Plus Points: Sony's PS Plus humiliates the game industry

Jim Sterling writes:

'Sony shows subscription services how it's really done

Sony has made a lot of mistakes over the years, and I've cheerily called the publisher out on many of them. For all its hubris, however, and for all its missteps, the PlayStation brand owner is prone to having some really quite brilliant ideas now and then, proving itself surprisingly savvy and innovative when the need arises.'

[Irishguy95]

PS+ is by far the best thing i've subscribed too.

Got Infamous series, Arkham City, Bioshock 2, Motorstorm Apocalypse and more Ps3 games + the Vita instant games...all for 37 quid. Just amazing. And that is only in the 4 months that i've had it.

[shutUpAndTakeMyMoney]

"humiliates the game industry"

Also it the only supported current last gen system!

Nothing happening on xbox.

[realiks]

I am sure nextgen MS will do the same.

[AAACE5]

I like plus and would easily pay for another year just on value. Free games and discounts on stuff i wanted to buy but the price was too steep. I know this gen is ending but sonu did something good with psplus.

[Army_of_Darkness]

Do you still get access to movies, tv shows and videos if you cancel your monthy cable or netflix subscription?? I think NOT.
hell, do you even get offered free movies and discounts while on your cable tv subscriptions??
Nope...also can you get access to N4G if you cancel your internet subscription?? lol!

S0 why is PS+ an issue when its almost exactly the same as any other subscription service, but better!??

[3-4-5]

Only logical step once you've humiliated yourself. And Sony has done that.

I won't hate on them though, they will pull through and be fine...so will the Vita.

Sony NEEDS the PS4 though to kind of restore the confidence in their fans.

I mean I'm just guessing maybe they don't.....but it couldn't hurt. It helps that Sony has Loyal fans though. They complain way too much and get way too defensive about dumb stuff.......but they are good loyal fans.

[OpenGL]

When PS+ was first unveiled I admit that I was skeptical but now that I'm a subscriber I can say that it is definitely worth the price. Sure some of the features like the auto-updates and cloud save system should really be part of the default PSN package but the instant library feature is awesome and is easily worth the $50 a year.

[sensor21]

Funny how this generation is coming to an end and Sony is sticking out their chest all I know is I never went a month without playing a game online its in the past but it is what it is.

[miDnIghtEr20C_SfF]

Stop paying for it, and let me know how fun playing those games still is.

Seems to me you paid for something. Like I pay for something. It's called Live. The better service.

[Imalwaysright]

Yeah you're paying to play something you already payed for: your games.

[3-4-5]

Remember when Sports Illustrated wanted all their magazines back once you stopped subscribing ?

O yea they didn't / don't and nobody else does.

[Mikeyy]

stop paying for LIVE and let me know how COD online is treating you.

Please once and for all, prove how live is a better service, simply reading the article trashes live beyond believe, you can't even deny it.

You pay yearly for cross game chat. thats really all.

[-Alpha]

You are being impractical:

Most the games I have on Plus I enjoy playing, but when I am done playing them, I dont really go back to them. If I want access to those games, I pay up again, or I'll just buy it. The $50 I pay is still justified by the sheer number of free things I get (and enjoy)

The value doesn't change:

I get to play the games I download with Plus, but the point of resubscribing is to invest in the future 12 months. I don't feel cheated if I stop paying and don't get to access old Plus games, because most of the time, I am playing something current.

Plus is fantastic, people pay to access a wide variety of features, no one is saying anything is free, but the value you get when you invest is through the roof. You pay for something because as an Xbox owner, you have no choice. I pay for Plus because I have an option to enhance my experience. The difference is that I genuinely enjoy paying for Plus, I am willing to bet that if access to online became free for Xbox, Gold subscribers would plummet. If you genuinely enjoying paying for the Xbox features, then more power to you, but undoubtedly, the argument here is that Plus is offering a better value while MS takes advantage of their position as market leaders of the online brand.

