How Much is a PlayStation Now Subscription?
The simple answer is that there is no longer a standalone PlayStation Now subscription. Sony has merged PlayStation Now with PlayStation Plus in a revamped service, which now offers multiple tiers. Therefore, you cannot directly subscribe to PlayStation Now as a separate entity. Its features, including its game library, are now part of the PlayStation Plus Premium tier.
This restructuring occurred in June 2022, when Sony introduced a tiered subscription model for PlayStation Plus, which essentially absorbed PlayStation Now’s functionalities. The old PlayStation Now pricing structure—which included monthly, quarterly, and annual options—is no longer applicable.
The new structure focuses on the PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra, and Premium tiers, each offering different benefits and access levels. The Premium tier is where you’ll find the core of what PlayStation Now once offered, specifically its ability to stream games and access a large library of titles.
Understanding the New PlayStation Plus Tiers
Before diving into the cost implications, it’s crucial to understand the available tiers:
PlayStation Plus Essential
This tier provides the core PlayStation Plus experience, focusing on online multiplayer, monthly free games, and exclusive discounts. The price is $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year.
PlayStation Plus Extra
This tier expands on Essential by including the aforementioned benefits, plus a large library of downloadable PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games. It costs $134.99 per year.
PlayStation Plus Premium
This is the tier where the PlayStation Now functionality lives on. It includes everything from Essential and Extra, plus game trials, cloud streaming, and access to classic games. This top-tier costs $159.99 per year.
The Cost of the PlayStation Now Experience
Since the core of PlayStation Now is now within the PlayStation Plus Premium tier, accessing its streaming and game library features requires you to subscribe to that plan. Therefore, the closest cost to a PlayStation Now subscription is the cost of a PlayStation Plus Premium membership: $159.99 annually.
While there are monthly subscription options for the PlayStation Plus tiers, if you want the best value for a full year of access, you’ll want to pay for the annual subscription. If you are looking to utilize only the features that were previously available within PlayStation Now, you’ll be paying the Premium rate of $159.99 every 12 months.
PlayStation Now Subscription: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the current subscription landscape, clarifying what happened to PlayStation Now and how to access its features:
1. Is PlayStation Now free?
No, PlayStation Now is not free. However, it is no longer a standalone service. Its features are incorporated into the PlayStation Plus Premium tier, which is a paid subscription.
2. Can I still get a standalone PlayStation Now subscription?
No, the standalone PlayStation Now subscription was discontinued in June 2022. You must now subscribe to PlayStation Plus Premium to access its library and cloud streaming capabilities.
3. What features did PlayStation Now offer before it was discontinued?
PlayStation Now provided access to a large library of games that could be streamed or downloaded to your PlayStation console. This included a wide selection of PS4, PS3, and PS2 games.
4. What is the difference between PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now now?
The difference is that PlayStation Now no longer exists as a separate service. The PlayStation Plus service now has three tiers, with the Premium tier encompassing the original PlayStation Now features like a large game library, game trials, cloud streaming, and classic titles.
5. Do I need PlayStation Plus to play all online games?
For the majority of games you have purchased, you will need PlayStation Plus to play online. However, many free-to-play games like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone do not require a subscription.
6. What are the benefits of PlayStation Plus Essential?
PlayStation Plus Essential provides access to online multiplayer, monthly free games, and exclusive discounts in the PlayStation Store.
7. What does PlayStation Plus Extra include?
PlayStation Plus Extra builds on Essential by adding a catalogue of downloadable PS4 and PS5 games.
8. What does PlayStation Plus Premium offer?
PlayStation Plus Premium includes all the benefits of Essential and Extra, plus cloud streaming, classic games, and game trials. It provides access to the previous PlayStation Now catalog and features.
9. How much does PlayStation Plus Essential cost?
PlayStation Plus Essential costs $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year.
10. How much does PlayStation Plus Premium cost?
PlayStation Plus Premium costs $159.99 per year.
11. If I cancel my PlayStation Plus subscription, do I lose access to games I got through the service?
Yes, you will lose access to any games you downloaded or accessed through the subscription. Once the subscription ends, you can no longer play these games, even if they are still downloaded onto your console.
12. Can I share my PlayStation Plus subscription with a friend on another console?
No, you can only share your games and PlayStation Plus benefits with accounts on one primary console.
13. Are all digital games on PlayStation tied to a subscription?
No, games purchased directly from the PlayStation Store are not tied to your subscription. You own these games, but games downloaded through your PS Plus subscription are linked to your account’s subscription status.
14. Does the PlayStation Plus price ever change?
Yes, PlayStation has the right to change its pricing for any reason. This is why the costs of the subscription tiers have changed over time.
15. What are monthly games in PlayStation Plus?
Monthly games are free games offered to PlayStation Plus subscribers each month. These games are available to download and play as long as your subscription remains active.
Conclusion
While the standalone PlayStation Now subscription is no longer available, its essence lives on within the PlayStation Plus Premium tier. This tier, priced at $159.99 per year, offers access to the game library and streaming capabilities that were previously a part of PlayStation Now. The updated structure of PlayStation Plus provides a more unified gaming experience, combining online multiplayer, free games, and an extensive game library within a single subscription. By understanding the different tiers of PlayStation Plus, you can make the best choice for your gaming needs.