PlayStation Plus Thread: Plus What? PLUS EVERYTHING!

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Well - just bought a Western Digital Scorpio Black 500gb 7200rpm 16mb 2.5" SATA for my Slim... thanks to Plus. I have just 19gb left after downloading a few games this month and that's AFTER deleting some games and gamed data to make room on my 120.

With Amazon/Discover points I picked up the drive for $34.01 shipped.

BOOM! Now I get to keep my installs, lol.
 
When do you guys think LBP2, Motorstorm Apocalypse and Infamous 2 will get replaced? On the EU blog it says "available all year round". Does that mean forever or just 2012?
 
I just went on the store to buy the Borderlands DLC while it was on discount. I figured it still would be since I never saw it appear in the "Expiring soon" section, and I check it every week. Then I find it and see that it's at full price again.

Wtf? Do they quietly expire content like this often?
 
I just went on the store to buy the Borderlands DLC while it was on discount. I figured it still would be since I never saw it appear in the "Expiring soon" section, and I check it every week. Then I find it and see that it's at full price again.

Wtf? Do they quietly expire content like this often?

not usually, sounds like someone screwed up
 
I hope it's not just Blitz. I have zero interest in sports or sports games.

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I was thinking we'd probably get an Assassin's Creed game for free. But then they announced the Ezio trilogy so I dunno. Maybe Assassin's Creed 1 lol
 
I hope it's not just Blitz. I have zero interest in sports or sports games.
I hope not, but I am more favorable to more arcade-y approaches to sports games so I'll give Blitz a fair try in case it does it for me.
I was thinking we'd probably get an Assassin's Creed game for free. But then they announced the Ezio trilogy so I dunno. Maybe Assassin's Creed 1 lol
That's what I'd expect from Ubi.
 
I was actually kind of excited for Blitz until I found out it's a PSN game. I need a lot more than that :\

"This free shit isn't good enough!"
I think SCEA (the ones who I believe thought of PS+ in the first place) didn't intend on giving away so much, but after Welcome Back and a few other exceptions (June 2012 a major example), now they have to give away tons of free games a month, and not only that, having reputable or mainstream name value as well (or people will complain like above).

So all the niche games that many are interested in but wouldn't really buy are as normal, while games that would sell boatloads are just given for free. I can't count the amount of times I've seen "great, game A comes out this week! Time to get a PSN $20 card...oh, it's free on Plus".
They've been giving away so much a new term had to be used, "Instant Game Collection". Ugh.

The other thing with PS+ is I think it is starting to deteriorate product value in PSN games and as a result there's a gradual decrease in general sales on PSN games. Not as many are buying anymore now that SCEA/SCEE decide to give some new games free a month later or day one.

Looking at it from a business standpoint, many consumers don't put much value into something that's given for free; perhaps they're wondering why some of it is free...is it because it's "bad"?

Another nitpick from my end is that these free games become prime targets of trophy cheaters, previously sometimes rare 100%s become worthless after that, but I won't emphasize on this point because I know what I'll hear. It's just another example of SCE being apathetic and only acting on what's easy (giving dev/pub A some cash and changing a price tag to say "free") instead of fixing, solidifying or adding new features.

I understand I'm in the minority for thinking what PS+ has become is somewhat of a negative thing. Because if something if free, most people won't think twice.
 
"This free shit isn't good enough!"
I think SCEA (the ones who I believe thought of PS+ in the first place) didn't intend on giving away so much, but after Welcome Back and a few other exceptions, now they have to give away tons of free games a month, and not only that, having reputable mainstream name value as well (or people will complain like above). So all the niche games that many are interested in but wouldn't really buy are as normal, while games that would sell boatloads are just given for free. They've been giving away so much a new term had to be used, "Instant Game Collection". Ugh.

The other thing with PS+ is I think it is starting to deteriorate product value in PSN games and as a result there's a gradual decrease in general sales on PSN games. Not as many are buying anymore now that SCEA/SCEE decide to give some new games free a month later or day one. Another nitpick from my end is that these free games become prime targets of trophy cheaters, previously sometimes rare 100%s become worthless after that, but I won't emphasize on this point because I know what I'll hear.

I understand I'm in the minority for thinking what PS+ has become is somewhat of a negative thing. Because if something if free, most people won't think twice.
Plus isn't free though. People have every right to complain.
 
Plus isn't free though. People have every right to complain.

Right, but take a look at just how much content is given for free. It far outweighs the $50 USD per year fee. If one freebie isn't up to par, I'm sure SCEA/SCEE will make sure to get some other big name games out for free so nobody complains.