[LOGICWINS]

Jim hits the nail on the head once again. Its because of Plus that I'm getting a Vita.

[JoGam]

Glad u are making the move.

[USEYOURFIST]

im strongly considering a vita becuase all of the free games...no doubt this was a big factor in sony offering vita stuff on plus for no extra cash

[Double_O_Revan]

It's also that benefit that makes me regret not jumping on the amazing $179 bundle they had in black Friday. But it still might persuade me to get one

[gaffyh]

This article was written by Jim Sterling! He's usually such a Negative Nancy. I totally agree with him on this and always thought XBLive was a ripoff, just a pay wall to access things that should be free.

[Nicaragua]

I just bought a Vita because of plus. I couldn't stand having Uncharted & Gravity Rush sat there doing nothing on my plus account, and now I've just found out that Wipeout and Lumines are coming in February, and on top of that I've got a Vita download of Playstation All Stars which came with my PS3 copy.

If you have a PS+ account then its almost madness not to own a Vita now.

[profgerbik]

You guys will probably get Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus later on also, we are getting that today in NA PS+.

That isn't including other games they give you like a free PSP game, Jet Set Radio and other games like Retro City Rampage which are all fun.

EU PS+ users getting Sleeping Dog and then we just got Bioshock 2 not too long ago I mean those are AAA games here they are letting you play for free basically based on the entire value of what they offer you.

[Gamer1982]

Funnily enough its the sole reason pushing me to Vita. I'm building up a nice collection now. So its a double winner for Sony as it will probably sell Vitas.

[izumo_lee]

Jim actually has a good point. In a gen that has asked to give more for content (DLC,on disc DLC,microtransactions) that makes a $60 game actually cost much much more.

Sony with PS+ are actually giving stuff away for consumer loyalty. Your $50 a year subscription can amount to as Jim states over 2K worth of content. That is worth you money that is all i can say.

Sony has done a lot of mistakes this gen but the presentation of PS+ shows that Sony are quite capable of great things.

[TongkatAli]

Sony has done the best job this gen, keeping it real. Sony gives you nice hardware that doesn't feel cheap and a awesome library of games. PS+ is the icing on the cake.

360 and Wii/WiiU are awesome too.

[Hellsvacancy]

My PS3 slim feels cheap, I much prefer my old fatty PS3, still, "its whats on the inside that counts"

[iamnsuperman]

I agree and I love it. The rewarding system works and it also gives me some games I would never had bought/play because of several factors but now I am more interested in their sequel. (Infamous was a big example of this).

There are other schemes other companies have done. For instance, watching trailers to unlock several hours of free gameplay which are also an interesting idea and I wouldn't mind being introduced in gaming as a whole in the future but Plus is a good, underrated service. Okay it is a glorified rental service but I never felt like I was being cheated with my subscription.

[hennessey86]

Ps plus is an out standing service, I'm looking forward to getting sleeping dogs as I didn't buy it. I hope Microsoft start something similar soon or next gen to at least try and justify the Xbox live fee.

[hades07]

Microsoft definitely needs to do follow Sony's online strategy next generation. Free app usage and online gaming, the extras you pay for. For example, I have netflix, nhl gamecentre and other apps that I use on my two xboxes but only have one live gold account because my girlfriend never plays xbox, so when she wants to watch netflix in one room, I cant play online or watch netflix in the other. We are seriously considering getting a PS3 right now just for this option.

[GusBricker]

Do plus members get better download speeds, etc?

[iamnsuperman]

Nope. It is just content like full game trails, betas, full games/DLC, discounts, online saves...

[ABizzel1]

There's also scheduled updates, patch downloads, etc... that are taken for granted, but really nice. It's good being able to ALWAYS put your game in and play without having to wait for a new patch to download and install.

[ABizzel1]

I doubt it. I think that's more of a infrastructure thing. However, PS+ allows your PS3 to update all aspects of your console and games, such as patches, firmware, and even download FREE content (demos and I think videos) depending on the time you set it up, which prevents the need to worry about download speeds in most circumstances.

