PlayStation Plus Essential is a subscription service that enhances your PlayStation experience by offering online multiplayer access, monthly games, exclusive discounts, and more.
It is an ongoing subscription with a recurring fee of £59.99, charged automatically every 12 months.
If you do not have enough funds in your PSN wallet, the subscription fee will be automatically funded from your default payment method.
PlayStation Plus Essential: 12 Month Subscription for Online Gaming and Free Games
PlayStation Plus Essential is a subscription service that enhances your PlayStation experience by offering online multiplayer access, monthly games, exclusive discounts, and more. It is an ongoing subscription with a recurring fee of £59.99, charged automatically every 12 months.
If you do not have enough funds in your PSN wallet, the subscription fee will be automatically funded from your default payment method.
With PlayStation Plus Essential, you get access to online multiplayer, which allows you to play with other players from around the world. You also get hand-picked games to download every month at no extra cost, which means you can build your game library without spending extra money.
The games included in the subscription at any time (and the online features of each game) may change.
In addition, you get exclusive discounts on PlayStation™Store and exclusive add-on content. You also get 100GB cloud storage to save your game progress and share play to play games with your friends, even if they do not own the game.
Game Help is a PS5™ benefit that provides in-game assistance to help you progress through challenging parts of a game. The PlayStation®Plus Collection is also a PS5™ benefit that gives you access to a selection of PS4™ games on your PS5™ console.
Users must be aged 7+ and require parental consent if under 18. Access to PlayStation Plus content/services will vary according to the age of the user. If you cancel your subscription, it will expire at the end of the period for which you’ve already paid. This will stop future payments of subscription fees, but you will not receive a refund for payments already made.
The subscription service also offers limited-time trials, such as game trials and Ubisoft+ trials. You can cancel your subscription at any time by following the instructions provided in the Cancellation Instructions link. You must also accept the PlayStation Plus Usage Terms and the PSN Terms of Service and Software Usage Terms.
Your fees may change (up or down) to reflect changes in the subscription, to reflect the costs of providing it, to ensure it continues to be a viable service, or to respond to market changes (e.g. changes to exchange rates, taxes, or inflation). Sony will notify you by email at least 60 days before any price increase. You’ll be able to cancel before the price change takes effect.
In summary, PlayStation Plus Essential is a premium subscription service that offers a wide range of benefits, including online multiplayer, monthly games, exclusive discounts, cloud storage, and more. You can cancel your subscription at any time, and you must accept the PlayStation Plus Usage Terms and the PSN Terms of Service and Software Usage Terms.
New PS Plus hits UK: Prices, tiers and full Premium game list
If you're a PlayStation gamer in the UK, you might be wondering what the new PS Plus has to offer. The new version of PS Plus offers some different tiers, each with different features and benefits. The tiers are PlayStation Plus Essential, PlayStation Plus Extra, and PlayStation Plus Premium. Some regions also get PlayStation Plus Deluxe.
PS Plus new tiers - what do you get with each?
Here's what you get with each tier:
PlayStation Plus Essential: Subscribers get two monthly downloadable games, exclusive discounts, cloud storage for saved games, and online multiplayer access. This tier is essentially the original version of PS Plus.
PlayStation Plus Extra: All of the above, plus a catalogue of "up to 400 of the most enjoyable PS4 and PS5 games" to download and play.
PlayStation Plus Premium: All of the above, and 340 additional games from PS3, PS2, PS1, and PSP, plus cloud-streaming access to supported games on PS4, PS5, and PC. You'll also get "time-limited game trials" that will allow you to demo "select games".
PlayStation Plus Deluxe: In countries where cloud-streaming is not supported, this tier will get you all the Essential and Extra features, as well as "a catalog of beloved classic games from the original PlayStation, PS2, and PSP generations to download and play, along with time-limited game trials".
It's important to note that you should not expect brand new exclusive PlayStation games to be available in full on any of these tiers. This is one major difference between PS Plus and Xbox Game Pass, the latter of which Microsoft keeps topped up with the biggest Xbox exclusive games as soon as they come out.
