PlayStation fans never get a quiet summer—and 2025 might be the busiest yet. Between Sony’s Mid-Year blowout sale, the PlayStation Plus 15th-anniversary celebration, and fresh rumors surrounding a fall PS5 Pro reveal, the PlayStation Store is bursting with activity that can save you cash while padding your backlog.
This round-up cuts through the noise to spotlight the best deals, freebies, and policy changes you should act on right now—whether you’re hunting AAA blockbusters like Diablo IV for free, saving your points before PlayStation Stars sunsets, or taking your first steps into VR with a newly discounted PS VR2. Read on, check those expiration dates, and make the most of PlayStation’s summer of savings before these offers disappear.
1. Mid-Year Deals Slash Prices on 2,000+ Games
Sony’s annual Mid-Year promotion runs through July 2 and knocks up to 80 percent off recent and upcoming heavy-hitters. Highlights include Black Myth: Wukong (20 percent off), Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (35 percent off Vault Edition), and EA Sports FC 25 (60 percent off Ultimate). A sleeper bargain is Dying Light: Definitive Edition at $9.99—its lowest price to date.
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2. Extra-Stacked Discounts for PS Plus Members This Weekend
From June 27–29, Sony layers an additional 10–25 percent off select titles for anyone with an active Plus subscription as part of the service’s 15-year anniversary bash. Look for deeper cuts on Civilization VII, Sniper Elite: Resistance, and Star Wars Outlaws.
3. 15th-Anniversary Perks Go Beyond Cheap Games
- Free monthly titles (see #5)
- Timed tournaments that pay out PS Store credit and rare avatars
- Sony Pictures Core 15-percent film discount for Premium members through August 12
- Exclusive dynamic themes and profile banners rolling out in next week’s firmware patch
4. Premium Trials: Play Before You Buy
PS Plus Premium adds two chunky game trials:
- WWE 2K25 – live now (three-hour slice)
- Monster Hunter Wilds – goes live June 30 (five-hour slice)
Both arrive alongside a free Valorant cosmetic bundle and a subscription-free online multiplayer weekend July 6–7.
5. July’s Free Essential Games
Starting July 1, all Plus tiers can claim:
- Diablo IV
- The King of Fighters XV
- Jusant
Keep them as long as your sub stays active; the offer ends August 4.
6. PlayStation Stars Loyalty Program Shuts Down July 23
Sony is winding down its Stars program. You can still finish campaigns and redeem points until July 23, 7:59 a.m. PT. Unused points convert at the usual rate—1,250 points for a $5 voucher—so spend them while you can.
7. European Class-Action Targets Digital Store Pricing
A Dutch consumer-rights group has filed a lawsuit claiming Sony’s 30 percent marketplace fee and region-locked pricing violate EU competition rules. The case now represents thousands of gamers and could influence digital-store pricing models across Europe.
8. Fresh Firmware Adds Accessibility & Classic UI Tweaks
System software 25.04-11.40 (rolled out June 4) introduces optional “Audio Focus” presets for clearer dialogue when using headsets, plus a return of classic dashboard icon customization—perfect if you miss the PS4 look.
9. PS Portal & Remote Play Improvements
Handheld Portal owners just received patch 5.1.0 with faster Wi-Fi hand-offs, better battery telemetry, and cleaner error messaging—welcome news for anyone streaming demanding titles over home mesh networks.
10. VR Price Cuts & Prime-Day Watch
PS VR2’s permanent price drop to $399 is in effect, and major retailers are teasing bundle deals ahead of Amazon Prime Day (July 7–11). Expect Horizon Call of the Mountain packs below $350 as Sony tries to boost its VR install base before Astro Bot: Rescue 2 lands in September.
What Is PS Plus?
PlayStation Plus is a gaming subscription service that unlocks a world of content for PlayStation owners. PS Plus offers members access to online multiplayer, a library of downloadable games, and exclusive discounts on the PlayStation Store. The service has evolved over the years to include different membership tiers catering to various gaming preferences and budgets.