[GusBricker]

Thanks...

[Riderz1337]

Nope but we do get things such as automatic updates. You know how sometimes you have to update your PS3's firmware? If you have PS Plus it will download it for you while you are online playing games. You don't have to sit and look at the download screen. The speed of the download is completely based on your internet connection.

[InTheLab]

Speeds are the same but you do get automatic updates. I have the Borderlands season pass and content is there the next time I turn on my PS3. I set it up so It downloads between 2-4am. PS+ will automatically update any game you recently played with patches or dlc...and it's awesome.

Now, Xbox does allow for downloading while idle but it's all manual. Had to go find my Blops 2 maps and set up the dl instead of turning on my console and playing...

[hazardman]

No. Its the same, but does it matter. Xbl gold doesn't give you faster DL speeds either. Although Dl have always been faster on xbox I don't think it has anything to do with the service.

[Karpetburnz]

I have never had any problems with download speeds on PSN.

[abzdine]

i love PS+! and if you have PS3 and Vita it's X2 combo with the same PS+ account..

i got it in the beginning just for the online storage and the auto updates it's so confortable in case i lose all data, but with the games, betas and exclusives they always offer i'm hooked forever.

thank you sony for caring about gamers!

[iamnsuperman]

"thank you sony for caring about gamers"

Sony have gotten a lot of stick this generation but they have actually given gamers what they want. From this service to releasing new ips. How many companies could you say have released new ips consistently over this generation? It is a rarity.

[abzdine]

imagine 3 new AAA IPs in one year i couldn't wish for more!! I throw my wallet violently at the screen everytime i see a trailer of one of these :D

Beyond
The Last of Us
Ni No Kuni

2013 will be a great year for PS3 owners.

[kayoss]

You think gow 3 will come to ps+ before ascension is released?

[N4Flamers]

I believe sony has done a lot of things right and some things are lacking. No one can argue with all the great exclusives we get except for my wallet.

I think some of the mistakes they made this gen will help them with the ps4 and I'm glad they have an online strategy that rewards gamers instead of penalizing them.

[Smurf1]

PS Plus is an amazing service, glad to know Jim likes it. I think it's one of the best things Sony has ever done.

[juandren]

That was definitely worth the read. Sony is working with a risky strategy to increase loyalty and consumer base, but damn it will work out well in the end

[Nelson M]

Whats not to like about PS Plus
The Service is A+ with a PS+ thrown in there for the hell of it

[iNathan]

Its a Great Value, Microsoft should do the same with Live Gold, it will be much more worth the money.

Live is an awesome service but lacks the vision Sony has for Ps Plus, to play online Live is King but if you just want to enjoy games Ps Plus is the best thing aroud.

Giving you shittons of games a year for 60dollars... you are saving hundreds of dollars by having that service.

Applauses Sony!

[cee773]

$50 a year

[DwightOwen]

Don't forget the discounts on certain games as well.

[GribbleGrunger]

I never ever intended to subscribe to PS+. There was no WAY that I would pay £39 a year for a list of random games. It felt like a punt to me. There was too much risk involved. Would I actually WANT the games they offered? Nope! There's no way on earth that I would EVER SUBSCRIBE! ... but

I'm good to go until 3/4/2014! How the hell did that happen?

[Riderz1337]

They started giving out quality games, that's what happened.

DarkSiders, Bioshock 2, RE 5 Gold Edition, inFamous 2, LBP 2 etc... Eagerly waiting to see what we get this month.

Edit - @GribbleGrunger, I know the feel bro...I'm almost done Bioshock 2 and haven't even touched DarkSiders. Then next week we will be getting another PS3 game. Sony is suffocating me with games and I love it.

[GribbleGrunger]

this is what I'll be getting!

6th February: Sleeping Dogs
6th February: Quantum Conundrum
6th February: F1 Race Stars
13th February: WipEout 2048
20th February: Lumines Electronic Symphony

That's Europe. How the friggin hell am I supposed to fit these in around Ni No Kuni?

