Sony has announced a release date schedule for its new three-tier PlayStation Plus subscription service.
The rollout will begin in Asian markets (excluding Japan) on May 23rd followed by a Japanese launch on June 1st. It will then hit the Americas on June 13th followed by a European launch on June 22nd. No word on Australia/New Zealand release dates yet.
Additionally, Sony will be expanding its cloud streaming access to multiple European countries including Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Republic of Cyprus, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
The new features will allow players to access modern titles through the subscription service, as well as catalogue titles from past PlayStation platforms depending upon which tier you’re after.
Sony will offer markets without cloud streaming availability a separate third tier at a lower price that does not include any cloud streaming options.
Also, Gematsu recently revealed that four “Syphon Filter” games have been rated for the PS4 & PS5 – suggesting these might be some of the titles of that ‘back catalogue’ on the premiere tier.
The news comes as it has also been revealed Sony will follow suit on Microsoft’s recently announced plans to incorporate in-game advertisements in free-to-play games. Sony is reportedly exploring the idea of adverts that would appear in-game worlds “like they’re part of the game” and, like with Xbox last week, comparing them to billboards in sports arenas. Both companies appear to have been working on the idea for over a year and it’s not clear who is further ahead in terms of implementation.
Source: ANN
