Sony Alarms PlayStation Subscribers with Unforeseen Price Hike
PlayStation gamers were taken by surprise when Sony recently revealed an unexpected price hike for its PS Plus subscription service. Alongside the announcement of this month's lineup of free games for subscribers, the company also unveiled pricing changes to its 12-month plans.
Discounts for Loyal Fans Reduced
Previously, PlayStation Plus subscribers who paid for an annual subscription upfront enjoyed a discounted rate compared to monthly subscribers. However, Sony has now decided to reduce this incentive for its most loyal fans, citing the price hike as a necessary move.
"This price adjustment will enable us to continue bringing high-quality games and value-added benefits to your PlayStation Plus subscription service," the company explained.
New Prices Take Effect from September 6, 2023
The price increase will only impact 12-month subscriptions across all markets and PS Plus subscription tiers. Here are the new prices that will be in effect starting from September 6, 2023:
- PlayStation Plus Essential (12 months) – £59.99/$79.99 (was £49.99/$59.99)
- PlayStation Plus Extra (12 months) – £99.99/$134.99 (was £83.99/$99.99)
- PlayStation Plus Premium (12 months) – £119.99/$159.99 (was £99.99/$119.99)
The annual Essential tier subscription will be £10/$20 more expensive, Extra will cost £17/$35 more, and Premium subscribers will have to pay an additional £20/$40 per year. These adjustments result in price hikes of 17% to 35%, depending on the subscription tier and currency.
Higher Percentage Increase for US Subscribers
Interestingly, US subscribers appear to be facing a higher percentage increase compared to their UK counterparts.
Price Hike Follows PS5 Game Streaming Announcement
This announcement regarding the price hike comes shortly after PlayStation revealed the addition of PS5 game streaming to PS Plus. This feature allows subscribers of the highest tier, PS Plus Premium, to stream current-gen games in 4K resolution without the need to install them on their consoles.
In addition to the price hike news, Sony presented a rather lacklustre lineup of September 2023 PS Plus Essential games.
Stacking Subscriptions to Save Money
Despite the price increase, PlayStation Plus' yearly subscription prices still offer a discount compared to one-month or three-month subscriptions. However, this discount has been reduced.
Subscribers have a few days until the new prices come into effect, providing an opportunity to stack a year or two (or more) onto their membership at the current lower price. However, this option is only viable for those who have the extra funds available and are confident they will continue to use their subscription in the coming years.
It's worth noting that PlayStation typically offers discounts on its subscriptions around Black Friday. However, it remains uncertain whether the deals in late November will be better than the current price. Stacking years at the lower price will only be possible before September 6, 2023.
Existing 12-month subscribers will not experience a change until their next renewal, if it falls on or after November 6, 2023. However, any changes made after September 6 will result in the subscriber's plan being recalculated based on the new higher prices. These changes include stacking additional subscription time, as well as upgrading or downgrading the subscription tier.
