The PlayStation Plus revamp next June marks a new stage for the subscription. The Japanese division will offer three modes with different advantages, including the merger of PS Now and the commitment to give more presence to the catalog of its previous consoles. Where do they stand compared to the model proposed by Xbox? We compare the two premium modes of each subscription and point out their differences.
Comparison Chart: PS Plus Premium vs. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
PS PLUS PREMIUM VS. XBOX GAME PASS ULTIMATE
| PS Plus Premium | Xbox Game Pass Ultimate |
| Online multiplayer access | Online multiplayer access |
| Two downloadable games per month | Four downloadable games per month |
| Exclusive discounts | Exclusive discounts |
| Free additional content | Rewards and free additional content |
| Limited time game trials | Limited time game trials |
| Catalog of up to 740 PS5, PS4, PS3, PS2, PSX, PSP and PSP games | Catalog of more than 450 Xbox X|S Series, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Xbox and PC games (including those available on EA Play). Xbox Game Studios releases from day one |
| Access to part of the PS Plus Premium catalog through the cloud on PS5, PS4, and PC. | Access to part of the Xbox Game Pass catalog through the cloud on Xbox X|S Series, Xbox One, PC, tablets, and iOS and Android mobile devices. Touch control on mobile platforms in supported games. |
| Cloud storage for game saves | Cloud storage for free game saves on the platform |
Main differences
The main difference between the two services resides in the commitment to renew its catalog of current generations. Microsoft was firm in its decision a few years ago: all games from its internal studios will debut on Xbox Game Pass on day one. Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, Gears 5 and Microsoft Flight Simulator have been some of the most prominent in recent years, while in the future names such as Starfield, Fable and the next Forza Motorsport point to the future.
PlayStation, on the other hand, will follow a different strategy given “the level of investment” that its studios need to achieve “the virtuous cycle” in which its studios are currently in. They will not include their productions at launch, but will rely on a digital library that “will be renewed periodically” between first party and third party titles. In June, Extra and Premium subscribers will be able to access Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Returnal and Mortal Kombat 11, among others.
The position of both in the cloud streaming market is also different. In recent months, Microsoft has diversified its offering across a greater number of platforms compared to Sony. Xbox Cloud Gaming is available across the Xbox ecosystem, which includes Xbox One, web browser on PC, iOS and Android mobile devices, and tablets. PlayStation, on the other hand, will continue to offer the same platforms as PS Now so far: PS5, PS4 and PC.
In addition, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate incorporates the advantages of other subscriptions around its ecosystem. And we are not only referring to Xbox Live Gold, but also to EA Play. For Electronic Arts you can expect exclusive discounts on their games, 10-hour trials on their latest releases and the rollout of their newest productions after a few months on the market.
Comparison Table: New PS Plus Plans
TABLE OF PS PLUS PLANS STARTING JUNE 2022
| PlayStation Plus Essential | PlayStation Plus Extra | PlayStation Plus Premium |
| Two downloadable games per month | All the advantages of the Essential plan | All the advantages of the Essential and Extra plans |
| Exclusive discounts | Catalog of up to 400 downloadable games for PS4 and PS5 | Catalog of up to 340 PS3 (streaming only), PS2, PSX and PSP games downloadable or via cloud streaming from PS5, PS4 and PC. |
| Cloud storage for game saves | Access to limited-time game trials | |
| Access to online multiplayer | ||
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When will the new PS Plus arrive and what happens to current subscriptions?
Once again we remind you that the new PS Plus will arrive sometime next June. Once it does the current subscriptions on PlayStation will disappear, which will give its members one mode or another depending on what they have at the time of the change.
Users of the current PS Plus, for example, will be part of PS Plus Essential, the basic mode. This first target offers the same advantages as the version known to all in recent years. On the other hand, if you have PS Plus and PS Now, you will receive the highest, PS Plus Premium; those who only have PS Now will also join the higher-value mode. The exchange of subscriptions will run through the renewal term of your current subscription. PS Now as we know it today will disappear.
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