PlayStation Plus has undergone quite a few changes over the past few years. In 2013, Sony announced that the service would be required for online play with the PlayStation 4. Last year in August, US and CA subscriptions received a 20-percent and 40-percent price hike (respectively and generally) with annual subscriptions shifting from $49.99 to $59.99/$69.99 and quarterly from $17.99 to $24.99/$29.99 (monthly only changed in Canada from $9.99 to $11.99). Considering the expenses of the instant game collections titles, online storage, and other benefits that the service offers, the change was an unwelcome but understandable decision on Sony's part. During this time, many wondered if the same business strategy would impact European subscribers, but Gamereactor's Mike Holmes received word from a representative that the company had no plans to do this. Almost a full year later, it seems as though Sony has altered its course.
In an email sent out to Western subscribers this morning, Sony disclosed that prices will be changing come August 31 at 00:01 BST. UK subscribers can expect a 25-percent increase to annual subscriptions from £39.99 to £49.99. Quarterly goes from £14.99 to £19.99 and monthly is increasing from £5.99 to £6.99. The rest of Europe can expect annual prices to go up from €49.99 to €59.99 annually, €19.99 to €24.99 quarterly, and €6.99 to €7.99 monthly. In addition, Australia is being impacted as well. Annual subscriptions are increasing around 15 percent from $69.95 to $79.95. Quarterly is going from $27.95 to $33.95, and monthly is shifting from $9.95 to $10.95.
While Sony gave no reason in its universal email as to why the price was increasing, Eurogamer's Wesley Yin-Poole contacted the company and received this response:
We are changing the pricing to reflect various market conditions while enabling us to continue providing exceptional value to our members.Not really an original or unsurprising answer, but it doesn't come as a shocking move due to the price changes last year. In the meantime, it's recommended that our European and Australian readers consider extending their subscriptions now to avoid having to pay more down the road since subscriptions stack.
What do you make of this sudden change to PlayStation Plus by Sony? Do you think the subscription's advantages and freebies warrant a price hike? Or do you think more should be offered to match the increase? Is there anything you would like to see changed in the subscription model? Let us know in the comments below.
