February 3, 2011March 14, 2011

Coming to PlayStation Plus: Free Day One Download of Stacking and Exclusive Demos for Killzone 3 and Yakuza 4

Hi everyone,

We’re excited to share that over the next two weeks, our subscribers will be receiving a download of a highly anticipated PlayStation Network game and demos for two upcoming PlayStation 3 exclusives. With that said, let’s jump into our two upcoming PlayStation Plus publishes.

Tim Schafer and the brilliant minds over at Double Fine are releasing Stacking next Tuesday, and PlayStation Plus subscribers are getting a free download of the game the day it hits the PlayStation Store! Take control of Charlie Blackmore, a small matryoshka dolls, as you explore the diorama-like levels. Much like previous Double Fine games (Costume Quest & Psychonauts), expect some great humor and gameplay in this new adventure title.

Along with Stacking, PlayStation Plus subscribers are receiving exclusive demos to two upcoming PlayStation 3 exclusives. On February 8, we will be releasing a special PlayStation Plus update giving all PlayStation Plus subscribers exclusive access to a single player demo for Killzone 3. Killzone fans will get the first look at how the war between the ISA and Helghast has changed now that the fight has been moved to the Helghast’s homeland. The demo will be an Auto Download, so make sure you have the feature enabled (Check this post for more info on Automatic Downloads). On February 15, in our regular publish, we will be offering a demo for the upcoming sequel to SEGA’s Yakuza series, Yakuza 4. Fans of the series will get a taste of the criminal underbelly of Japan as four playable characters.

We are also offering a download of Let’s Golf, a golfing PlayStation minis title from Gameloft, a full game trial of ATV Pure, and several discounts on PSN games DLC, including new downloadable content for R.U.S.E. and Crash Bandicoot.

With the special publish coming up next Tuesday, be sure to check the full list below for all the items that are going up and being taken down for the PlayStation Plus publishes:

PlayStation Plus Highlights for 2/8:

Automatic Download
Killzone 3 Single Player Demo (Free and exclusive to PlayStation Plus subscribers)

Featured Game
Stacking (Free to PlayStation Plus subscribers, regular price $14.99)

Featured Qore Episode
Qore February Episode 33 (Free to PlayStation Plus subscribers, regular price $2.99)

Featured Avatars
Pocket Fighter Avatars (x6) (Free to PlayStation Plus subscribers, regular price $0.49 each)

PlayStation Plus Highlights for 2/15:

Full Game Trial
ATV Pure (Free and exclusive to PlayStation Plus subscribers)

Featured Demo
Yakuza 4 Demo

Featured Games
Let’s Golf – Playstation minis (Free to PlayStation Plus subscribers, regular price $4.99)

Discounted Games & DLC
Blacklight Tango Down (PlayStation Plus price $7.99, regular price $9.99)
R.U.S.E. – Pack of the Sun (PlayStation Plus price $7.49, regular price $9.99)
Gravity Crash (PS3) (PlayStation Plus Price $5.00, regular price $9.99)
Crash Bandicoot (PlayStation Plus price $3.00, regular price $5.99)
MAG Starter Kit (PlayStation Plus price $7.50, regular price $14.99)

Featured Themes & Avatars
Devil May Cry 4 Avatar Bundle (18 avatars ) (Exclusive to PlayStation Plus subscribers for $1.99)
DarkStalker Avatar Bundle (13 avatars) (Exclusive to PlayStation Plus subscribers for $0.99)
Femme Abstraction Theme (Free and exclusive to PlayStation Plus subscribers)
Snowman Dynamic Theme (Free and exclusive to PlayStation Plus subscribers)
Chinese New Year Dynamic Theme (Free and exclusive to PlayStation Plus subscribers)

Last Chance, Get Them While You Can – Coming down on February 8:

Featured Offers to PlayStation Plus Subscribers
Qore January Episode 32

Last Chance, Get Them While You Can – Coming down on February 15:

Featured Offers to PlayStation Plus Subscribers
Killzone 3 Single Player Demo
Hero of Sparta – PlayStation minis
Argyle Girls Theme
Hockey Theme

Discounted Games/DLC
Mega Man (PlayStation Plus price $3.00, regular price $5.99)
Juiced 2 PSP (PlayStation Plus price $10.00, regular price $19.99)
R.U.S.E. – The Chimera Pack (PlayStation Plus price $5.24, regular price $6.99)

Comments are closed.

