The Best Perks of Xbox Live Gold and PlayStation Plus You May Not Know

[Ironman273]

Since I'm sure there were some new consoles under Christmas trees this year I thought this article may be helpful:

 

The Best Perks of Xbox Live Gold and PlayStation Plus You May Not Know
Alan Henry

 

 

Whether you have an Xbox One or a PlayStation 4, if you want to play online with friends, you'll need to cough up money for Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus. You may even pick it up just for free games every month. Still, there are some other perks to that membership you may not know about. Let's look at them.

 

Most of us know that an annual Xbox Live Gold ($60/yr) or PlayStation Plus ($50/yr) membership comes with things like free games and the ability to play multiplayer titles online with our friends (assuming those networks stay up, that is.) If you do spend the money on either, you probably want to get your money's worth. Let's take a look at some of the other, often overlooked perks of both memberships so you can squeeze every dollar out of that subscription before it renews.

Free Trials, Betas, and Discounts On Digital Game Downloads

You probably know about the free games you can get with your premium memberships, but both Xbox Live Gold and PlayStation Plus members get pretty hefty discounts on game downloads too. PlayStation Plus members get discounts up to 75% off some titles they can download and play right away, and Microsoft's Deals with Gold program offers equally steep cuts on retail prices for tons of new and recently released titles you can get right away. Right now, for example, Xbox Live Gold members can pick up Tomb Raider for 50% off, or snag a range of discounts on any Namco title in the store. Sony just put the wraps back on a year-end flash sale, but you can be sure more are on the way.

 

Similarly, both consoles give their premium members access to betas, free game trials, and more that free users don't necessarily get access to. For example, PlayStation Plus members can get

[Aergan]

They're not "perks" they're part of the subscription service you pay for.

[Ironman273]

A lot of people see those services as just online playing.  For a new player that isn't aware the extra features could be considered perks.  Jeez, when did Neowin turn into such a pedantic **** when an article is posted to help people?

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

It's all about the gold cross next to your name... so you can see the peasants! 

[Aergan]

A lot of people see those services as just online playing.  For a new player that isn't aware the extra features could be considered perks.  Jeez, when did Neowin turn into such a pedantic **** when an article is posted to help people?

 

I'm arguing the source article and thread title that should have been called "Here's what you get in your console subscription service". It's pretty condescending to call it "perks" if you're already paying for a service.

[Ironman273]

And thus my point still stands... :-\