PlayStation Plus prices will increase for new subscribers starting May 20, but depending on your subscription status, it might not be time to panic–yet. According to Sony, only “select” regions will be affected for now, and it blames “ongoing market conditions” for the increases.
So far, only monthly and three-month subscriptions are being affected, with new US subscribers facing an increase of $1 for a one-month PS Plus Essential subscription and a $3 increase for the three-month version of that subscription tier. For now, the annual subscription price to PS Plus remains unchanged.
Current subscribers will not pay extra–unless they reside in Turkey or India–but letting your subscription lapse and then rejoining PS Plus at a later date will result in you paying the higher rate. Overall, the new prices look like this:
PlayStation Plus Essential (One month)
- $10.99
- €9.99
- £7.99
PlayStation Plus Essential (Three months)
- $27.99
- €27.99
- £21.99
The PS Plus price hikes come at a time when Sony has increased the prices for PS5 consoles twice, with the most recent one being in April. That price adjustment saw PS5 consoles increase by a further $100, while the PS5 Pro went up from $750 to $900. Sony had previously mentioned how it was looking to offset costs by monetizing the existing install base while also growing software and network services revenue. Sony CFO Lin Tao had stated that the company is aiming to “minimize the impact” on its profitability this way.
PS Plus Essential is what gives PS5 owners access to multiplayer for online games, ranging from Fortnite to Helldivers 2. As an additional selling point, it also allows subscribers to download monthly games and keep them so long as they remain subscribed, while higher tiers like PS Plus Extra and Premium offer access to a game catalog that is also updated every month and other perks.
