Do You REALLY Need PlayStation Plus to Play Online? Let’s Break it Down.
So, you want to frag noobs online? Ready for epic battles with your friends? Hold up! Before diving into the digital arena, there’s something called PlayStation Plus (PS Plus). Think of it as the velvet rope for the online multiplayer club on PS4 or PS5.
The PS Plus Gatekeeper: When Do You Actually Need It?
If you’re eager to play most PS4 and PS5 games online with friends or random players, then yes, PS Plus is your ticket. It’s the cover charge for the online gaming club. This subscription service costs around $9.99 monthly for PlayStation Plus Essential.
Now, before you complain about subscriptions, there’s a loophole. In gaming, we call these “free-to-play games”. Titles like
Even without PS Plus, you can create a free PlayStation Network (PSN) account. You can explore the digital PlayStation space, manage your profile, and browse the store. Think of it as window shopping before buying.
Sneaking Past the Velvet Rope: Playing Online for Free
Paying is the norm, but what if you want to save money? There are ways to enjoy online multiplayer on PlayStation without buying PS Plus each month.
- Free-to-Play Games: The Obvious Heroes. These titles shout “free-to-play.” They are your allies when looking for online action without subscription fees. They open the door in a paywall world.
- Free Online Multiplayer Weekends: Party Time! Watch out! PlayStation sometimes hosts free online multiplayer weekends. For example, December 6-8, 2024, provided free online access. Use any game in your library for free during these weekends. It’s a gamer surprise party.
- PS Plus Free Trials: The Sneaky Peek. Sometimes, you get free samples! PS Plus offers trials, letting you test it before stepping in. Check for promotional offers at the PlayStation Store. You may need to add a payment method but remember to cancel before the trial ends.
- Compensation for PSN Downtime: Sorry, We Messed Up – Here’s Free PS Plus. Sometimes, online services fail. When PSN has issues, Sony often gives free PS Plus days as an apology. Keep an eye on their channels for such announcements.
- Sharing PS Plus: The Buddy System (Sort Of). Share some PS Plus benefits, but with limits. You can share games and PS Plus perks on one PS5 or your primary PS4 console. Think of it as borrowing Wi-Fi with tight rules.
Multiplayer Mayhem: Beyond Online
Online multiplayer is great, but sometimes, you want to play with friends on your couch. PlayStation supports you here too!
- Local Offline Multiplayer: Couch Co-op and Competitive Chaos. Remember gathering around a screen? Those days are alive! Many couch multiplayer PS4 games offer fun without needing online access. Perfect for game nights or power outages.
- Split-Screen: Divide and Conquer (or Just Divide). Split-screen packs more players onto one screen. It’s popular in local multiplayer, especially in shooters and racers. Choose your mode, select teams, and prepare for accusations of cheating.
- Share Play: The Virtual Couch. Want to share your game with a distant friend? Share Play allows you to do that. Invite a friend to watch, let them control the game, or play local multiplayer online – even if only one owns it! However, both host and visitor need a PS Plus subscription for Share Play.
- Friend’s Pass: The “Try Before You Buy (Together)” Deal. Some games are made for co-op and know selling a friend is tricky. Games like
It Takes Two andA Way Out have a Friend’s Pass. If you own the game, your friend can download a free version and join you. Remember, online play usually needs online subscriptions.
PS Plus Tiers: From Basic to Boujee
PS Plus offers different tiers like coffee orders. There’s Essential, Extra, and Premium, each with added benefits and costs. For online multiplayer, PlayStation Plus Essential is all you need. Higher tiers give perks like game catalogs and cloud streaming, but Essential keeps it affordable.
PlayStation Plus Essential has a monthly fee of around $9.99. You can also get annual plans, which are cheaper if you commit to PS Plus.
Games and Features in the Spotlight
Let’s recap some games and features discussed:
It Takes Two andA Way Out : Co-op masterpieces made for two players. They offer Friend’s Pass options; if you own the game, a friend can join for free. However, online play often requires subscriptions for both players.Fortnite : The top free-to-play battle royale. Enjoy online multiplayer without needing PS Plus.- Share Play: The virtual couch feature lets you share gameplay experiences online. Both users need PS Plus.
- PS Plus Collection: For PS5 owners with PS Plus, it’s a bonus – a library of 20 popular PS4 games at no extra cost. Welcome to next-gen gaming!
Account Management 101: Keep it Safe and Sound
Setting up and managing your PSN account is easy:
- Creating a PSN Account: Free
- as a Bird. Creating a PSN account costs nothing. There is no need for credit card details upfront. You can start without any financial commitment.
- Child Accounts: Family Matters. Younger gamers under 18 need separate child accounts for online services. This allows parental controls and ensures a safer experience for kids.
- Upgrading Child Accounts: Growing Up Digital. When a child account can upgrade to a master account (usually at 18), PlayStation sends a notification upon signing in to PSN. It is a digital coming-of-age.
- Sharing Accounts: Big No-No. Seriously, do not share your account details. This can risk your security and breach PlayStation’s terms of service. Keep your login info private; sharing can make headaches and lead to account bans.
Troubleshooting 911: Quick Fixes
Encountering bumps in the road? Here are some quick troubleshooting tips:
- Controller Issues: Wired is Your Friend. If multiple controllers disconnect or act wonky, Bluetooth may have issues. Try using wired connections. Sometimes, old methods work best.
- Adding Friends: Mutual Agreement Required. Can’t add your friend? Adding friends on PSN needs both sides. You must send a ‘Friend Request’, and they must accept. Make sure they confirm; otherwise, you’ll be in friend request limbo.
There you have it. The lowdown on PlayStation Plus and online multiplayer. This information should clear up the confusion. Get ready for your next online gaming session – subscription or not! Happy gaming!
