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Sony is reportedly planning to merge its existing PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now services into a single, tiered subscription service. Dubbed “Project Spartacus,” the service would offer a three-tiered library of PlayStation games including classic titles from the PS1, PS2, PS3, and PSP. Sony expects to launch the service sometime in Spring 2022. [Thanks, Bloomberg!]
Project Spartacus is split into three “tiers” of monthly subscription fees. The new PlayStation subscription service will reportedly continue to use the PlayStation Plus branding, with Sony phasing out the PlayStation Now service. Furthermore, Sony is also looking into expanding its cloud gaming services.
The first tier will include PlayStation Plus benefits. Currently, these benefits include the ability to play online multiplayer games, special discounts, and access to some free titles. The second tier will center around a large catalog of PS4 and PS5 games. This is similar to PlayStation Now, which offers a selection of free PS4 and PS5 games each month.
Notably, the third tier will offer a library of classic PlayStation titles from the PS1 to the PS3 and PSP. Additionally, the third tier will also unlock access to extended demos and game streaming services.
What this means for the current PS3 and PS Vita PlayStation Stores is unclear. Sony announced plans to shut down the digital stores earlier this year, only to reverse the decision after user backlash. Though the digital stores are still accessible, the company removed PayPal and credit card payment methods in October 2021. Sony shut down the remaining PSP PlayStation Store functionality back in July 2021.