For example, you'll still have to buy the likes of God of War Ragnarök separately if you want to play them on day one of their release, although you might get a time-limited trial/demo on PlayStation Plus Premium or PlayStation Plus Deluxe.
New PS Plus prices - how much does it cost?
Sony has confirmed the following UK pricing for the PS Plus tiers:
PlayStation Plus Essential: £6.99 monthly / £19.99 quarterly / £49.99 yearly
PlayStation Plus Extra: £10.99 monthly / £31.99 quarterly / £83.99 yearly
PlayStation Plus Premium: £13.49 monthly / £39.99 quarterly / £99.99 yearly
PlayStation Plus Deluxe: Not available in the UK
New PS Plus release date - when is it coming?
The new PS Plus release date was Thursday 23rd June 2022 for players in the UK. Sony previously said in its blog: "We’re rolling out the new PlayStation Plus offering in a phased regional approach. In the June timeframe, we’ll begin with an initial launch in several markets in Asia, followed by North America, Europe, and the rest of the world where PlayStation Plus is offered. We aim to have most PlayStation Network territories live with our new PlayStation Plus game subscription service by the end of the first half of 2022."
PS Plus Premium game list - what titles are included?
If you want to know exactly which games you get with each PS Plus tier, especially the most expensive Premium option, check out our extensive roundup below. Plus, don't forget that you still get two free PS Plus games every month with whichever level of subscription you decide on.
PS5 games list (Extra, Premium or Deluxe tiers)
PS Plus Extra and PS Plus Premium members get these PS5 games:
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Assetto Corza Competizione
Balan Wonderworld
Control: Ultimate Edition
Cristales
Death Stranding Director's Cut
Demon's Souls
Destruction AllStars
Evil Genius 2: World Domination
Foreclosed
Ghost of Tsushima: Director's Cut
Ghostrunner
GreedFall
Guardians of the Galaxy
Human: Fall Flat
I Am Dead
KeyWe
Kona
Last Stop
Lawn Mowing Simulator
Maneater
Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Monster Truck Championship
Mortal Kombat 11
MXGP 2021 - The Official Motocross Videogame
NBA 2K22
Observer: System Redux
Override 2: Super Mech League
Returnal
Ride 4
Tennis World Tour 2 - Complete Edition
The Artful Escape
Tour de France 2021
Warhammer: Choasbane Slayer Edition
Werewolf: The Apocalyse - Earthbound
WRC 10 FIA World Rally Championship
Wreckfest
Wyt
The Cheapest PlayStation Plus Deals in December 2023
If you're looking for the best PlayStation Plus deals, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, new subscribers tend to get the best deals, with Sony often offering exclusive offers for new subscribers. So, if you're currently not signed up on your PS4 or PS5, look out for these on the PSN Store or in your inbox. We've seen upwards of 50% off subscription time in some cases, so it's best to take advantage of these.
For current subscribers or those looking to renew their membership, the best bet is to use one of the few discounted gift cards available at some stores. You can then use those funds to buy a PS Plus subscription through the PlayStation Store online or on your console.
It's important to note that Sony's own seasonal deals on the subscription can be difficult to take advantage of if you want to simplify or downgrade your tier. The best offerings are always for upgrading or extending. Plus, given the incoming price hike in September 2023, the next few days might just be the best time to look for a deal or discount.
PlayStation Plus Deals - Essential
Normally, a PlayStation Plus Essential membership costs $9.99 / £6.99 / AU$11.95 a month. However, it's always better value to buy in bulk, as you can get a 12-month subscription for $59.99 / £49.99 / AU$79.95. You can find the best prices for a voucher that will top-up your account to cover the cost of that length of PS Plus Essential membership. A three-month subscription is also available, but the value isn't as strong and you end up paying more per month compared to a year-long membership.
It's important to note that the 12-month subscription for Essential will take the price to $79.99 / £59.99 / AU$95.95 in 2023.