Sony now provides three different PS Plus membership levels: Essential, Extra, and Premium. Each tier builds upon the previous one with additional features. Essential includes online multiplayer and monthly games, while Extra adds a larger game catalog. Premium brings everything together with game streaming, classic games, and game trials that let players test new titles before buying.
Players can join PS Plus for a monthly fee or save money with quarterly or annual subscriptions. The service has become central to the PlayStation experience, offering significant value for those who play regularly and want to maximize their console investment.
Key Takeaways
- PlayStation Plus is a subscription service offering online multiplayer, free monthly games, and exclusive discounts for PlayStation owners.
- PS Plus comes in three tiers (Essential, Extra, and Premium) with increasing benefits and features at different price points.
- Subscribers can access hundreds of downloadable games across PS4 and PS5 platforms, with Premium members also enjoying classic games and game trials.
PS Plus Membership Tiers
PlayStation Plus offers three different membership levels that give players access to various benefits. Each tier builds upon the previous one, offering more features at a higher price point.
Essential Plan
The PS Plus Essential plan is the base tier and offers the core PlayStation Plus experience. It provides subscribers with monthly games – typically one PS5 game and two PS4 games that players can download and keep as long as their subscription remains active.
Essential members get access to online multiplayer functionality, which is required for playing most games with friends online. Without this subscription, players are limited to single-player experiences and free-to-play multiplayer games.
This tier also includes cloud storage for game saves (100GB), allowing players to back up their progress and access it from different consoles. Members receive exclusive discounts during PlayStation Store sales, often getting better deals than non-subscribers.
Extra Plan
The PS Plus Extra tier includes everything from the Essential plan plus access to a growing Game Catalog. This catalog features hundreds of downloadable PS4 and PS5 games that subscribers can install and play as much as they want.
The Game Catalog includes a mix of popular titles, indie games, and PlayStation exclusives. These games rotate periodically, with new titles being added regularly. This provides significant value for players who want to experience a wide variety of games without purchasing them individually.
The Extra tier is ideal for players who want more gaming options beyond the monthly games but don’t necessarily need access to classic titles or game trials. It offers a good middle ground between the basic Essential benefits and the comprehensive Premium package.
Premium Plan
PS Plus Premium is the most comprehensive tier, including all benefits from Essential and Extra plans plus additional exclusive features. Premium subscribers gain access to a Classics Catalog featuring PlayStation legacy titles from PS1, PS2, and PSP eras.
This tier also offers cloud streaming capabilities for many games, allowing members to play without downloading. This feature works on PS4, PS5, and PC, making gaming more accessible across different devices.
Premium includes limited-time game trials for select new releases, letting players test games for a few hours before deciding to purchase. This helps subscribers make informed buying decisions on new titles.
For retro gaming fans or those who want the complete PlayStation experience, Premium provides the most comprehensive package with the widest range of gaming options across PlayStation’s history.
Features and Benefits
PlayStation Plus offers members a variety of valuable services across different tiers. The subscription provides games, online capabilities, and special access to content that enhances the PlayStation experience.
Monthly Games and Exclusives
PS Plus subscribers receive 2-3 free games each month through the Essential tier. These games become part of your library as long as you maintain an active subscription. Once claimed, they remain accessible even if they leave the monthly lineup.
Members also enjoy exclusive discounts on the PlayStation Store. These deals can provide significant savings on popular titles, DLC, and special editions that aren’t available to non-subscribers.
PS Plus offers exclusive in-game content for select titles. This might include special cosmetic items, early access to beta tests, or gameplay boosters that enhance the gaming experience.
Premium tier subscribers gain access to time-limited game trials. These allow players to test full versions of new releases before deciding to purchase.
Online Services and Multiplayer
Online multiplayer is a core benefit of PlayStation Plus. The subscription enables players to join online matches, cooperative gameplay, and competitive modes in compatible games.