185 Comments

MR_Hessla
February 3, 2011 at 5:33 pm PST

just to clarify if i don’t have the auto download on when the killzone 3 demo comes out can i still get it from the ps+ section of the store?? or do i have to get it using auto download??
- Kristi Fernandez
  February 7, 2011 at 2:29 pm PST
  
  Hi Mr_Hessla- You can also get the demo from PS Store in the PS Plus area.
ajayghosal
February 3, 2011 at 5:34 pm PST

Yea sony give me more crappy themes, I have like a 100 now. What about fallout dlc like europe?? or cod map packs or ac 2 dlc ??
Horrible update
BlueKnot
February 3, 2011 at 5:39 pm PST

Confused here… A week ago, on the PS blog about the store update, someone complained that there was nothing for Plus and got the response “Plus updates every two weeks!”.
Fine. Seems fair.
Great update this week. This one (next week) looks good two, but only one week later? And another on the 15th?
Either this is a fluke or the “every two weeks” excuse was a lie… which is it?
Mososo
February 3, 2011 at 5:42 pm PST

I love Double Fine games and I have been looking forward to Stacking. I am super duper thrilled to be getting it next Tuesday for free! I can’t wait!

My subscription has officially paid for itself now, so the rest is just bonus at this point. If this kind of thing keeps happening I’ll definitely be continuing my subscription.
DeadCell34
February 3, 2011 at 6:04 pm PST

Well thanks Sony for jipping the rest of your loyal customers out of the Killzone 3 singleplayer demo. Just because I don’t have lose pockets like those who actually waste money on PS+ because I do my fair share to support the Sony brand.
DeadCell34
February 3, 2011 at 6:05 pm PST

*loose pockets
Mosh_Pit
February 3, 2011 at 6:08 pm PST

Still not worth getting PSN plus for me.
mob_uk
February 3, 2011 at 6:35 pm PST

I am angry and sad at the same time, I cant believe how users in Europe [UK] get dealt the short straw all the time :-(

I want Stacking looks like the best PSN+ Free game so far..

PlZ reply
stlthriot
February 3, 2011 at 6:46 pm PST

Definitely the best free game yet with PS+! Thanks much!! :D
jrivera0108
February 3, 2011 at 7:02 pm PST

Thanks!! Looking back, buying that PS+ card on black friday was the best deal I got that day!
Kelticw12
February 3, 2011 at 7:03 pm PST

@mob_uk The same thing happens here in Canada.
But I cannot complain about ps+ bought from day one and no regrets, i do have over 100 items from all of this but thats another story. Thank you for including Canada in the Killzone 3 Open Beta already a Lance Corporal 1
Tank_Baked
February 3, 2011 at 7:33 pm PST

@104

The single player demo for KZ3 will be available the following week for everyone else .
Daigen
February 3, 2011 at 7:52 pm PST

Wow! This is awesome. I was planning on buying Stacked at full price day 1. This is probably the best Plus benefit yet! Good thing I’m upgrading my HDD to 500 GB tomorrow, just in time for the Auto Downloads! Well done Sony, and too Double Fine: keep up the great work!
ChronoGear
February 3, 2011 at 8:11 pm PST

Stacking for free? This can’t be right. How awesome is Playstation Plus? That Awesome apparantly! So stoked for it!
julianro
February 3, 2011 at 8:16 pm PST

Hey Grace, offtopic ? for you…any word on SOCOM 4 Beta coming to PS+?
thks a lot.
El_Hoardo
February 3, 2011 at 8:17 pm PST

Sweet! Sometimes PS+ disappoints me. Not today!
DazeOfWar
February 3, 2011 at 8:31 pm PST

Now this is an awesome update. Finally a new game for free. Glad to be a Plus member. Keep this up Sony and you’ll probably bring on new subscribers.