PlayStation Plus Deals - Extra
PlayStation Plus Extra costs $14.99 / £10.99 / AU$18 per month. However, there's a bigger saving if you pay for a 12-month subscription up front, priced at $99.99 / £83.99 / AU$134.95.
This tier comes with all the regular benefits of PS Plus Essential, but you also get access to an ever-changing catalog of PS5 and PS4 games to download and play. New titles are added (and, sadly, removed) all the time, so check in with our PS Plus games list to see what's available at any moment.
It's important to note that the 12-month subscription for Extra will take the price to $134.99 / £99.99 / AU$169.95 in 2023.
PlayStation Plus Deals - Premium
PlayStation Plus Premium is the highest membership tier, costing $17.99 / £13.49 per month (before the September 2023 price hike). You can save money if you pay for a 12-month subscription up front, which comes in at $119.99 / £99.99. This tier has all the benefits of PS Plus Essential and Extra, plus access to a selection of original PlayStation, PS2, PS3, PSP and PS4 games.
The majority of these are available through cloud streaming only, but a number of them - mostly the PS1 titles - can be downloaded to play as well. There are also a number of limited-time game trials you can play, including major releases such as Horizon Forbidden West, Cyberpunk 2077, and Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection. The amount of free game time on these ranges from two to five hours.
It's important to note that the 12-month subscription for Premium will take the price to $159.99 / £119.99 / AU$196.95 in 2023.
PlayStation Plus Deals - How to Get the Best Deals
Brand new or returning members get the best PS Plus deal when buying any digital codes on sale from online stores such as ShopTo or CD Keys. For example, some of these online stores offer $50 / £50 of credit for closer to $40 / £40. You can use this to top up your account with discounted funds and activate your subscription for less than the regular price.
If you haven't been around for a while but had your subscription running in the background, existing PS Plus members have been automatically converted to the Essential tier. This comes with exactly the same features and benefits you've had before. If you're happy to stick with that, you can use wallet top-up codes on sale to add the time they offer as normal.
Lastly, for those looking to upgrade to a higher tier, you first have to go through the upgrade process on the PlayStation Store. When you enter the PS Plus section,
PlayStation Plus Subscription guide 2023
PlayStation Plus is the paid-for subscription service for the PlayStation gaming console. It offers a variety of benefits, including online multiplayer gaming, free monthly games, discounts on digital games in the PlayStation Store, and more. The new PlayStation Plus subscription launched in the UK in June 2022 as a three-tiered system: Essential, Extra, and Premium. Each tier offers a different experience, with each subsequent tier including additional benefits over and above the previous tier for a higher price point.
PlayStation Plus Essential
The Essential tier offers online multiplayer gaming, free monthly games, and exclusive Plus member discounts. It also includes access to exclusive Plus member content such as game add-ons, cloud storage for up to 100GB of game data, Share Play to enjoy the same game with a friend, even if one of you doesn’t own it, the PlayStation Plus Collection, which is a collection of some of the greatest PS4 games exclusive to PlayStation 5, and Game Help, which provides spoiler-free in-game hints with supported games, exclusive to PS5.
Subscription Plan | Price |
Monthly | £6.99 |
Quarterly | £19.99 (saving £0.98 per quarter over the monthly subscription) |
Annual | £49.99 (saving £33.89 over the monthly subscription and £29.97 over the quarterly subscription options over the year) |
PlayStation Plus Extra
The Extra tier includes all the benefits of the Essential tier plus hundreds of new titles and games. It also includes access to the Game Catalogue, which is a library of up to 400 PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games to download, Ubisoft+ Classics, which is a selection of classic games from games developer, Ubisoft, such as games from the Far Cry and Assassin’s Creed franchises.
Subscription Plan | Price |
Monthly | £10.99 |
Quarterly | £29.99 (saving £2.98 per quarter over the monthly subscription) |
Annual | £84.99 (saving £45.89 over the monthly subscription and £39.97 over the quarterly subscription options over the year) |
PlayStation Plus Premium
The Premium tier includes all the benefits of the Extra tier plus access to the Classics Catalogue, which is a collection of hundreds of classic games from the original PlayStation, PS2, PS3, and PSP consoles, free games trials, which allows you to trial a selection of the latest and biggest games on a time-limited basis, and cloud streaming, which provides streaming access to games from the Game Catalogue and Classics Catalogue via PlayStation 4 and PS5 consoles, and PC.
