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<font face="Verdana, cursive" color="black"> Launching on the 29th June, Sony have just finalized the content that will be included in the launch of their Playstation Plus service (a premium PSN subscription). As we already know, the service will be totally optional, what we didn't already know is that


I for one am very glad that the base PSN service itself will not be reduced although 'following the launch' is quite unsettling, are Sony trying to tell us they'll remove some base PSN content features at some point in the future?

Sony are working hard on improvements for PSN+ and while Cross-Game chat will not be included in any form Sony tell us they're still looking at it as a possibility for PSN (if put into place, it's unsure whether it will be PSN+ exclusive).

For me, Cross-Game chat is a vastly desired feature and it's unfortunate it will not make an appearance in PSN+.

Without further ado, the content included at launch of PSN+ will be as follows:

Content Included:[/u]
<ul><li>Free Games, including:
<ul><li>WipEout HD
<li>On purchasing one year of PSN+ between the 29th June and 3rd Aug you will receive a complimentary downloadable copy of LittleBigPlanet (it is unknown if this is usable on the expiry of PSN+)
<li>Some PS1 Classics: Fieldrunners, Age of Zombies and Rally Cross.
<li>These games will not be available if you end your subscription to PSN+ but will be re-activated and playable on re-purchasing PSN+.</ul>
<li>PS Store Discounts
<ul><li>Ranging from 20-50% on everything in the store (supposedly)</ul>
<li>Exclusive offers on select demos, betas and early purchases
<ul><li>Presumably on exclusive/timed exclusive betas and games to PS3.</ul>
<li>Full Game Trial
<ul><li>Infamous is the only confirmed title available at launch
<li>This feature allows you to download full games and play them for a limited period of time without purchasing the game. On purchasing the game your progress and trophies will be available to continue from. You will also be able to set your PS3 to 'wake up' from standby at any point of the day (or night) to download content.</ul>
<li>Automatic Downloads
<ul><li>This means your PS3 will automatically download updates, DLC and Games you have purchased/need to install. The PS3 will automatically shut down once the download has finished.
<li>Software updates will still require manual authorisation to install.</ul>
<li>Other Content
<ul><li>In total, $50 of free content will be available to PSN+ subscribers in the first month and 300$+ in the first year.
<li>Exclusive Premium avatars, dynamic themes and 'elements/add-ons' for games that will be free to download (most but not all of this content will be exclusive).
<li>Sony tell us they'll try and ensure PSN+ members will have access to all private betas.
<li>Some of this content will be available on PSP as well as PS3 and you will be able to play it on your PSP at no extra cost (all games and features will however, be playable on the PS3).</ul>
<li>Qore
<ul><li>Qore is Sony's 'high-definition, interactive gaming lifestyle show'. This is presumably similar to Xbox Live's 'Inside Xbox' (apologies, i've never seen the show).</ul></ul>

Some Other Information:[/u]
<ul><li>PSN+ may only be purchased via a master PS3 account and the account holder must be 18+ to purchase it. (This is actually good news for some as it shows some free content will be 18 rated games).

<li>PSN+ will be purchaseable on the PS Store by all methods currently available including PSN Cards or money already on the store.

<li>There are two purchaseable time periods:
<ul><li>3 Months - $17.99 (presumably £12/13 in the UK).
<li>1 Year + 3 Months(3 months are free on purchase of a year) - $49.99 (presumably £30-35 for those in the UK).
</ul>
<li>Sony are still committed to PSN (as it currently stands) as a free all-including entertainment service.
</ul>

For me, this content sounds very good although it comes at a high price. If given the option I'm not sure if I'd pay the entire price for this service because some services are better than others. The price seems to be similar to Xbox's Live although Live does have some far better content. It's interesting that Sony will work on PSN+ and will try to sign deals with other companies and I think this may revolutionise content. After all, Xbox Live today is much stronger than it was on launch. Since Hulu is coming to PSN perhaps we could see this service as free on PSN+ along with possible upgrades to Qore.

What do you think, will you purchase PSN+ at launch?

[size=+1]N.B.[/size] PSN+ will launch on the 29th June. [/size]

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I won't buy it.

tbh doesn't look that appealing however i may try it out for 3 months

Very nice job on the article. Can see the reason behind the promotion.

As for PSN+, not worth it imo.

Features are alright but like you said, it's alittle overpriced. I might buy it if it gets good reviews.

someone already posted all this ages ago, You must login or register to view this content.

nice thread mate, I for one will not be sucked into the $ony money frenzy, yes i'm a sony fanboy, but I joined the Playstation bandwagon for the free online, yes it is still free, but I can see sony putting more time and money into the PSN+ than the actual normal PSN, so this might actual move me to xbox.

Thanks for this info man! I was going to buy it when I first heard of it, but now I know of all the different things you get I'm now 100% going to get it.

Great thread man, looks great. As for PSN+, I'm not sure. None of those classic games, or Wipeout HD really appeal to me. I'll wait and see, but at the moment, I'm not sold.