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Sony Announces PlayStation Plus Price Hikes for Canada and Turkey
Following recent announcements of subscription price adjustments in Latin America and Southeast Asia, Sony Interactive Entertainment has revealed further price increases for its PlayStation Plus (PS Plus) service in Canada and Turkey. This marks the second wave of price adjustments for the gaming subscription service in recent weeks, impacting gamers globally.
New Subscription Costs in Canada
Effective immediately for new subscribers, the cost of a 12-month PlayStation Plus Essential membership in Canada has been raised to $109.99 CAD. The 12-month Extra tier will now cost $189.99 CAD, and the premium-tier PlayStation Plus Premium package is priced at $224.99 CAD annually. These revised prices represent a significant increase compared to the previous subscription fees, which were $94.99 CAD for Essential, $154.99 for Extra, and $189.99 CAD for Premium.
- PS Plus Essential (12 months): $109.99 CAD (previously $94.99 CAD)
- PS Plus Extra (12 months): $189.99 CAD (previously $154.99 CAD)
- PS Plus Premium (12 months): $224.99 CAD (previously $189.99 CAD)
Price Changes for Existing Subscribers
Current PlayStation Plus subscribers in Canada will see the new pricing take effect starting June 24th. Sony has informed Canadian subscribers via email about these upcoming changes, citing the need to “continue bringing high-quality games and benefits” to the service as the rationale behind the price adjustment.
Significant Increases Reported in Turkey
Reports indicate that Turkey is facing even more substantial price increases for PlayStation Plus subscriptions. According to VGChartz, the price hikes in Turkey could reach as high as 55%, also becoming effective on June 24th. This considerable surge may represent a substantial financial impact on PlayStation gamers in the region.
European Gamers Await News
With price increases now affecting multiple regions, PlayStation gamers in the UK and Europe are concerned about potential similar adjustments in the near future. Notably, PlayStation Plus subscription costs in the UK experienced a 20% rise in September 2023. The price for a 12-month Essential membership in the UK increased from £49.99 to £59.99 at that time.
- Current UK PS Plus Subscription Prices:
- PS Plus Essential (12 months): £59.99
- PS Plus Extra (12 months): £99.99
- PS Plus Premium (12 months): £119.99
PS5 Console Price Adjustment
While UK consumers have not yet experienced further PS Plus subscription price increases, Sony recently raised the price of the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition console in the UK. The console’s price climbed from £389.99 to £429.99.
Rationale Behind Price Adjustments
Sony attributed the PlayStation 5 console price increase to “high inflation and fluctuating exchange rates” in a PlayStation Blog post. The company stated that the decision to elevate the recommended retail price of the PS5 console in select markets across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand was made due to a “challenging economic environment.”
Retailers May Offer Previous Pricing
Despite the official price adjustment, some retailers, such as Argos, may still offer the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition console at the previous price of £389.99, providing a potential opportunity for consumers to purchase the console at a lower cost, at least for a limited time.