I was wondering though were our free PSone game is?
normalguy417
February 3, 2011 at 8:33 pm PST

STACKING FOR FREE? God I love Playstation Plus. People who say it isnt worth it, really are not looking hard enough
DazeOfWar
February 3, 2011 at 8:34 pm PST

Just forget about my question about the free PSone game. I should have read the replies first. My bad.
killerinthesand
February 3, 2011 at 9:07 pm PST

@2 Why would it not be on the psn if the Japan psn already has it on the psn?
TheGuardianFID
February 3, 2011 at 9:09 pm PST

Awesome stuff guys, thank you for the gifts, they are very welcome!!! 8)
gamermania
February 3, 2011 at 9:41 pm PST

thanks for the update,

btw, KillZone 3 is E.P.I.C.!
Sponge-worthy
February 3, 2011 at 9:45 pm PST

Thanks to the PS staff and please extend our thanks to the Double Fine folks. Can’t wait to check out Stacking!
ElektroDragon
February 3, 2011 at 10:22 pm PST

I highly suggest MORE such special offers, because it FINALLY caused me to break down and buy Plus instead of paying $15 for the game on 360. Sadly, I missed Spyro 1, Sam & Max, and some other stuff by waiting this long, but better late than never, I guess.

I’m also highly annoyed that I keep having to pay TAX on EVERYTHING on PSN… Plus, games, etc. whereas with the 360, EVERYTHING IS TAX FREE because the points cards are sold in my state without tax, even though my state does have sales tax! PLEASE SWITCH TO A POINT SYSTEM SO I DON’T HAVE TO PAY TAX!
df2506
February 3, 2011 at 10:28 pm PST

Stacking for free?! *jaw-drops* Yes, this makes me wish I had Playstation plus! *sigh* Don’t have the money for it though…

Will there be a demo for everybody on Tuesday for Stacking? Hope so!
TheMadSpin
February 3, 2011 at 10:32 pm PST

I’ve already gotten my money’s worth from my Playstation Plus account, but as a long time fan of DoubleFine, this is an amazing bonus. I was already planning to pick this game up day one–now I can do it without dropping 15 bucks. I’ll use that cash to fund the Dragon Age DLC I’ve been holding off on.
alok893
February 3, 2011 at 10:59 pm PST

Yakuza 4 is a must buy EPic game without any Cuts!
dreddi1
February 3, 2011 at 11:47 pm PST

Hopefully we will get some good full games in EU too
markcusd
February 4, 2011 at 12:16 am PST

Stacking looks interesting.
Ecks
February 4, 2011 at 12:42 am PST

I wasn’t expecting to get Stacking for free – certainly helps make Plus worth my subscription, even though I’ve bought a lot of PSN games that have come out later as part of the Plus subscription. I’ve gotten Sam & Max (yay!), Stacking (yay!), Lead & Gold (meh!) in addition to misc. DLC and themes/avatars/minis/PSone games.
Dessron
February 4, 2011 at 12:44 am PST

Good, another great PS+ update. Good to see you aren’t only sticking to the ”1 free PSN, 1 free PS1 and 2 free Minis a month” offer. Great to have more free stuff than expected from time to time. BTW, PS+ is a really great service, I’ve never been disappointed by it (I can’t understand why people whine about this service (if you already have everything in the store, why did you subscribed in the first place???… lol))
Enigma777
February 4, 2011 at 12:46 am PST

I gotta say that this is pretty awesome. PS+ is finally starting to pay for itself!
TUSTIN1
February 4, 2011 at 4:12 am PST

Exclusive demos is a pretty stupid move on your part.

