PlayStation Plus members amassed an impressive library of games over the past 11 months — that’s a form of “user engagement” mobile games just can’t beat.
Reddit user A-Dark-Injection crunched the numbers and found that from June 2014 to May 2015, Sony gave out $1,354.76’s worth of games for its premium membership service. Those who sign up for PS Plus can play these games as long as they have an active subscription. Sony refreshes the lineup of free games every month, giving the PlayStation maker a way to keep players within its ecosystem — and outside of Microsoft’s and Nintendo’s — and boost user engagement.
[aditude-amp id="flyingcarpet" targeting='{"env":"staging","page_type":"article","post_id":1721627,"post_type":"story","post_chan":"none","tags":null,"ai":false,"category":"none","all_categories":"games,","session":"C"}']Paying for PS Plus is also the only way PlayStation 4 owners can go online and play with their friends. It costs $50 a year.
You can see the full info graphic below (click it to see a bigger version).
A-Dark-Injection also provided the following notes in the Reddit thread.
- The platform totals include all games for each platform (the monthly two games and Cross-Buy versions). That’s why the sum of the platform totals is higher than the total value.
- American PS Plus subscribers received two more PS3 (retail) games: Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time (June 2014) and Dragon’s Crown (August 2014). Sly Cooper was offered to European subscribers in April 2014 and is therefore not listed on this image. Only the Vita version of Dragon’s Crown was part of the European PS Plus.
- Dragon’s Crown isn’t a Cross-Buy game, but both the PS3 and PS Vita version were offered to American PS Plus subscribers. Therefore the monthly dollar total for August includes the prices of both versions (PS3: $49.99/PS Vita: $39.99).
- Rainbow Moon isn’t a Cross-Buy game, but the Cross-Save bundle, which includes both the PS3 and PS Vita version of the game, was offered to PS Plus subscribers. Therefore the monthly total for October includes the bundle’s price ($22.49/€19.99/£15.99). The PS3’s and PS Vita’s platform total includes the game’s regular price (each $14.99/€12.99/£9.99).
- The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth isn’t a Cross-Buy game, but both the PS4 and PS Vita version were offered to PS Plus subscribers. Therefore the monthly total for November includes the prices of both versions (each $14.99/€14.99/£11.99).
- Spelunky released with PS Plus on PS4, therefore it’s counted as a new release. The PS3 and PS Vita versions were already available and aren’t counted as new releases.
- InFamous: First Light is only available as a retail title in Europe, so technically American PS Plus subscribers only received 1 PS4 retail title.
- German subscribers received Gravity Crash Ultra (PS Vita, €6.99) instead of Duke Nukem 3D Megaton Edition (PS3/PS Vita, €9.99).
- With Woah Dave’s PS4 release in April, the game was offered again to PS Plus subscribers. The game’s price is only included in January’s total.
- [PlayStation Mini game] Mighty Flip Champs! DX (PS3/PSP/PS Vita, $5.99) was offered as an extra to American PS Plus members. It’s not included in the image overview.
- The PS3 and PS Vita (still in development) version of Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee – New ‘n’ Tasty are counted as new releases.
- Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee — New ‘n’ Tasty launched in Europe originally at €20.99/£17.99. With the PS3 version’s release the price was changed to €19.99/£14.99. The original price is used in the calculations.