Sony has once again reiterated its stance on the release strategy for PlayStation Plus, making it clear that first-party titles will not be available on the service on day one. In an interview with Game File, Nick Maguire, PlayStation’s Vice President of Global Services, explained that the current model—which adds select independent games at launch and introduces Sony-published titles after a delay of 12 to 18 months—is yielding positive results for the platform.
Maguire noted that “adding four to five day-one independent games per year and first-party games after a longer window is working really well for us.” This approach, he said, allows PlayStation to build momentum for franchises and time their re-releases strategically, particularly in the run-up to sequels or other franchise-related announcements. He emphasized the importance of creating moments of engagement rather than simply saturating the service with new titles.
Under the Essential tier of PlayStation Plus, Sony currently introduces two PS5 and two PS4 games on a monthly basis. For instance, June 2025’s additions included NBA 2K25, which originally launched in September 2024, and Bomb Rush Cyberfunk from 2023. Meanwhile, the Extra and Premium tiers provide a deeper catalog of both recent and older titles, with the company targeting two to three additions each month. This tier in June welcomed titles like the recently released FBC Firebreak, Battlefield 2042, and We Love Katamari Reroll + Royal Reverie.
Classic games remain a core focus of the Premium tier. Each month, Sony aims to include at least one title from the PS1, PS2, PSP, or PS3 eras. June’s classic update featured Deus Ex: The Conspiracy for PS2. Maguire acknowledged the challenge of adding PS3 titles due to technical constraints, as these games require streaming, but reassured that support for PS3 content remains ongoing. “We haven’t ruled them out,” he stated. “There are a lot of PS3 games already available via streaming, and we’ll continue to explore opportunities.”
Despite the effort to expand the catalog, some games do rotate out of the service. In May 2025, notable removals included Infamous Second Son (PS4) and two Resistance titles from the PS3 era. Maguire justified these decisions as part of a necessary balance: “We’ve got 80 collections of games across the catalog, so we want to keep it fresh and bring in new games. Sometimes that means taking a few games out to keep the proposition interesting and help people discover new experiences.”
Sony will mark PlayStation Plus’ 15th anniversary with special discounts and online tournaments featuring major titles like EA Sports FC, NBA 2K, UFC, Madden, and Tekken 8. The company sees this milestone as both a celebration of the service’s legacy and an opportunity to strengthen community engagement while adapting to evolving player preferences.
