PlayStation Plus requirement for free-to-play PS4 games up to publishers: Sony

In the wake of the announcement that those looking to game online on the PlayStation 4 will need a PlayStation Plus subscription, many have been confused about how free-to-play games will work on the console. According to Polygon, Sony has revealed that it will be up to the games’ publishers to decide whether their free-to-play online games will need a PlayStation Plus subscription to be played.

An example of this is the free-to-play title DC Universe Online. The game's Creative Director Jens Andersen revealed during E3: "We are a free-to-play game; you do not have to pay for PlayStation Plus to play [DC Universe Online]." The same is apparently true for multiplayer FPS PlanetSide 2. Other free-to-play titles that won’t require a PlayStation Plus subscription to be played include Blacklight: Retribution and Warframe.

Blacklight: Retribution is one of the games that won't need a PS Plus subscription

Sony had announced the price and release date for the PlayStation 4, as well as the PlayStation Plus requirement for multiplayer gaming, during its pre-E3 press conference earlier this week. The console has been priced at $399 (Rs 23,300 approx). It had also announced that existing PlayStation Plus subscriptions for the PS3 will be carried forward to the PS4. Sony went on to add to its announcements, saying that it will be offering a cloud gaming service for the PS3, PS4 and the PS Vita by 2014.

All told, Sony has marketed its latest offering well. With a good software offering and a cheaper retail price than the Xbox One, the PS4 should definitely see good sales. How Microsoft is planning to combat this is yet to be seen. With the pricing out, Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop and Walmart have now begun taking pre-orders, with the console looking at a December release.