[solidjun5]

It's really an amazing service. I can't wait for Sleeping dogs.

[nosferatuzodd]

Amen brother preach .. Lol

[jjb1981]

I just renewed and got 3 extra months on top of the 12

[vlonjati77]

I hate PS+,I will stop subscribing after my grand grand son becomes a father.I am 35 now and have only a 3 year old kid.:b

[CommonSenseGamer]

I think PS+ is fantastic and provides great value for money. Only question I have is what it does to lifetime sales of many of the games that are covered by the subscription. Do developers get a percentage of PS+ subs based on how many times their game was downloaded? How does it work?

[lovegames718]

lol at gribble...

But yeah some haters say"but but you dont keep your games" which may be true but i do keep thse games massively discounted as a plus member. That doesn't disappear . That alone is worth it to me. Sometimes plus members get up to like 40% discounts thts awesome .

[Hicken]

There's a bunch of stuff up to 50% off right now. I'm gonna need to add more funds to my wallet REAL soon.

[mayberry]

And some forget that ALL PS1 games are free FOREVER after being downloaded from PS+.

[Picnic]

So they should be. I bought Crash Team Racing and it looks like a garbled mess.
My advice is to only play games that have been converted in to HD on a HDTV. Otherwise it will not be as good as what it was like when you played it on the PS1 on a non-HD TV.
Most PS1 games won't look very good regardless so I'd stick with PS2 HD conversions if anything.

Also, if you play a game like Silent Hill 3, which is all about confined spaces and deliberately grainyish graphics, it will still feel better now on a non-HD small TV.

[r21]

Wait what? For real? I thought all games downloaded from plus arent playable after the subscription ended?

[mayberry]

ps1 games, mini games, premium themes and avatars and some vids that can go on the HDD. so the arguments concerning not being able to keep games after ps+ subscription expires is really weak, imho, for the simple fact that a subscriber does in fact get 'free' games forever, and also, the 'ps3' games are usually finished and not played again.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

OffTopic: Well lets get one thing clear, the only reason why MS hasn't sold say 85 to 90 million consoles by now is because of XBL. If XBL gold was free it would be outselling PS3 by now. Especially with games like Halo, gears Fable and many, many AAA XBL titles. MS does indeed lock out its customers by gambling with the likes of XBL, unless they pay for XBL. But just imagine if that was lifted now or next gen?

On topic: PSN+ does offers allot more than XBL. And PSN is good for people who just want to go online right away with out any hassle. But with XBL is for the online gamer who wants the best online experience that you can get on a console. So they can play Halo and Gears online and set up sessions its a compelling and powerful thing N4G, trust me. people say its the same as PSN when its really not.

Especially with UI enhancements and security upgrades along with F2P making its rounds its only getting better. With PSN+ you don't get to keep your games but that doesn't matter as long as you stay subscribed which I'm sure allot of people are doing. PSN and XBL owners are happy regardless. Both PSN+ and XBL will be monsters on Next gen systems.

[nosferatuzodd]

You're right in some ways Psn can only get better, and i like what sony is doing. Microsoft need to stop being cheep and give the gamers a bang for their buck .

[Y_5150]

I've been a Plus supporter since day one, I like that service since day one as well.

[gamingmaster2013]

ps plus humiliates the game industry? free games with a monthly/yearly subscription that saves you, the gamer, a shitload of money is humiliating the game industry?

this stupid journo is talking out of his/her arse and him/her and such websites are the ones humiliating the game industry!

[s45gr32]

Compare to STEAM I agree and you are right the media are humiliating the industry

[gamingmaster2013]

oh yeah i forgot about steam, my bad

[strickers]

There still seems to be some confusion for some.
With PS+ you do not keep the "free" games if you lapse in subs(like all other subscription services-Netflix,Spotify etc) but you keep anything you bought discounted. Any money at all spent and it remains yours.
PS+ is fantastic and owning both systems makes it a crazy deal.
Only the lightest of users won't benefit from it and save money.