Cloud storage provides automatic backup for game saves. Essential tier members receive 100GB of cloud storage, ensuring progress isn’t lost if console issues occur.
Share Play allows subscribers to virtually share their controller with friends online. This feature lets friends experience games they don’t own or helps them past difficult sections in games they do have.
The service works seamlessly across PS4 and PS5 consoles, allowing cross-generation play in compatible titles.
Extended Game Access
The Extra tier introduces the Game Catalogue with hundreds of downloadable PS4 and PS5 games. This collection includes both indie gems and blockbuster titles that subscribers can download and play at no additional cost.
Premium members gain access to classic games from PS1, PS2, and PSP consoles. This classics catalog brings nostalgic experiences to modern PlayStation systems.
Premium also includes PS3 game streaming capabilities. While these titles can’t be downloaded, they can be played through cloud streaming technology.
Ubisoft+ Classics comes included with Extra and Premium tiers. This provides access to a growing library of popular Ubisoft titles like Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry series.
The Game Catalogue regularly adds new titles while maintaining a strong core collection. This ensures fresh gaming experiences throughout the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
PlayStation Plus offers several subscription options with different features and benefits. Members gain access to various perks including online multiplayer, monthly games, and exclusive discounts.
How is PS Plus priced for different subscription periods?
PlayStation Plus offers flexible pricing options to fit different budgets. Members can choose from monthly, quarterly, or annual subscriptions.
Annual subscriptions provide the best value, offering a significant discount compared to paying month-to-month. Prices vary by region and occasionally Sony offers special promotions or discounts.
New subscribers can sometimes take advantage of introductory offers to try the service at a reduced rate.
What are the benefits of subscribing to PlayStation Plus?
PS Plus subscribers gain access to online multiplayer gaming across PS4 and PS5 platforms. Members receive monthly games they can download and play as long as their subscription remains active.
Subscribers enjoy exclusive discounts on games and add-ons in the PlayStation Store, often deeper than sales available to non-members. Cloud storage for game saves provides an extra layer of security for game progress.
PS Plus also offers exclusive in-game content and early access to certain game betas and demos.
What features are exclusive to PS Plus members on the PS5?
PS5 owners with PS Plus gain access to the PlayStation Plus Collection, a library of defining PS4 games playable on the PS5. Game Help, a feature providing hints and walkthrough videos for supported titles, is exclusive to PS Plus members.
Share Play allows PS Plus subscribers to share their gaming experience with friends even if those friends don’t own the game. Enhanced cloud storage specifically optimized for PS5 saves is provided to members.
Does a PS Plus membership include access to free games?
PS Plus members receive multiple games each month that they can download and play without additional cost. These games remain accessible as long as the subscription stays active.
The monthly games typically include titles for both PS4 and PS5 platforms. Once claimed, these games remain in the member’s library even if not downloaded immediately.
Higher tier subscriptions provide access to an expanded catalog of games beyond the monthly offerings.
For what purposes is a PlayStation Plus subscription required?
Online multiplayer gaming on PlayStation consoles requires a PS Plus subscription for most games. Some free-to-play titles like Fortnite and Apex Legends are exceptions to this rule.
PS Plus is needed to use cloud storage for game saves, providing backup and transfer capabilities. Certain exclusive discounts, content, and features are only available to subscribers.
Share Play functionality, allowing friends to experience games together remotely, requires a PS Plus membership.
What are the differences between PS Plus Essential, Extra, and other tiers?
PS Plus Essential is the base tier providing monthly games, online multiplayer access, and exclusive discounts. It continues the core benefits that have been part of PlayStation Plus for years.
PS Plus Extra includes everything in Essential plus access to a catalog of hundreds of downloadable PS4 and PS5 games. The game catalog rotates periodically, adding new titles while occasionally removing others.
PS Plus Premium, the highest tier, adds cloud streaming capabilities, time-limited game trials, and access to classic games from previous PlayStation generations.
