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Sony Now Requires Some PlayStation Developers to Provide Time-limited Game Trials 

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Sony will now require PlayStation game developers to create trial versions of their games. Developers working on games with a wholesale cost of $34 or more are now required to produce time-limited game trials, according to Game Developer. 

The news comes as Sony stated that it would update its PlayStation Plus program in June and provide new subscription tiers. In June, Sony will merge PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now, and its new premium tier will contain time-limited game trials. Additionally, the tier will offer classic games spanning several PlayStation console generations.

Sony Reportedly announced the new policy to several developers via an update to Sony’s developer portal. According to the new guideline, games that cost less than $34 do not necessarily need to produce limited-time trials. 

The trial versions would have to last at least two hours long. Developers have three months from the moment their game launches on the PlayStation Store to create a timed trial. Trials must also be available for at least 12 months to PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers. Developers can still propose Alternative demo formats, which Sony will approve on a case-by-case basis. The new restriction, however, does not apply to virtual reality games.

For all developers seeking to release on PlayStation, this new guideline appears to be a mixed bag. Larger publishers, on the one hand, are more likely to have the means to generate these time-limited game trials and will gain from PlayStation Plus Premium subscriptions. However, game trials may have a negative impact on the bottom lines of some developers.

One of the main benefits of Sony’s new PlayStation Plus Premium tier, which launches on June 13 in the United States, is the game trials. Access to a library of classic PS1, PS2, and PSP titles, as well as cloud streaming, are more perks that will be available on the service. 

New PlayStation Plus Cost

PlayStation Plus Premium will be available for $119.99 annually or $17.99 monthly from June.

What’s your take? What do you think of Sony’s new guidelines for PlayStation game developers?  Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.

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Evans Karanja is a video game journalist, and content writer at Gaming.net, where he covers game reviews, features, buying guides, recommendations, and new releases across PC and major console platforms.

His passion for gaming began while he was still a child after his uncle surprised him with a Brick Game packed with dozens of games. He later moved on to Contra and other NES classics, sparking a lifelong passion for video games.

Evans specializes in creating player-focused content that helps readers discover new games. He also enjoys tabletop games like Monopoly, hiking, and watching F1.