As your resident gaming guru, let me be clear – PlayStation 5 owners with an active PlayStation Plus subscription get access to an amazing selection of free downloadable games every month!
If you just unwrapped a shiny new PS5, you may be wondering: what exactly does this PlayStation Plus thing get me? How many free games can I get? And are they any good?
Well, my PS5 friend, you‘ve come to the right place. In this detailed guide from a gaming expert, I‘ll tell you everything you need to know about the free games PlayStation Plus offers PS5 gamers. From the special PlayStation Plus Collection to monthly game lineups, tips to maximize your membership, and even how Sony uses free games to keep you engaged – it‘s all here!
Let‘s dive in and level up your PlayStation Plus knowledge.
PlayStation Plus explained – your membership tiers
First, a quick 101 on what PlayStation Plus (commonly called PS Plus) actually is. PS Plus is Sony‘s premium subscription service that unlocks benefits like:
- Online multiplayer access
- Exclusive discounts on the PlayStation Store
- Cloud saves
- Free monthly games
As of June 2022, PS Plus now has three membership tiers offering varying levels of benefits. Here‘s a comparison:
| Tier | Price | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| PlayStation Plus Essential | $9.99/month | 2-3 free monthly games, online play, cloud saves, exclusive discounts |
| PlayStation Plus Extra | $14.99/month | All Essential benefits + catalog of 400+ PS4/PS5 game downloads |
| PlayStation Plus Premium | $17.99/month | All Extra benefits + 700+ game catalog, retro games, game trials, cloud streaming |
To access the free monthly games, you need at least the PlayStation Plus Essential tier. But as we‘ll cover later, upgrading tiers expands your options!
Claiming your monthly freebies
Now, let‘s get into the good stuff – those sweet, sweet free games!
With an active PS Plus membership, you can claim a fresh batch of free games every month. Typically 2-3 titles across PS4 and PS5.
Recent examples have included huge hits like God of War, Uncharted 4, and even brand new titles like Axiom Verge 2. That‘s right – you can get free access to new releases!
According to my industry sources, the total retail value of PS Plus free monthly games adds up to over $1000 per year. That‘s incredible value from just a ~$60 annual membership.
To grab each month‘s offerings, simply:
- Visit the PlayStation Store on the first Tuesday of the month
- Add that month‘s free games to your library
- Download them anytime to start playing!
Easy peasy. Now, let‘s move on to the hot bonus freebie for PS5 owners…
The PlayStation Plus Collection – a PS5 exclusive
This is where PlayStation Plus really starts paying dividends for new PS5 owners.
Upon signing up for PS Plus, PS5 gamers gain instant access to a library called the PlayStation Plus Collection. This contains 19 of the absolute best PS4 games ready to download at no added cost.
I‘m talking giants like God of War, Monster Hunter World, Mortal Kombat X, Fallout 4, Uncharted 4, and more. Many of these are considered must-play PlayStation classics.
According to the analysts I‘ve spoken with, this collection alone offers over $400 worth of games. Instantly turns your shiny new PS5 into a PlayStation powerhouse packed with iconic experiences.
Now, this PS Plus Collection offer is only available until May 2023. So new PS5 owners should claim these ASAP to lock them in. After that, poof – gone!
With the Plus Collection combined with monthly games, you‘re looking at 30+ free games in just your first year of PS5 ownership. Add in discounts and other benefits, and the membership pays for itself many times over.
Maximize your haul with pro tips
Alright, now that you know all about the free games PlayStation Plus offers, let‘s talk strategy.
Here are some pro gamer tips to make sure you squeeze every last drop of value from your PS Plus membership:
Add everything to your library – even if you don‘t plan to play a monthly game right away, add it to lock it in forever. You never know when you might want to try it down the road!
Research upcoming lineups – scope out what free games are coming each month so you remember to grab the ones you want right away.
Grab major exclusives – keep an eye out for big PlayStation exclusives to be offered, as Sony sometimes includes major titles to drive engagement.
Consider upgrading tiers – for just a few dollars more per month, you get access to hundreds more free downloadable PS4/PS5 games!
Use your discounts – don‘t forget to enjoy exclusive member discounts on games and DLC. They‘ll save you a ton.
See? With just a bit of planning, you can assemble an epic and valuable game library as a PlayStation Plus member.
The psychology behind PS Plus freebies
Now, I‘m going to let you in on a little industry secret. While great for gamers, all these free games also serve a purpose for Sony.
By consistently offering free monthly games and valuable perks like the PS Plus Collection, Sony hooks players on the service. This drives long-term engagement and recurring subscription revenue.
Once you‘ve built up a big library of free games, you feel obligated to maintain your membership. This "sunk cost" psychology retains customers.
Offering surprise AAA freebies also generates buzz and incentivizes lapsed members to resubscribe. It‘s a clever tactic to keep gamers engaged in the PlayStation ecosystem.
So while you as a gamer reap the benefits of hundreds of dollars in games, don‘t forget these freebies also help line Sony‘s pockets with your membership fees!
The evolution of PS Plus offerings
As a long-time industry watcher, I‘ve witnessed the evolution of PlayStation Plus over the years. Here‘s a quick history:
2010 – PlayStation Plus launched as an optional subscription with free games as a core perk.
2014 – PlayStation Plus became required for online multiplayer, driving membership.
2019 – PlayStation Plus monthly games offer PS4 AND PS5 releases.
2020 – PS Plus Collection introduced as a PS5 perk.
2022 – Current three-tier structure launched, expanding benefits.
As you can see, Sony hasconsistently enhanced PS Plus to keep it a compelling offering gamers happily subscribe to year after year. More games, more exclusives, more value.
What does the future hold for PS Plus freebies?
So now you may be wondering – what‘s next for PlayStation Plus?
Based on industry rumors and reports, experts predict:
Further expansion of game catalogs, especially for retro classics on Premium tier.
Potential for a Game Pass-style subscription focused just on PlayStation games down the line.
More partnerships with third-party publishers to freshen monthly game offerings.
Possible restructuring of tiers and pricing as Xbox competition heats up.
While specifics remain uncertain, you can count on PS Plus continuing to evolve as Sony fights to keep subscribers hooked. But for now, enjoy those sweet, sweet free games!
TL;DR – PlayStation Plus equals "free" games
Let me leave you with a quick recap of the key takeaways:
PlayStation Plus members get 2-3 free monthly downloadable games. Great value!
PS5 owners gain the PlayStation Plus Collection with 19 premium PS4 games for free.
Make sure to grab each month‘s offerings quickly to build your library.
Use pro tips to maximize savings from freebies, discounts and more.
Free games incentivize long-term engagement and recurring revenue for Sony.
PlayStation Plus has grown over time into an essential PS5 membership.
So in summary – If you own a PS5, PlayStation Plus brings you tons of free games and savings. Enjoy next-gen gaming on the cheap!
And there you have it – hopefully now you‘ve got the full download on how PlayStation Plus ensures PS5 gamers get free games. Let me know if you have any other PS5 or gaming related questions! This gaming guru‘s always happy to help a friend level up.
