No, FIFA 23 is not free with a PlayStation Plus Extra subscription. The latest entry in EA‘s popular soccer franchise is a full-priced title that must be purchased separately. It is not currently included in the PS Plus Extra game catalog.
I know it‘s disappointing news for FIFA fans hoping to play the new game for free. With the cost of games these days, getting to play them at no additional charge through a subscription service is an attractive proposition.
Unfortunately, Sony doesn‘t give away brand new releases like FIFA through PS Plus Extra very often. But there are still compelling reasons to consider the Extra subscription tier. Let‘s take a look.
An Overview of PlayStation Plus Extra
For those unfamiliar with the PlayStation Plus Extra membership, here‘s a quick rundown of what it offers:
Access to an expanding catalog of 400+ PS4 and PS5 games available for download. New games are added periodically.
Online multiplayer access for PS4 and PS5 games.
Exclusive discounts on select content like DLC add-ons or full game purchases.
Cloud storage for saved game data.
Monthly downloadable games (typically 2 PS4 titles and 1 PS5 title).
The service costs $99.99 USD for a 12-month membership. So for the price of a single new release each year, you get access to hundreds of games. It‘s an incredible value!
What About FIFA 23?
Now back to the original question – why isn‘t the newest FIFA part of the PS Plus Extra game catalog?
Newly released games are almost never included in these type of subscription services. Publishers want to maximize sales of $60+ titles, especially massive franchises like FIFA that routinely sell millions of copies each year.
Giving away brand new releases for "free" months after launch hurts those sales figures. So don‘t expect to see FIFA 23 join PS Plus Extra until late 2023 at the absolute earliest.
When Will FIFA 23 Likely Be Added?
If I had to guess, I‘d expect FIFA 23 to be added to the Extra and Premium catalogs sometime in the Summer of 2024, around 12 months after its initial September 2022 launch.
This lines up with when FIFA 22 was added in July 2022, just before the launch of FIFA 23. It gives EA around 9 months to sell the new game at full price before making it part of a subscription.
So FIFA fans looking to get the new entry on the cheap will probably have to wait until next summer. I know that‘s not ideal, but by then you‘ll be able to enjoy the 2022 World Cup update and all the latest player transfers for no added cost!
What Games Are Currently Included?
Even without the newest FIFA, PS Plus Extra still grants access to a stellar lineup of games:
PlayStation Exclusives: God of War, Spider-Man, Demon‘s Souls, Returnal, Death Stranding, Ghost of Tsushima
Sports Games: NBA 2K22, PGA Tour 2K21, WWE 2K22
Racing Games: DIRT 5, WRC 10 FIA Rally, Hot Wheels Unleashed
Action/Adventure: Red Dead Redemption 2, Horizon Zero Dawn, Cyberpunk 2077
Shooters: Rainbow Six Siege, Overwatch, Borderlands 3, Doom (2016)
RPGs: Final Fantasy XV, Nier Automata, Days Gone, Vampyr
That‘s just a sample of the diversity and quality on offer. And Sony adds new hits every month, so the catalog keeps expanding.
How Much Does a 12-Month Membership Cost?
As mentioned earlier, a full year of access to PS Plus Extra costs $99.99 in the US. That works out to just $8.34 per month.
Considering a single new release costs $70, you‘d recoup the yearly cost in less than two months if you were regularly buying games at full price. The savings quickly add up!
You can also pay monthly at $14.99/month, but the yearly rate is obviously a better bargain. I‘d strongly recommend the 12-month membership to maximize your savings.
What If I Already Have PS Plus Essential?
If you currently have a PS Plus Essential subscription just for online multiplayer access, you can easily upgrade to the Extra tier to get instant access to the game catalog.
Simply head to the PlayStation Store, go to the PS Plus hub, and select the upgrade option. You‘ll pay the difference in cost to switch your existing membership to Extra. Then you can immediately start downloading and playing hundreds of full games!
Upgrading is seamless, especially if you are switching from Essential to Extra. Both offer online multiplayer, so your access remains uninterrupted. Only the game catalog is added with Extra.
Is PlayStation Plus Premium Worth It?
I‘ve focused on PS Plus Extra since it‘s the more affordable middle-tier option. But for hardcore PlayStation fans, the Premium tier may be worthwhile for the sheer breadth of content.
Premium offers over 700 games, including 400 modern PS4/PS5 titles from Extra plus hundreds of beloved PS1, PS2, and PSP classics. There‘s also game trials and streaming access for classic titles.
Premium costs $119.99 annually versus $99.99 for Extra. For the extra $20, retro gamers gain access to a huge catalog of PlayStation classics and nice conveniences like streaming.
But Extra likely satisfies most gamers looking for a library of current gen titles to play. The retro selection is really the main perk of Premium. It comes down to personal gaming preferences.
Should You Buy FIFA 23 or Get a PS Plus Extra Membership?
This brings us back to the original dilemma – buy the new FIFA or get a PS Plus Extra subscription for the same $100?
Here is my advice:
If you absolutely must play FIFA 23 right away and want to experience the latest gameplay innovations, new online modes, updated rosters, and cosmetic upgrades, go ahead and buy it at launch for $70.
But if you‘re on the fence about FIFA 23 or typically skip every other entry, strongly consider a PS Plus Extra membership instead.
For the same cost as FIFA 23, a year of Extra provides access to FIFA 22 plus hundreds of other games spanning all genres. That breadth of content will keep you busy for months.
Then you can grab FIFA 23 next summer when it‘s likely added to the catalog. By that point it‘ll be $20 or less during sales too. A little patience saves you big on the latest FIFA!
Either way, PS Plus Extra is a fantastic service for the money. I hope this overview helped explain what it offers and why FIFA 23 isn‘t included yet. Enjoy the beautiful game!
