Can I Play With Friends Without PS Plus? The Complete Guide
The short answer is: yes, you can play with friends without PlayStation Plus, but it’s not a blanket “yes” across all PlayStation multiplayer experiences. The necessity of a PS Plus subscription largely depends on the specific game you want to play and the online features you wish to access. While many online multiplayer games require a PlayStation Plus subscription, there are several exceptions and alternative ways to connect with friends on your PlayStation console. This article will explore the nuances of online play without PS Plus, delving into free-to-play games, share play options, party chat, and other workarounds.
When Do You Need PlayStation Plus for Multiplayer?
Most paid games that offer online multiplayer on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 require an active PlayStation Plus subscription to access those online features. This is the standard for titles that you’ve purchased on disc or downloaded from the PlayStation Store. However, the landscape is shifting, with many free-to-play games offering online multiplayer without the need for a PS Plus subscription.
Free-to-Play Games: A Gateway to Online Play Without PS Plus
The rise of free-to-play titles has provided a significant opportunity to engage in online gaming without requiring a PS Plus membership. Games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone have gained massive popularity, and these titles allow you to connect with friends for online matches without a subscription. Other popular titles falling into this category include Dauntless, Final Fantasy 14, Rocket League, Paladins, Rec Room, and many more. These games represent a large pool of multiplayer experiences accessible to all PlayStation owners.
Games Requiring Subscription
Even if a game has an online component, it doesn’t always mean it needs PS Plus. Titles like The Crew 2 explicitly note that you need either Xbox Game Pass Core or Ultimate subscription, or an active PlayStation Plus subscription for online modes on consoles. Always check the PlayStation™Store page of a game to confirm if PS Plus is necessary for online play before purchasing.
Beyond Multiplayer: Other Ways to Connect With Friends
PlayStation offers various ways to connect with your friends beyond traditional multiplayer gaming, some of which don’t require a PlayStation Plus subscription.
Share Play: Sharing Gameplay Without PS Plus
Share Play allows you to share your game screen with a friend, essentially giving them a virtual couch co-op experience. There are three share play modes, and for the basic mode of simply watching, there is no need for either player to have PlayStation Plus. The visitor is not able to operate your screen, making it more like sharing gameplay footage in real time. You can play with people who have a PS5 or a PS4.
Party Chat: Staying Connected
You can still communicate with your friends through PlayStation’s party chat feature without a PS Plus subscription. You can create message chats and use a microphone (ideally with a headset) to communicate while playing single-player games or free-to-play titles that don’t require a subscription to connect.
Understanding PlayStation Plus Subscription Tiers
For those who decide a PlayStation Plus membership is right for them, it’s helpful to understand the different tiers available:
PlayStation Plus Essential
The base tier, PlayStation Plus Essential, is the most affordable option. It is required for online play in most paid games and also provides two monthly downloadable games, exclusive discounts, and cloud storage for game saves. This tier is often the bare minimum for many players wanting to participate in online multiplayer. The current price for essential is around $80 per year.
PlayStation Plus Extra
The PlayStation Plus Extra tier builds on the essential tier by adding a catalog of hundreds of PS4 and PS5 games. However, this tier doesn’t offer day-one releases, meaning you won’t get the latest releases on this tier. This tier costs $135 per year and adds a vast catalog of games for players.
PlayStation Plus Premium
The highest tier, PlayStation Plus Premium, includes everything in the Essential and Extra tiers and adds a collection of classic retro games. This tier also offers cloud streaming for some titles. At $160 per year, this tier provides the most comprehensive PlayStation experience, although many gamers find the other tiers sufficient.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do I need PS Plus to play all games online with friends?
No, you do not need PS Plus to play all games online with friends. Many free-to-play games don’t require a subscription for online multiplayer. However, most paid games require PS Plus for online access.
2. Can I play “A Way Out” with a friend without PS Plus?
While “A Way Out” requires both players to have an active PlayStation Plus subscription or Xbox Live Gold account for console play, the host only needs a full version of the game; the second player can play with a demo version.
3. Can I join PlayStation parties without PS Plus?
Yes, you can join PlayStation parties and chat with friends even without a PS Plus subscription. You don’t need a subscription for messaging and voice chat features.
4. Can I use Share Play with friends if I don’t have PS Plus?
Yes, you can use Share Play without PS Plus. The basic mode which is simply sharing the gameplay footage in real-time does not require PS plus.
5. How do I play The Crew 2 with friends without PS Plus?
Unfortunately, you cannot play online multiplayer in The Crew 2 on consoles without an active Xbox Game Pass Core or Ultimate subscription (Xbox) or a PlayStation Plus subscription (PS).
6. Which free games can I play online without PS Plus?
Popular free games that don’t require PS Plus for online play include Fortnite, Apex Legends, Call of Duty: Warzone, Dauntless, Rocket League, Paladins, Rec Room, and many others.
7. Can I share my PS Plus with multiple friends?
No, you can only share your PS Plus subscription with one other account on a different PlayStation console. You cannot share with multiple users on the same console.
8. What happens if my PS Plus subscription expires?
When your PS Plus subscription ends, you will lose access to any games you downloaded as part of your subscription. However, any purchased DLC, redeemed avatars, and any discounted PS Plus purchases are yours to keep.
9. Can I play Only Up with friends without PS Plus?
Only Up: With Friends is a multiplayer game, so you would typically need an active Playstation Plus subscription to play online with friends.
10. Can two PlayStations use the same account?
Yes, but only on one at a time. If you log in to your account on a second PlayStation, you will be logged out of the first PlayStation.
11. Can I play games on a second PlayStation console?
Yes, on the second Playstation, your main account needs to be online to play the games. If the main account is not set as primary on the second Playstation, then they will still be able to play online and use the games.
12. What are the different PS Plus tiers and their prices?
The PS Plus tiers and their estimated annual prices are: Essential ($80), Extra ($135), and Premium ($160). The PS Plus Extra tier also gives a large catalog of games from the PS4 and PS5 era. Premium offers all the previous tiers benefits plus access to a catalog of retro games.
13. How do I start playing with friends on PlayStation?
To play with friends online, go to the control center, select Game Base, then invite either an individual friend, a group, or a party to a game.
14. Is it worth paying for PS Plus?
Whether PS Plus is worth it depends on your gaming habits. If you frequently play online multiplayer games, the Essential tier is often necessary. The Extra tier can be worth it for access to a large catalog of games, but may not add new games frequently enough.
15. How can I share my PS4 games with friends?
The Share Play feature allows you to share your game screen with a friend in real-time. Select a friend from your friends list, and then load the game. Press the share button on your Dualshock 4 controller, then choose Share Play.
Conclusion
While a PlayStation Plus subscription is required for online multiplayer in the majority of paid games, there are ample opportunities to play with friends on PlayStation without a subscription. Free-to-play games, Share Play, and party chat all provide valid avenues for connecting with others, regardless of your PS Plus status. Understanding the nuances of PS Plus and the variety of available options empowers you to choose the right path for your specific gaming needs. Always check the game’s details on the PlayStation™Store to determine if PS Plus is required for online multiplayer.