Is PlayStation Plus Leaving in May? Understanding the Changes
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The short answer is no, PlayStation Plus is not leaving in May. However, there are significant changes happening that might feel like a major shift for subscribers. The PlayStation Plus Collection, a curated library of PS4 games, was removed from the service on May 9, 2023. This has caused confusion and concern, leading many to wonder about the future of PlayStation Plus. This article will clarify the situation, detail what’s changing, and answer frequently asked questions to help you understand the evolving PlayStation Plus landscape.
What Actually Happened in May?
The main event in May was the end of the PlayStation Plus Collection. This collection, offered to PS5 owners with an active PlayStation Plus subscription, provided a selection of popular PS4 games. While the removal is significant, it’s important to distinguish between the Collection and the overall PlayStation Plus service.
The key takeaway is that the PlayStation Plus service itself is not going away. Instead, Sony is shifting its focus towards the newer tiered PlayStation Plus subscription structure: Essential, Extra, and Premium.
The PS Plus Collection was a perk mainly intended to help PS5 owners get a robust library of titles when the console launched. With a solid number of PS5 users established and the library available on the subscription service, this free perk was no longer needed.
Games Removed From the PlayStation Plus Collection
The following games were removed from the PlayStation Plus Collection on May 9th:
- Bloodborne
- Days Gone
- Detroit: Become Human
- God of War
- Infamous Second Son
- Ratchet and Clank
- The Last Guardian
- The Last of Us Remastered
If you had claimed these games before May 9th, you retain access to them as long as you maintain an active PlayStation Plus subscription.
Why Is the PlayStation Plus Collection Being Removed?
While Sony has not provided a definitive reason for the removal of the Collection, it’s widely speculated that the move is intended to streamline the PlayStation Plus offering. The introduction of the PS Plus Extra and Premium tiers made some of the games in the PS Plus Collection redundant. By removing the Collection, Sony likely aims to encourage subscribers to consider upgrading to the higher tiers for a broader selection of games. This is likely to provide more revenue for the company which in return will mean more investment for the company’s games and ecosystem.
PlayStation Plus Tiers: What’s Available Now?
The PlayStation Plus service is now divided into three subscription tiers:
- PlayStation Plus Essential: This is the base tier, offering monthly games, online multiplayer access, cloud saves, and exclusive discounts.
- PlayStation Plus Extra: This tier builds upon Essential, adding a large catalog of PS4 and PS5 games to download and play.
- PlayStation Plus Premium: The highest tier includes all the benefits of Extra, along with a catalog of classic games (PS1, PS2, PSP), game trials, and cloud streaming.
The removal of the PS Plus Collection primarily impacts those on the Essential tier, as they no longer have access to the select library of PS4 games previously available. However, with the increase in price of the other tiers, it is crucial to consider the value of what the services offer.
Are Other Games Being Removed from PlayStation Plus?
Yes, games are routinely added and removed from the PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium game catalogs. This is a common practice with subscription-based services. However, these removals are typically announced with more notice than the removal of the PS Plus collection. For example, games like Assassin’s Creed Vallhala, Spider-Man, and Stray were recently removed from the Extra/Premium tiers. These removals often happen due to licensing agreements or Sony’s strategic decisions. It is becoming increasingly difficult to keep up to date with games both entering and leaving the service.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Will my claimed games disappear if I don’t maintain a PlayStation Plus Subscription?
Yes. If you claim a game through PlayStation Plus, you will only be able to access it while you are an active subscriber. Once your subscription lapses, access to those games will be revoked.
2. If I resubscribe to PlayStation Plus, will I get access to my claimed games again?
Yes. As long as you claimed the games before they left the service, you will regain access to them when you resubscribe.
3. How much is PlayStation Plus Extra?
PlayStation Plus Extra is an ongoing subscription with a recurring fee of $134.99 charged automatically every 12 months.
4. How much is PlayStation Plus Premium?
PlayStation Plus Premium is an ongoing subscription with a recurring fee of $159.99 charged automatically every 12 months.
5. Is Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales Leaving PlayStation Plus?
No. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales will remain on PlayStation Plus.
6. Why was Marvel’s Spider-Man removed from PlayStation Plus?
While no specific reason was provided by Sony, it’s believed that Marvel’s Spider-Man was removed to incentivize direct sales of the game.
7. Are PS4 servers shutting down?
No. Sony has not made any official announcement about ending support for PS4 servers. In fact, they may continue to develop games for the PS4 even with a focus on PS5.
8. Are games being removed from my library because of bad reviews?
No. Games are not removed due to bad reviews. Games are typically removed because of licensing agreements or strategic decisions by Sony. If a game is permanently banned by the platform, this would result in a game being removed from a user’s library.
9. Why do my PS5 games sometimes expire when I am offline?
Ensure that “Console Sharing and Offline Play” is enabled in your PS5’s settings. This prevents the need for frequent license verification, allowing you to play games offline.
10. Will Spider-Man 2 be available on PS Plus soon?
No, not immediately. While Sony has a track record of adding first-party titles to PS Plus, it is likely to be a year or two before Spider-Man 2 is added to the service.
11. Is Ghost of Tsushima on PlayStation Plus?
Yes, the Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR’S CUT is part of the PlayStation Plus service, but not on the base essential tier. It is currently only available on PS Plus Extra and Premium.
12. Is the new Spider-Man, Miles Morales, replacing Peter Parker?
No. Miles Morales is a separate character, taking over the Spider-Man mantle in his own series. Peter Parker was recently killed off in the comic books, but the series is now returning with Peter Parker in it.
13. When is the PS5 Slim launching?
The PS5 Slim launches in November. The version with a disc drive costs $499 while the version without one costs $449.
14. Is PlayStation Plus getting more expensive?
Yes. Sony confirmed that 12-month subscriptions for PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra, and Premium have all seen price increases. This happened at the same time that September’s new Essential games were announced.
15. What is a good length of time for a beginner to play the game Stray?
When focusing on the main objectives, Stray is about 5 hours in length. For a 100% completion, the game could take around 10 hours.
Conclusion
While the PlayStation Plus Collection is indeed gone, the PlayStation Plus service continues with the three-tiered subscription system. The removal of the Collection signifies a change in Sony’s strategy, potentially to promote the Extra and Premium tiers. Keeping informed about these changes and the rotating game catalogs is essential to get the most out of your PlayStation Plus subscription. Pay close attention to announcements of both additions and removals to the service so you can manage your library efficiently and understand the value you are getting for the price of your subscription. The value of each service is different for everyone, and you should assess the value to yourself before deciding on a tier and how it compares to its pricing.