After rumors and speculation, Sony has officially announced PlayStation Plus, a premium version of their PlayStation Network online service. Unveiled today at Sony’s E3 Keynote, PSN Plus will offer a wide variety of content for its subscribers. Online multiplayer will remain free for all PSN users, a marked difference from Microsoft’s Xbox Live service.
The content will include discounts on PlayStation Store content, free and exclusive access to select games, full game trials, invitations to game betas, and a feature where game contents and updates are automatically downloaded to the console when its on standby mode.
The service will cost either $50 for a yearly subscription, or $18 for a three month subscription.
As I predicted, gamers will receive a full game for signing up, Wipeout HD, along with system themes and DLC. In addition, a limited time sign-up bonus will credit gamers three free months for those paying for a year’s subscription.
PlayStation Plus starts June 29th.
