Hi All
Big thanks to everyone on here for all the advise for a non gaming parent.
Looking to purchase a PS4 for our kids, but want to know if having a PSN subscription is essential?
Can someone let me know exactly what it is used for and how much you can (or can't) do with your system if you don't have one?
Thanks
Thanks for that- and yes I am assuming I meant PSN Plus- sorry.
Looks like I can do without for now- thanks for the quick response.
I bought a system for myself not too long ago, and do not have PSN subscription. think the only thing you miss out on really is playing against people onlline.
As mentioned by others, it's not required, but you do get some benefits. There's no free spotify, just to clarify trustnoone's point above. Every month you get a few free games which is cool, and you can't play multiplayer without it, so there are reasons to think about it, but if they don't intend to play multiplayer games then it probably doesn't matter too much.
I'm being a pedant but it is called PS Plus
Depends how old your kids are. Once they are older, there is some peer pressure to do group gaming so you will need the subscription.
I wouldn't bother - it's primarily for online gaming and chatting to friends on the console.
Some games really do require it for basic play ability, others have no need for it whatsoever.
what do they play (or will be playing) and we can let you know how important it is
I'd get it.
You get discounts on games, and the ability to play online.
It's not essential but it's not that bad either, especially if you keep an eye out for membership fee discounts on Ozbargain.
Personally I would be happy without it but my son pressured me to sign up so he can play online with friends. The monthly free games make the subscription fee less painful too.
PlayStation Plus is not that essential. You get a few free games each month with the subscription, the ability to play online games and that's about it.
However a PlayStation network account may be essential. You can make one and then make your kids one under your name and restrict content for them.
What may be a good option and is what I recommend- Make a PlayStation Network account under your name, activate PSN+ under your name, (because what you will be able to do is add the free games each month to your library, download the kid-friendly ones and restrict the other ones - keep them until your kids grow older ;) ) then make a PSN account for your kids. That way they will be able to play the games you get for free each month, but you will be able to restrict them as well.
Hope this helps.
Thanks all for the detailed feedback- really appreciated.
I could be wrong (I'm guessing you mean PSN Plus?) but as far as I know you don't need it at all.
Not having it allows you to:
-Still get updates for games
-Still see your friend list?
-Still talk to your friends online?
-Still buy games from PSN Store
-Still get themes from store
Having it allows you to:
-Play games with your friends online
-Play games with randoms online
-Get a few free games a month (games only available while you have PSN Plus)
-Get more (or better) discounts when you buy games on the PSN Store
-Not sure on this but /maybe/ I think you actually get free spotify on PS4 as well? (not sure)
-Not sure of this either, but I think it gives you automatic cloud storage as well (Save files saved to the cloud automatically up to 10gb?) (not sure)
For the most part as far as I know, PSN Plus is made for allowing you to play online multiplayer.