[lovegames718]

Here ppl come with the xbl is better online blah blah . Listen thts complete bs their inteface may be diff. and liking tht is a matter of preference but last time chked most of these games dnt have dedicated servers and your exp. gaming online on ps3 is the same as on xbox so stop the bs this isnt 2006.

[TheObserver]

PS+ is an optional service that really gives you bang for your buck. The only reason that I don't subscribe is because I have no time to play ALL THAT GAMES. Also, I am mainly a PC person. However, even I can see the worth in PS+. PC and PS3 exclusives is a killer combo. Maybe it will be a PC, PS3, and PSV combo in the future. XBL, on the other hand, has been a scam and a black mail right off the bat.

[s45gr32]

That I agree use the PS3 to play its exclusives and the pc for its exclusives and multiplat titles. Also the pc is great for transferring movies and tv shows onto the ps 3..........

[Ulf]

MS could go a looong way with XBL Gold, by offering free titles from XBLA, and a few full-size titles from time to time.

Why they don't is beyond me. It's not like people will stop paying, if they make the service better, and its not like MS is going to lose a lot of money by giving away old (but great quality) games like Crackdown, Alan Wake, PD Zero, and Gears 1. At the very least, they'll be hurting used sales of those titles, while gaining subscribers, and hence, real income and loyalty.

[MasterCornholio]

The answer to that is simple.

Because 40 million people are willing to pay for online multiplayer on the 360. I bet if you offered online multiplayer for free on live most of those people would stop paying for it.

You get what you pay for and without ads that is how it is with Playstation plus.

:)

[DAS692]

Leave it to douches to complain about a service that literally GIVES you free content and games...

[ThePsychoGamer]

Yea, I can't believe this guy is complaining about plus, I mean look at these quotes from the article.

"PlayStation Plus is one of the most consumer-friendly, convenient, and worthwhile ideas to hit the PlayStation 3"

"It sounds almost ridiculous to say it, but Sony has been pioneering the practice of giving stuff away in exchange for consumer loyalty."

"Even as a "rental" service, it's a killer deal, and the discounts are nothing to sniff at."

"PS Plus stands as a shining example of how you deliver a compelling, rewarding videogame service"

Wait, I can't believe he's complaing because he's not.

[DAS692]

I was referring to the people in the comment section...

[jukins]

I'm surprised there isntbany common trolls in here demonizing he PS+ service lol. Have we found the troll solution?!?!?! PS+ ftw!!!

[MysticStrummer]

Some may have offed themselves when PS3 passed 360 in WW sales.

[Ritsujun]

WW3 will be over soon

[Karpetburnz]

Xbox gamers have nothing to say, They know PS+ is the better premium service.

[s45gr32]

Ummm well if we are talking from a videogame console perspective then yes ps plus is a far better service than xbox live gold plus wii u online service offerings. As a better service as a whole in this industry no, that would be STEAM. It offers both gold and ps plus offerings for no subscription requirement and able to play steam games on laptops and htpcs along with gaming rigs also free. Steam has proven time and time again how to run admimister and expand a gaming service

[BitbyDeath]

Not really, Steam doesn't regularly give you games that cost money in stores away for free. Steam is a great service but not really compareable to PS+.

[Bladesfist]

Yes but you pay for discounts that go up to 40% off while steam sales go up to 90% off and they even have packs where every game in the pack is 75% off and then an extra 75% off the pack making 20+ games cost about £30 which sounds a little like plus except you keep your games. It does compare to PS+ is all I am trying to say, it is a very good deal. I am going to subscribe to plus again on feb 7th when they have the discount.

[vlonjati77]

OH man,I've left meny games unfinished,now they are giving Sleeping Dogs (I loved the demo).Sony I hate you :)

[Mr_Luke]

I don't know if it's a bit of OffTopic, but i didn't want to get a Vita yet. Then i saw all the games offered by plus (i'm already a subscriber with my PS3 and i had 1-2 cross-buying)and i bought one. Great portable, having lot of hours of fun with it.

