Sony Computer Entertainment is planning a huge update to its online subscription services by giving its users more value than ever before. Coming this summer, PlayStation Plus, Sony's gaming subscription service, and PlayStation Now, Sony's cloud gaming service, will now be combined into one service while offering several subscription packages.

In a blog post over at the official Playstation Blog,  Jim Ryan, President, and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment has stated that they are planning to add three new membership tiers to their service, which include Essential, Extra, and Premium.

Playstation Plus Essential subscribers will get the same benefits that PlayStation Plus members have already, which include two free game downloads each month, exclusive discounts, cloud saves, and access to online multiplayer. No other new features or benefits will be added to this tier.

Playstation Plus Extra is their second available tier, as subscribers for this tier will gain the same benefits from the essential tier, as well as up to a catalog of 400+ PS4 and PS5 that users can download and play for $14.99 a month.

Playstation Plus Premium is where things get interesting, as subscribers will gain the same benefits from both the Essential and Extra tiers, plus they'll be getting 340+ more games available from a catalog of PS1, PS2, PS3, and PSP systems, with PS1, PS2 and PSP games available for either download and cloud streaming, while PS3 games are available through cloud streaming only. Cloud streaming will also be available for PS4 and PS5 consoles, as well as the PC. Lastly, time-limited game trials will be available so users can try games out before they decide to buy them. All of this will cost $17.99 a month.

While all this sounds nice, there is currently no mention that subscribers will be able to play brand new games as soon as they come out, much like with Xbox Game Pass, which many users would argue is the biggest part of its success. The amount of options that Sony is attempting to place into PlayStation Plus is commendable, but until they can match Microsoft's subscription service completely 1-to-1, Xbox Game Pass will still have the edge when it comes to value.

PlayStation Plus' updated service will launch in June 2022. For more information, as well as EU, UK, and JP pricing, visit the PlayStation Blog.