What I'm ultimately saying is, it's bred a culture of drones spouting things like "will this be free on Plus?" for every game announced or mentioned coming to PSN in the future.

How do you think developers feel when a now huge percentage of PSN users don't buy new games anymore or "will this be free on Plus" is the first thing asked? Maybe their next game will be only on XBLA or Steam, both of which sees better new release sales than PSN. Or maybe there won't be a next game, since they couldn't even break even on PSN thanks to the new PS+ mentality.

When PS+ launched in 2010 it had a lot of promise, but now it's just "freebie service" (of games personally I've already bought or not interested in, but that's my case).

Giving all of this away for free is in my opinion an extension of the effort of restoring goodwill lingering from Welcome Back, and frankly it's a lazy effort to just mark things as "free" instead of instilling goodwill by actually adding new features or other value. Loyalty bribery. How about doing something about trophy cheaters? How about my Vita friends show up online on PS3? What about Vita trophies showing in the list there? Glaring, simple issues (among others) that are getting no acknowledgement.

Point is, people are always looking for more value in things they're invested in, and you really can't blame them for it.

There's looking for value, then there's being a pathetic moocher who demands every product to be free, regardless of personal income.
 
Right, but take a look at just how much content is given for free. It far outweighs the $50 USD per year fee. If one freebie isn't up to par, I'm sure SCEA/SCEE will make sure to get some other big name games out for free so nobody complains.

What I'm ultimately saying is, it's bred a culture of drones spouting things like "will this be free on Plus?" for every game announced or mentioned coming to PSN in the future.

When PS+ launched in 2010 it had a lot of promise, but now it's just "freebie service" (of games personally I've already bought or not interested in, but that's my case).
Eh, Sony pulled a Netflix and it's their own fault really. You can't give out a ton of stuff one month and nothing the next, and of course people are going to be asking for more free PSN games with Plus. Who wouldn't want more? If Sony doesn't like it, they shouldn't have added a ton of games in one month. Spreading it out would have probably helped out a lot in that case.

Point is, people are always looking for more value in things they're invested in, and you really can't blame them for it.
 
So I signed up for this today, which is is a pretty big deal for me since I'm against anything subscription based, but hey for $44 (had some money in the PSN wallet for some reason) for a year I want to see if the free stream of content is worth it.

A couple of thoughts. First, I went giddy with all the shit I got right out of the box. LBP2? Sideways? Outland? Starhawk Single player? Jesus. Got some Pac-Man game on a whim (it's the fastest one to download. Wireless on my PS3 is shit and is capped at like 3.0 Mbps. Never could figure out how to fix that :( ) and ended up playing that for like an hour. I already feel I'll be getting WAY more than my money's worth over the next year.

On the downside, I'm down to like 27 GB on my 120 GB hard drive (bought PS3 in 2009). I have a question regarding that. How does upgrading the hard drive work? Is all the data transferrable? I remember some time ago certain games couldn't be like Demon's Souls, Super Street Fighter IV, etc., both of which I have, neither of whose games saves I want to lose.

Another question on the whole "content that expires" thing. So long as I have requested the download at least once I get to "keep" that game past the month in which it's offered, right (so long as I'm subscribed, blah blah)? What would stop me from just requesting the download for every game? Is there some kind of limit, or can I literally claim every piece of content that's offered on PS+?

Lotsa noob questions I know, but I'm new at PS+ and I want to iron out some doubts I gots.
 
On the downside, I'm down to like 27 GB on my 120 GB hard drive (bought PS3 in 2009). I have a question regarding that. How does upgrading the hard drive work? Is all the data transferrable? I remember some time ago certain games couldn't be like Demon's Souls, Super Street Fighter IV, etc., both of which I have, neither of whose games saves I want to lose.
The locked saves only apply to transferring to different systems, if you're just upgrading the hard drive the backup utility will restore everything. But since you're a member of Plus now, you can even transfer and back up locked saves thanks to the Cloud Save feature (it's a large part of the reason everyone was so excited for it). In fact, I'd recommend you go ahead and start uploading saves anyway.

Another question on the whole "content that expires" thing. So long as I have requested the download at least once I get to "keep" that game past the month in which it's offered, right (so long as I'm subscribed, blah blah)? What would stop me from just requesting the download for every game? Is there some kind of limit, or can I literally claim every piece of content that's offered on PS+?
If it's in your download history, it's yours as long as the subscription lasts. And if you let your subscription expire, you get everything back when you resubscribe (or at least you're supposed to, there have been bugs...). I think claiming every piece of content is kinda the point, go for it. :)
 
How do you think developers feel when a now huge percentage of PSN users don't buy new games anymore or "will this be free on Plus" is the first thing asked? Maybe their next game will be only on XBLA or Steam, both of which sees better new release sales than PSN. Or maybe there won't be a next game, since they couldn't even break even on PSN thanks to the new PS+ mentality.

