PlayStation Plus Will Enhance The Current PSN Experience For Subscribers.

If you don't want to pay, the PlayStation Network (as you know it) is going to be completely free. Alas, for those of you who do want to pay, Sony's announced the new PlayStation Plus service, which will cost just $49.99 (€49.99/¥5,000) a year. You'll also be able to pay for a three month subscription, which will cost just $17.99.

Sony revealed that the PlayStation Plus platform will allow subscribers to download full PS3, PSN and PSone Classics for free, offering subscribers “hundreds of dollars worth of value”. First games available as part of the subscription include Wipeout HD, an inFamous 2 trial and the Rally Cross mini.

You'll also get access to loads of other stuff such as DLC, map-packs, discounts, betas, and, in the US, Qore. It's like a haven for frequent users.

PlayStation Plus will also include auto-download features, meaning you don't have to wait a billion years for a game's patch to upload, because the system's already working.

Sadly, no word on Cross-Game Chat. Yet.