I know you’re trying to push PlayStation plus but people purchase content based on playing demos so limiting their scope isn’t the smartest thing to do…
Thrill_Kill
February 4, 2011 at 4:26 am PST

This is pretty cool news! Getting the demos of Yakuza 4 and Killzone 3 made my day!

However there are a few things on my mind I would like to see happen sometime soon.

-I would like to have a way to use the PS Store “Downloaded Items” list sortable like the way I can sort folders on the xmb. I have over something like 700 things downloaded from the store, and it takes forever to sort through it all to find which games I downloaded vs all the demos and add ons. Make a SORT function in the PSN store in the downloads area please, so that way I can go through different sections… demos, addons, full game keys, full games and so on. That would really ease some frustration.

-Add a function to the XMB under the game folder to install the game data of any game, so that way any game on the system will have faster loading. I would really love to see this functionality added to the system.

-Please upgrade the web browser to something more functional.
Thrill_Kill
February 4, 2011 at 4:26 am PST

Also…

-Make the auto-download more functional. The way it is, it is useless for anything other than faster firmware installations. I would rather have a choice, with a list of all the newest things available on the PS Store every tuesday, and a column of tick boxes next to the list, so I can check off the ones I want to download, and the ones I don’t want I can mark off the list by removing the tick.
drew327
February 4, 2011 at 5:01 am PST

Great-looking game to get for free- thanks for working to get us this game
Shocking4U
February 4, 2011 at 5:21 am PST

You guys rock!
i was an early adapter of plus and im so enjoying it!
thank you very much playstation
PSKratos
February 4, 2011 at 5:39 am PST

Will Stacking be free for European Plus members? :) Would be awesome!!
Gaor
February 4, 2011 at 5:58 am PST

@PSKratos : I doubt about it. Instead of ‘Stacking’, Europeans have that crap of ‘Lead and Gold’, which is also a 15 bucks game. Shame.
F-minus
February 4, 2011 at 6:21 am PST

Really!?!?!?!?!?! I get Stacking for FREE!!! I was fully intending on paying for this… I hope they get some money.

Thank you Double Fine & PS+
zenju3
February 4, 2011 at 7:28 am PST

Ya know, I was iffy about plus when it was first announced, but you guys are just… amazing. Well worth the subscription, I think I’ve got my $50 back and then some already. I’ll definitely be continuing my subscription for a long time. I want to thank you guys for showing us what a REAL premium subscription should be like. Keep up the great work.
Seiven
February 4, 2011 at 7:57 am PST

super excited for Stacking and KZ3 single player demo…with an eight month old son it is hard to play multiplayer like I used to. Thank you guys so much from a PSN+ day one subscriber.
Assassin_Pug
February 4, 2011 at 8:31 am PST

Yay for free games!!
StrykerIsland
February 4, 2011 at 8:35 am PST

Free Stacking? Awesomesauce.
poncaboy
February 4, 2011 at 8:54 am PST

Wassup my PS peeps,just wanna say how awesome PS is and i’m proud to own my PS3 andmore glad I didn’t buy a dam X-Box
scorpio182
February 4, 2011 at 9:20 am PST

Any date on when Cloud Saving will happen?

I will subsribe to PS Plus the day it becomes available.
boobinz
February 4, 2011 at 9:40 am PST

ANOTHER BONUS FOR PLUS…WOOOT I LOVE IT..THX SONY..KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK….
terranwolf
February 4, 2011 at 10:14 am PST

Don’t care if it’s on Plus or not, but America needs the demon’s souls dynamic theme! It’s been 2 years waiting!
Firecrest
February 4, 2011 at 12:29 pm PST

If this and the rumored cloud downloads are a sign of things to come, then I think competing services better start watching their backs.
hush404
February 4, 2011 at 12:44 pm PST

Free? **** YEAH! :D