But Sony has reported PSN sales are up since the introduction of PS+. Not everyone is a PS+ member and positive buzz from members who got the game free should encourage sales from non-members. PS+ discounts on digital releases also encourage sales. PS+ can also have the effect of swaying multi-console owners to favor purchases on the PS3 over the 360. All together it's probably a net positive, especially compared to XBLA where it's widely reported game sales are on a steep decline.
 
But Sony has reported PSN sales are up since the introduction of PS+. Not everyone is a PS+ member and positive buzz from members who got the game free should encourage sales from non-members. PS+ discounts on digital releases also encourage sales. PS+ can also have the effect of swaying multi-console owners to favor purchases on the PS3 over the 360. All together it's probably a net positive, especially compared to XBLA where it's widely reported game sales are on a steep decline.

Sources?
 
But Sony has reported PSN sales are up since the introduction of PS+. Not everyone is a PS+ member and positive buzz from members who got the game free should encourage sales from non-members. PS+ discounts on digital releases also encourage sales. PS+ can also have the effect of swaying multi-console owners to favor purchases on the PS3 over the 360. All together it's probably a net positive, especially compared to XBLA where it's widely reported game sales are on a steep decline.

I know I'm just one guy but I feel invested in XBLA because of the jumpstart and achievements. I don't really think there's anything Sony could do besides making the games free that would make me jump, it's just my preference because it's what I'm already invested in. Even the PS+ discounts haven't made me want to buy from PSN because I always have that thought in the back of my mind that "I could be playing this on Xbox." I guess it also doesn't help that none of the PSN exclusives really interest me.

It would take a lot to make me switch permanently, and that would likely be when Live shuts down.
 
I'm sure it technically means sales are positive for PS+ subscriptions (which would technically factor in to "overall PSN sales"), not necessarily your normal new release game that doesn't get PS+ treatment (free or discount). And who is to say they aren't interchanging the word "sales" with "downloads"? Whatever the case, we aren't getting sales numbers of each game per month that comes out, and leaderboard numbers are shaky territory.

Going back to the "loss of product value" argument. An example can be when PS+ launched and the first free game for the month from what I remember was Wipeout HD. And it was a special thing for people. But now one game isn't special anymore, now that SCEA/SCEE have spoiled the consumer with one too many "exception" months that they can't even back out of it anymore. 3 isn't special anymore. 5 isn't. Even 7 isn't. And you sure as hell better make sure those 7+ games have mainstream name recognition, or PS+ Drone Joe will be angry.
 
I'm sure it technically means sales are positive for PS+ subscriptions (which would technically factor in to "overall PSN sales"), not necessarily your normal new release game that doesn't get PS+ treatment (free or discount). And who is to say they aren't interchanging the word "sales" with "downloads"? Whatever the case, we aren't getting sale numbers of each game per month that comes out, and leaderboard numbers are shaky territory.

But I buy more stuff from PSN because of PSN plus discount too....
 
But I buy more stuff from PSN because of PSN plus discount too....

Not only that but I'd bet that PS+ actually helps boost the profile of the PS Store, resulting in more people checking it out and ultimately buying stuff. It's a pretty simple concept and one of the biggest reasons why Valve has been so successful with Steam.

Which is also why Sony need to hurry the fuck up and create a website that lets you browse/buy from the PS Store without having to actually boot your PS3/Vita up to do so. I've no doubt that would increase traffic a ton.

"Decreased value" was a lame argument when EA tried to use it against Steam and it's still lame now. Yes, some people may just wait for a game to be given away or be put on sale but they shouldn't be dwelled on at all, as getting more people to visit the store should by far outweigh them.
 
These convos are interesting. As a person who just purchased a PS3 Thursday, and has had a 360 for 6 years or so, let me tell you my take:

- Plus adds a load of value to this system for me. I didn't have to go out and buy Ratchet and Clank: All 4 one, Infamous 2, or some form of LBP2. Come Nov, I'll get some free games to add to my Vita, too! The subscription pays for itself with the first set of games you get. If I didn't have DDNeon on 360, I'd be hype for that. But now I get to add it and Scott Pilgrim to my PSN backlog, at no extra cost:) Nice way to dupe something I already own on another system onto this one, without any *real* additional cost.