/OT =P

[Playstation4LyFe]

Thru all of the free trials ive gotten with plus i've had a great experience. I love it.

[Bowzabub]

PS3 & PSVita with PS+ is the best console experience you can find anywhere. Oh yeah, XGC too if your friends have both..which mine do.

[Ritsujun]

PS3 + PSV + PSP + PS4 (soon) + PSN + PS+ = The Complete Package

[OldSnakePS3]

Sony cares about the core gamer and have since ps1
which is why i support them

new ips, ps plus, free online, bluray, quality hardware
1st party studios, diversity,
just look @ the ps3 lineup this year :)

when sony leaves the gaming industry i go with it

[GABRIEL1030]

Plus is the best product that I've bought in video games. The service is fantastic cheap and very nice.

[rapidturtle]

I can see this becoming a huge selling point for Sony in the Next Gen. They learned their lesson about launching a console that is priced to high, and also are supposed to making the next system easier to program for. If both systems launch at the same time, Sony can harp on the value of free online play, and a subscription service that gives you content for your $$$'s.

[turnerdc]

To be honest I think OnLive has a better implementation of a subscription service. The only thing that sucks is the support right now but OnLive has been hinting at big things coming later this year so we'll see. You get to trial almost any game on their service for free even without a subscription. With a subscription you get 30 percent off any hardware or game purchase (no exclusions, anything you buy gets the 30 percent discount) plus access to the PlayPack which you can play on your TV, tablet, or phone. The PlayPack also stays pretty consistent and not many games have been removed. Like I said, support sucks right now but if they're able to deliver and consistently add quality titles to the service and the PlayPack then it's a definite winner.

[listenkids]

I spend £1 a week on ps+ sub, how can you justify anything against that, that's less than 1 bottle of pop, a week.

[ALLWRONG]

lol

[FreakyFox]

I still cant get over the fact that i had to have a Gold subscription to use the web browser on Xbox 360, what a complete joke.

Next gen is going to be all about Services and Software, and Sony has them in the bag, also with the cross game chat proven on vita, so i think we are going to see even more live subcribers see sense next gen, now they can see what bang for buck means.

I did'nt want to come over harsh to XBL fans, but the proof is quite clearly in the pudding.

[ziggurcat]

love this service. i think i've obtained close $1,000 worth of free/discounted content in the time i've had PS+ (since day 1).

[supremacy]

ps+ is great, i already have few games on both my girldfriends ps3 and on my vita. Will need a bigger memory card though,but thats a small price to pay considering whats being offered here.

Ps4 is being built to mirror the next xbox, so you can bet your money that a better memory architecture will be in place. meaning xchat,party or whatever you want to label it will be feasible and most likely launch with the system on day one.

i wonder what the difference will be then.

i also am wondering what gaikai's role is going to be in all this, perhaps ps+ will become a netflix for games while still keeping a basic model around reflecting whats currently available.

idk, but ps+ is a difference maker in my book.

[TheTwelve]

Xbox Live gets pretty well put into its miserable place in this article.

[BladerunnerZX]

Playsation plus is the best option for console gamers. Its a great value in everyway possible.

Steam is the best online option for pc gamers.

Xboxlive is a wall between a gamer and the game that he or she has already paid $60 for. yes back in 2002 to 2006 xboxlive was worth the cash for a console gamer . now all that has changed.

[mechlord]

How in the world can someone not see the value of PS+? No really, how come? can people not from time to time see things for their real value instead of bitching about *that* or *this* JUST BECAUSE its from company *A* or *B* ?

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Leave it to Jim Sterling to bluntly state the obvious.

PS+ is the best value in gaming.

Eventually the competition is going to have to respond with their similar program. I'm expecting something at E3.

[Karpetburnz]

Im surprised not many Xbox fanboys are having a hissy fit about this. maybe they have realised their beloved XBL isnt worth the money after reading the article.

