Sony announces new PlayStation Plus subscriptions, its answer to Xbox Game Pass

Today, Sony is announcing new versions of its subscription service, called PS Plus. Sony's two current subscription services, PSone Plus and PSone Now, are combined into one service called PSone Plus. Two new subscription options for PS Plus will include access to a catalog of PS games to install or stream.

The new tiers will be available in June in Asia, followed by North America, Europe, and the rest of the world. As part of the launch, the service will no longer be a stand-alone one.

The same benefits that exist today with online multiplayer access, two monthly downloadable games, discounts, and cloud storage for saved games will be included in the monthly price of $9.99 for PlayStation Plus Essential. The tier will remain the same at the same price.

Image: Sony

Up to 400 PS4 or PS5 games can be added to the PS Plus Extra tier. The games in the Extra tier will be priced at $14.99 per month. The third tier is called PS Plus Premium.

The Premium option has the same benefits as the Essential and Extra, but with more games and PS3 titles. There will be classic games in both streaming and download options. Time-limited game trials will be offered in the Premium tier.

• PlayStation Plus Essential - includes multiplayer access, two monthly downloadable games, discounts, and cloud storage for game saves. Priced at $9.99 per month, or $59.99 a year.
• PlayStation Plus Extra - includes everything in Plus Essential, and access to a catalog of up to 400 PS4 or PS5 games. Priced at $14.99 per month, or $99.99 a year.
• PlayStation Plus Premium - includes all benefits from Essential and Extra, with an extra 340 games that include PS3 titles that can be streamed and some original PlayStation, PS2, and PSP games. Time-limited game trials also available. Priced at $17.99 per month, or $119.99 a year.

The new Extra and Premium tiers represent a major evolution for PS Plus.

Sony plans to include games like God of War, Spider-Man, and Returnal at launch. Sony isn't promising to make all of its upcoming exclusive PlayStation games available on launch day through this subscription service.

The back catalog that allows the latest generation of consoles to run original Xbox games alongside titles for the Xbox One and Microsoft's other consoles has made it an attractive option for Xbox users.

There is more choice of how to play classic and new PS games without having to subscribe to a separate streaming service. It isn't a true Game Pass competitor, but it is a big improvement for PS3 owners.