- On top of all that, getting the SP for Starhawk, and all it's DLC for free, is nuts. I haven't gotten into it yet, but man, Plus has already payed for itself. Anything else is basically gravy.

- And I get more deals going forward? Sweet. Downloadable games are pretty much my focus on this system, I don't care much about the "big" exclusives, and Plus helps make much of those cheaper, or gives me many of them for "Free".

CONCLUSION: Yeah, those with the system might whine and moan, but you know, this helps add a LOT of value to the system (and soon the Vita) for new buyers. It's great getting so much worthwhile content, for a price that is well below what buying these things seperate (even on great deals) would (or even SHOULD) cost.

---------

"So much *free* stuff lowers the value" - I feel this way whenever I look at my (fairly modest) amount of Steam purchases. Stuff I should be happy and excited to play, reduced to a footnote at the end of some stupidly-cheap bundle. While I'm happy I have the games in my collection, and I'm happy that people who normally can't get said games, might have had a chance through it, I don't personally like "Race to the bottom" strats, and I DO think it makes a bit of a mockery of the quality of the products you're getting.

However, I think it's a consumer and business issues, that only really clears itself up, when both ends take some responsibility, and realize what's going on.

As a consumer... just beacuse it's offered to you, doesn't mean you have to take it. And if you do, look at each thing in an individual manner. Don't look at free or cheap games as "this is something I got in a lot, it's only worth what I paid!" look at it's value as an individual item. Think about what you're getting, and adjust your desires accordingly. With things like Awesomenauts and DDNeon free on release to + members, back catalog constaly made free in rotation, and discounts on a large variety of items, plus free themes and special promotions, and 60 min full game trials, what room do most + users have to complain, if they take full advantage of the massive variety that the service offers?

And as a Business... you do have to be aware of what kind of message you send to your customers. Sony would do well to make expectations on what to see free from plus very clear; and if they want to pull back (which they probably need to do, with Vita being added in), they can still think of some novel ways.

  • For example, I'd think a 1 or 2 week time to get "new" PSN games for free via Plus, and then them being full pay for all, would work. The announcement that DD Neon will be free to all on Plus to get, until January (download before then, anf it's free "forever"!), is kinda nuts. Game doesn't even have DLC to make extra money off of... no PS3 user who gets a system through Christmas (with Plus) will have to spend any money getting the game. Why such a long period? There are many consumers who'd wonder "Why'd I ever want to pay for any PSN game directly again?"
  • Why not break the Free game offering into games from specific genres? When the selection is too wide, it makes people wary on wondering if they'll waste money on a purchase, to see it pop up free soon. So why not let them know "We'll have a sports game, a shooter, a fighter, and a sony exclusive each month!" or something like that? Games that have no chance of getting included could be bought without a second guess, and the selection would be easier to read, so you could better plan shopping around it.
  • Set some basic rules. "If a game does not get a Plus deal on release, it is unable to appear as a freebie for 6 months", or something to that effect. A new buyer could buy without fear of having a game given away in a few weeks, people on the fence could decide if they'd really like to wait for that possibility, and again, it'd help give some guidelines, to clarify the "Will it be cheap soon?!?!" guessing game.
  • Notify Plus users with how much money they're saving that month, VS buying the "free" products at MSRP. "$200 of FREE games on offer this month! $100 dollars in savings!" Helps make Plus look very cost effective, advertises to the naysayers how much is REALLY on offer, without a huge list of items, and helps even the consumers who might get "burned" have a visual metric of why they really shouldn't be too mad about it.

CONCLUSION...2!: If a consumer feels like their owned products are cheapened by deals, that's an issue they can resolve within themselves.

For a business, it's not so easy. But it begins with clear communication and honesty with customers. Clarity of Purpose and Intent would help a lot more people feel comfortable with their shopping decisions, and this would encourage growth for the service, and games outside the service, in a multitude of ways.

As a multi-console owner, I love the service. It lowers my first game costs by a massive amount, and lets me plumb into the years of the systems gaming history, with a comparatively low cost-of-entry, something I'd never though I'd say about the once-600-bucks PS3.


TL;DR: Plus is a great boon for first time system buyers. But it could use some more stucture, to truly shine!
 
I only just found out that Abe's Oddysee and Exodus are £1 each for Plus members. That is an absolute steal.

Loving PSN's recent sales spree.
 
Hmmm... just bit the bullet on PlayStation+; signed up for three months for AU$20 to check it out and see how it treats me, though some of the big ticket items (RDR, Borderlands etc) I already own.