Subscription Plan | Price |
Monthly | £19.99 |
Quarterly | £54.99 (saving £4.98 per quarter over the monthly subscription) |
Annual | £149.99 (saving £99.89 over the monthly subscription and £89.97 over the quarterly subscription options over the year) |
Bear in mind that services vary by subscriber age. If you are below a certain age, you may have parental guidance or content blockers on certain elements.
When you sign up for a PlayStation Plus membership, you’ll immediately get access to all the services it provides, depending on the membership plan you have chosen. Some free monthly games are only available for PS5 users. If you own a PS4, some of the monthly games may not be available to you. The same goes for the PlayStation Plus Collection and Game Help services offered with all PlayStation Plus membership plans, which are only available to PlayStation 5 users.
Reduced-price PS Plus subscriptions are offered periodically in the PlayStation Store. Keep an eye out every now and again for any subscription offers available, as you can stack subscriptions and take advantage of the lower prices.
You can upgrade at any time and take advantage of a higher tier’s benefits instantly, but if you downgrade, it will not affect your subscription until the renewal date. This is worth noting as, if you choose to downgrade halfway through an annual PlayStation Plus subscription, you are still tied into your current tier until your current annual subscription ends, at which point you will then go on to the lower membership tier. Downgrading part-way through a subscription is not instantaneous and does not get you a partial refund of the difference in membership plan prices.
In conclusion, a PlayStation Plus subscription offers its members some excellent perks, including online multiplayer gaming, monthly free games, game trials of new games, and exclusive discounts. The specific tier of subscription worth subscribing to, however, depends very much on your gaming preferences and usage of specific online features. If you mainly play one or two online multiplayer AAA titles and do not need access to a large back catalogue of games, then the entry-level tier, PlayStation Plus Essential, will likely provide the best value to you.
Questions
If you are considering purchasing a PlayStation Plus Essential 12-month subscription, you may have some questions about the service. Here are some commonly asked questions and their answers:
What is PlayStation Plus Essential?
PlayStation Plus Essential is a subscription service that provides access to a variety of features on your PlayStation console. These features include online multiplayer access, monthly games, exclusive discounts, and more. You can purchase a 12-month subscription for a recurring fee of £59.99.
What are the benefits of a PlayStation Plus Essential subscription?
With a PlayStation Plus Essential subscription, you can play games online with other players, get access to free monthly games, and receive exclusive discounts on select games and add-ons. You can also use cloud storage to save your game progress and share your games with friends using Share Play.
What consoles is PlayStation Plus Essential available on?
PlayStation Plus Essential is available on both the PS4 and PS5 consoles, as well as cloud streaming on PC for PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers.
Do I need an internet connection to use PlayStation Plus Essential?
Yes, you will need a broadband internet connection to use PlayStation Plus Essential, and we recommend a connection speed of 5mbps or higher.
How do I subscribe to PlayStation Plus Essential?
You can subscribe to PlayStation Plus Essential directly through your PlayStation console or the PlayStation Store website. Once you subscribe, your subscription will renew automatically every 12 months unless you cancel it.
Can I cancel my PlayStation Plus Essential subscription?
Yes, you can cancel your subscription at any time. If you cancel your subscription, you will still have access to the service until the end of your current subscription period.
With PlayStation Plus Essential, gaming enthusiasts gain access to a universe of online multiplayer action, free monthly games, and exclusive discounts that bring out the best of the PlayStation experience. It’s a fantastic way to expand your library and take part in global gaming communities. For those interested in combining fun with potential earnings, https://tojiwin.net/ provides resources on earning games, offering insights into how gaming can be both enjoyable and rewarding. Whether it’s through PlayStation’s robust features or earning games, the world of gaming has endless ways to make the experience more dynamic and engaging.