During the rollout of a new PlayStation Plus format, regions outside Europe began testing in the early hours of a weekend in late June 2022. The new subscription model expands beyond traditional offerings and introduces a multi tier system across several markets including Hong Kong and Taiwan while Japan remains on a different timeline. As feedback arrived from users and marketers alike, early comments focused on how subscriptions are managed and how pricing is structured. Some customers expressed frustration with what they perceive as inconsistent billing practices and unclear upgrade paths from existing plans.
PS Plus members in markets where the renewal cycle already changed reported two main concerns. First, the system does not allow upgrades to shorter terms when a user has remaining prepaid time, which means existing credits constrain flexibility. Second, promotions or discounts used during retroactive upgrades may not be honored in the way some customers expect. The following sections detail these situations and what they mean for players.
First experiences with the service
The primary issue concerns upgrade timing. Players found that upgrades align with the prepaid period left on their accounts, which prevents selecting a shorter period when upgrading. With the new structure, many current subscribers automatically become a base tier member named PS Plus Essential. To access the catalog of games, a further upgrade to higher tiers such as PS Plus Extra or PS Plus Deluxe is required. If a player has prepaid time extending well into the future, upgrading to a premium tier for a shorter term is not possible; both the cheapest and more advanced plans must be bought together to obtain a longer subscription window.
A second concern involves discounts tied to existing subscriptions. In some cases Sony applies retroactive charges during a standard upgrade if a plan was purchased at a discount. This retroactive billing can feel unexpected to users who expected a simple upgrade without additional charges. A third noteworthy point is that multiple versions of the same title appear in the catalog or in different language options, which can inflate perceived reach when catalog claims show 400 plus titles. This situation has prompted some users to discuss formal action against the provider, given perceived inconsistencies in catalog presentation and pricing.
New subscription models
In June the PlayStation Plus service merges with PlayStation Now to form a unified PlayStation Plus platform. The update introduces three tier options designed to offer a broader range of benefits. The following overview outlines the distinct subscription paths:
Initially the service retains the familiar element of two downloadable games each month, ongoing member discounts, cloud storage for saved data, and online multiplayer access. The monthly price for this base tier remains stable at eight point ninety nine euros for subscribers in the region.
The next tier, which includes all benefits of the Basic level, adds a catalog of up to four hundred games compatible with PS4 and PS5. At this level users can download titles directly to their console. The monthly price for this tier is thirteen point ninety nine euros.
The top tier builds on the Extra tier by adding access to a significantly larger library, including cloud streaming for PS3 titles and a catalog of classics from the original PlayStation era, along with PS2 and PSP titles. This tier also provides access to limited time game trials. The monthly price for this premium option is sixteen point ninety nine euros.
Across these transitions Sony aims to deliver expanded access while preserving backward compatibility with existing libraries and offering new ways to explore classic titles. Customers evaluating upgrades should consider their preferred platform, whether they value downloadable access or streaming options, and how much time they expect to spend with each game library. The evolving structure signals a broader strategy to unify services under a single umbrella while keeping options transparent for a wide audience. Audience feedback continues to shape how terms are communicated and how promotions are applied, with ongoing discussions about pricing, upgrade rules, and catalog consistency as the service matures. The shift reflects the growing demand for flexible gaming subscriptions that blend new releases with beloved classics, all accessible across Nintendo devices and PC equivalents where supported as the ecosystem expands. User experiences and industry commentary will likely influence future refinements or policy clarifications as the rollout progresses. [Source attribution: Sony communications and user reports]