial will be online before the player needs to fork over some money. Sony games will also be offered for free, though again the maker did not offer any names.
PlayStation Plus will also feature exclusive, unique Avatars, custom themes and some discounts for both PlayStation 3 and PSP videogames. Those who subscribe will be offered a chance to get into betas sooner and get demos earlier. Apparently, an option to download firmware updates as soon as they become available is included as well. The idea is clearly to offer something similar to Xbox Live Gold without making the actual multiplayer gaming something a gamer needs to pay for.