Playstation Plus is the membership service provided by Sony for Playstation users. There are three different tiers of the subscription, but the most basic level is Playstation Plus Essential. This gives players access to a new selection of games every month, cloud storage, and online multiplayer, as well as a few other perks.
Game Library
Every month, subscribers get access to a library of free games(aside from the subscription cost) that they can play as long as they are subscribers. Here is the current catalog of games they have available this month.
With higher tier subscriptions, players get access to better, more popular games and even some test releases. They also get some special game content like skins and cosmetics they can enjoy in their games.
Cloud Storage
Another feature of Playstation Plus is the Cloud Storage. Players can store up to 100 GB of game data in the cloud. This makes it easy for players to go to other Playstation consoles and pick up in a game right where they left off.
For example, if something happens to the console they currently play on, and they are forced to buy a new one, they can easily retrieve their progress in games because it is saved on the cloud.
Online Multiplayer
Many games have an online multiplayer mode that allows users to play with other gamers around the world. For most games on the Playstation, to be able to play online, you have to Playstation Plus, though that’s not true for every game.
They will be able to join with their friends in the games and work cooperatively or fight against each other; however, many popular games involve pitting random players together to fight it out to the last man or team.
There is no way of knowing ahead of time or controlling who players will be with in the game. If the game employs voice chats, then players also have the possibility of being in chat with those players.
Another aspect of online multiplayer is SharePlay. This lets users play online with specifically their friends. It acts as if they were there in the same room, playing a local game.
What Does It Cost?
There are three tiers of subscription for Playstation Plus, Essential, Extra, and Premium. The Essential Subscription costs about $10 per month, while the Extra costs about $15. The Premium isn’t much more at $18. You can also subscribe to 3 month or annual plans for a little less money overall.
Each tier brings a little bit more to the table, and you can see the details here.
The Wrap-Up
Playstation Plus opens up the game console to a whole new world of content that your kids didn’t previously have access to. They can play lots of different games for free, play with other players around the world, and keep their game data secure through cloud storage.
It has its pros and cons. If your worried about your kids getting involved with strangers online, you may not want to subscribe to this service. Or you may want to try and lock it down through parental controls. Regardless of your decision, we recommend staying involved with your kids anytime their online and helping them to stay safe.