Category: PlayStation Plus

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PlayStation Plus Members to get RIGS: Mechanised Combat League Free

One of the benefits of being a PlayStation Plus member is the monthly rotation of free videogames available, giving users the opportunity to play titles they may have missed when first launched. This month’s offering now features a virtual reality (VR) title for the first time, online multiplayer RIGS: Mechanised Combat League, which was a launch title for PlayStation VR.

With the head-mounted display (HMD) less than a year old and doing much better in terms of hardware sales than its competitors, it’s good to see those early titles being given a new lease of life through the PlayStation Plus programme.

RIGS_3

As an online only multiplayer RIGS: Mechanised Combat League suffered the same fate as a lot of similar experiences, not enough players and empty servers, which snowballs into an early death even when its regarded as a good videogame. As a free release next month that may just help it gain a new audience.

RIGS: Mechanised Combat League is a first-person arena-based shooter developed specifically for PlayStation VR by Guerrilla Cambridge – which has now closed. Set in the year 2065, it immerses players in an all-action future sport that mixes elements from different athletic fields like combat sports, motorsports, basketball and football.

The title will be available for free to PlayStation Plus members in Europe and North America from 5th September through to 7th November 2017. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) hasn’t yet confirmed if a VR videogame will make a regular appearance, so you’ll have to wait until next month to see if it does.

For the latest PlayStation VR updates, keep reading VRFocus.

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PlayStation Plus Price Increase on its Way in Europe

PlayStation users in the UK, Europe and Australia who subscribe to the PlayStation Plus service will soon see it making a larger dent in their wallet, as Sony have announced a price hike that will go into effect on 31st August, 2017.

The price in the UK will increase by 25%, which will see the annual price go up from £39.99 (GBP) to £49.99. The quarterly price will also go up from £14.99 to £19.99, while the monthly price will see an increase from £5.99 to £6.99.

A PlayStation Plus subscription is needed to access online multiplayer features. The subscription service also allows subscribers to download a number of titles for free each month. Though few virtual reality (VR) titles have been offered to PlayStation Plus users for free so far, many are expecting that to change soon, and online multiplayer for VR titles such as Smashbox Arena needs PlayStation Plus subscription.

PlayStation Plus logo

Sony have warned user that the subscription will automatically increase after 31st August, so all subscriptions payable on or after the 31st August will be charged the new price. Customers unwilling to pay the new price will need to modify their subscription before that date.

No official reason for the price increase has been given. Since the increase is being applied across the entire PAL region, it seems unlikely to be a result of Brexit. Sony have only said that the price increase ‘Reflects changing market conditions.’.

There has not yet been any indication of a similar price increase being applied to the North American region.

VRFocus will continue to bring you new information this situation as it develops.

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PlayStation VR Tiny Trax Pre-Orders Available at 20% Discount

PlayStation VR users who subscribe to the PlayStation Plus service in Europe can take advantage of a special offer to pre-order virtual reality (VR) racing title Tiny Trax for 20% off ahead of the title’s release.

Tiny Trax is described as ‘Micro Machines meets Scalextric’ and emphasises player comfort to avoid VR motion sickness issues. The title places players in a colourful world of miniature racing cars, allowing players to control toy cars from a child’s perspective, boosting vehicles around and over their own body and jumping them high overhead. The player remains static relative to the virtual world and controls the action going on around them, reducing the discomfort than can arise from VR use.

Tiny Trax also offers online multiplayer that allows up to four players to race together over 12 tracks and three environments with six vehicles to select.

Tiny Trax screenshot

PlayStation Plus users in Europe can pre-order Tiny Trax now for £10.39 (GBP). The title is due for release on 25th July, 2017. Details on pre-orders for the USA will be available ‘soon’.

“We’re tremendously excited that Tiny Trax is now available to pre-order for PlayStation VR in Europe,” said FuturLab Director James Marsden. “VR is still a new concept to a lot of people, so we strived to make a game where all the environments evoke emotions of comfort and excitement. In Tiny Trax you play as a full-sized adult in a tiny world with even smaller cars – It’s a hugely compelling and re-playable game that we hope brings a new perspective to VR.”

VRFocus will bring you further information on Tiny Trax and other upcoming PlayStation VR titles as it becomes available.