Was looking at getting Tokyo Jungle anyway; so a AU$4 discount (woot!) meant it was AU$16 for three months (in my mind)

So far (well, downloading ever so slowly)

- Double Dragon Neon
- Just Cause 2
- Scott Pilgrim vs The World

Seems to be going ok..
 
Tokyo Jungle is yours, the discounts are yours to keep forever - it's only the free items that expire when your subscription does. :)
 
Meanwhile, tried Starhawk. Immediately treated to boring shooter, gave up. In my mind (because I hadn't read anything about the game) I kind of hoped for a Colony Wars kind of game. Oh well. :)

Game deleted, more room for upcoming stuff.
 
I just noticed my subscription ends today so it's going to take something massive to get me back since I need the money to save towards a few upcoming games. It'll have to be something like free Ratchet collection.
 
I also just tried Starhawk yesterday. Immediately treated to a workable shooter with awesome RTS elements and great space flight combat. This one really took me by surprise in how much I liked it. Before it was given away free I didn't even know Starhawk had a single player campaign!
 
I pay one time. Saying that you are paying for the games months later is stupid. Nothing is being charged to my credit card 11 out of 12 months.

You'll never win

Every time PS+ gets mentioned

A talking head or 2 will come in go hurr durr it's not free you guys
Like they just got that feeling of satisfaction of "Nailed It!"
 
*multiple walls of text*

I really have to chime in here... specifically on a few points.

"Trophy Cheaters" - how does one go about cheating trophies in PS+ downloads? From my playtime - they aren't any easier to get vs retail versions of the games. How does one "cheat" to attain trophies?

Or are you insinuating that someone who is a trophy hunter will play a game with trophies they would not have otherwise played without plus... somehow... constitutes "cheating"? Is it because they didn't "pay" full price for the game? Is it because you begrudge those who play through games they probably don't like just to get a few trophies?

If so - your logic is extremely flawed as they still have to subject themselves to hours of gameplay just to get them.

You might as well say "rich people are trophy cheaters because they can afford every game on the market whether or not they actually like the game since they have so much money".

Is that not the same? Again... "cheaters"? Let's not destroy any previous points we've made by saying stupid shit like this which clearly shows some sort of inability to show subjectiveness which brings me to...

"Moochers". So you say people are less willing to buy up front if they think the game they are interested in might come to PS+? So they will wait it out? Less PSN sales?

The truth behind this isn't "moochers" - as you so illogically suggest. It's the fact that they are already paying for content - they want to know what are the chances that a game they will pay 60 bucks for will come to PS+ ... they want to limit how much money is spent, since, well, why spend more than you have to on a specific title? Several PS+ games I already own - that makes the service LESS of a value to me than someone who did not already have those titles.

It's about how much value can someone get out of a service. What about other aspects of PS+? Take Starhawk. I'm sure there were people on the fence about purchasing this game - now they get a shake at the SP for free - if they like it - they can invest in the MP portion. A sale could easily be made to someone who would otherwise NOT purchase the game. That is a +1 - not a "mooch" since someone who may have never purchased the title, did purchase it.

Same for DLC. Perhaps someone who never wanted to try LBP will get to play it through PS+ and now finds value in the DLC. Since that person thinks "well... i got the game for free... what's a few extra bucks for some more fun DLC?"

Again... that person who Sony was not making any money off of with LBP - now IS making money off of since he tried the game on PS+

There's a lot more than just the side you are presenting - a lot of which is SUBJECTIVE VALUE - you can't simply call people "moochers" because that is how YOU think.

That is irrational.

Just sayin' man.
 
This whole thing is incredibly confusing to me. I can't believe Sony don't have a "what you get if you join now" page. Can anyone help with this? Basically I'm weighing up a PS3 purchase, and getting plus 90 days, to save me having to buy any of the games I want to play.
 
You'll never win

Every time PS+ gets mentioned

A talking head or 2 will come in go hurr durr it's not free you guys
Like they just got that feeling of satisfaction of "Nailed It!"

Not trying to rain on your parade but it's definitely no "free" if your subscribed amount can be divided into the content downloaded during that subscribed timeframe with a REMAINDER... then that remainder is the cost of those items while subscribed. It also carries an expiration date.

You are paying for a SERVICE, yes. But that service delivers GOODS.

You can't fight facts with fanboyism - it doesn't work, man. I like PS+ but I'm most certainly not going to suggest everything that comes my way from a subscription based service is "FREE"

"I get games on PS+ for free! I just have to pay 50 bucks a year".

I mean... just read that... and yea... seriously.
 
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