[tarbis]

Jim praising Sony? The end of the world must be really near. I can't even see a single dirt where Jim is a master of digging in the article. Did I just missed the announcement of doomsday or something?

[tubers]

I think I would have already sold my VITA if it weren't for PS+

I very much appreciate it how it holds my hands until I find a personal system VITA seller (just couldn't pass up the ACL BF 2012 bundle).

[5eriously]

Be fair mate the only reason a certain gaming faction pays for their M$ service is for cross chat, what a rip off. Off course M$ always know how to screw their most important customers so they force their hand by excluding online privileges completely if you do not pay. Sony of course been wiser and not a con artist company makes every online service for free, you only pay by choice for the additional services like netflix and to gain access to free and discounted games and also some other nice privileges but in case you cannot afford that then you are not excluded from the gaming community like a leper.

I cannot understand how certain idiots can argue negatively about this model. I presume not everyone was born equal in the neuron department.

AS for the so called effect on the industry, what a joke. All games become cheap after an initial period. This model give those that could not afford the initial price a second chance to acquire and play the game for free. The developers get another splurge of income from deals with Sony opposing the pre-owned market where they the devs would not get a cent on a resold game at all. It also gives me personally a chance to experience and play games I would not have been willing to spend money on, many surprised me so completely that I wondered why I did not initially buy the game.

Think about it haters, but use your head not your dick.

[EffectO]

I guess he never heard of GameFly.Not surprising for Jim Sterling.
It will be certainly interesting to see what Sony does for PS4 launch,will they give PS4 launch games for "free"?
Stay tuned...

[kingPoS]

Currently my Plus subscription doesn't expire til May 2014.
What will happen in between that time is anyone's guess. For me every month with psn plus is spent with excited anticipation. Maybe it's just me, but I like knowing that they'll always be something of value offered every month.

But even discounting the discounts & supplemented games, what I appreciate the most are the autoupdates & cloud saves. I cannot understate just how valuable those two are. I'll give a couple of examples.

A few weeks ago in tekken tag 2 I had accidentally defaulted the customized soundtrack I spent over 50 minutes perfectly matching. The meaty 16mb locked cloud save from the cloud almost brought joyous tears to my eyes. lol

Gigabyte patches or updates no longer scare me.... Bwahahahahahaha... I just simply sleep it off. lol

[sdplisken]

PS plus owns ripoff ad filled xbl anyday

microsoft could snap their fingers and have a similar service and free online..... but theyre greedy bastards

[o-Sunny-o]

500gb....ran out of space to download...Nooooooooooooooo!
Time to get another ps3 HDD.

[kingPoS]

I know right! Between psn+ and downloading tons of stuff using the web browser, 500gb can disappear with a quickness.

[DanSolo]

I have a years PS plus subscription and it is definitely worth the money!

When Plus first came out I had no interest in it at all, but it has proved itself to be very good value for money, particularly for those who spend a lot of time gaming.

I don't spend that much time gaming now as I realised I should make better use of my time, but I would still recommend plus to anyone as for that price you are getting a good deal.

That said though..... although PS plus is great value for money now, people shouldn't get too carried away, as there is always the possibility that once the user base has grown to a point that Plus is fully accepted then the value might start to creep down as often happens in products and services. So I'd recommend getting plus now and taking advantage of it's good value, but keep an eye on it and be ready to complain and/or cancel at the point where it's value degrades!

[oldassgamer]

PS+ is a nice value, and I believe it is the subscription model you will see for the next gen. The model will provide day 1 digital (i.e. Gaikai). No more discs, if you don't want them, you just pay to play. Of course the disc model will still be supported, but the cash cow will be PS+ (A.K.A - Gaikai)

[ceballos77mx]

I don't tinkering developers loose too much money on PS+, they give you the retail game but not the dlc, I got hooked on the walking dead this way got the 2 first episodes, had to buy the last 3, but I wouldn't had bought them if I hadn't played the free ones.

I see this happening with sleeping dogs and future PS+ games.