PlayStation Plus Unveils July Games, Celebrates 15 Years of Gaming with Players

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PlayStation Plus

Gaming enthusiasts worldwide have reason to celebrate as PlayStation Plus unveils its highly anticipated monthly game lineup for July, featuring a trio of titles set to engage players across various genres. This announcement arrives just as the popular subscription service prepares to mark a significant milestone: its 15th anniversary on June 29, 2025. Sony Interactive Entertainment is commemorating this journey with a series of special events and offerings designed to thank the millions of players who have supported PlayStation Plus over the years.

Key Takeaways:

  • July Monthly Games: PlayStation Plus members can claim Diablo IV (PS5, PS4), The King of Fighters XV (PS5, PS4), and Jusant (PS5) from July 1 to August 4, 2025.
  • 15th Anniversary: PlayStation Plus, launched on June 29, 2010, is celebrating 15 years of providing value to gamers.
  • Celebration Activities: Events include Game Trials for WWE 2K25 and Monster Hunter Wilds for Premium members, exclusive PlayStation Store discounts, a free Valorant cosmetic pack, a 15th Anniversary Cup tournament, and a free online multiplayer weekend for all players.
  • Community Appreciation: Sony Interactive Entertainment expresses gratitude to players for their continued support throughout the service’s history.
  • Service Evolution: PlayStation Plus has evolved significantly, from offering monthly games and online multiplayer to its current three-tiered structure (Essential, Extra, Premium) with extensive game catalogs.

July’s Monthly Games: A Diverse Selection

Beginning July 1 and available until August 4, 2025, PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra, and Premium members will gain access to three compelling titles, adding considerable depth and variety to their gaming libraries.

Diablo IV (PS5, PS4)

Blizzard Entertainment’s highly regarded action RPG, Diablo IV, leads the July lineup. This title offers a dark fantasy experience where players battle endless hordes of evil, master various abilities, and explore nightmarish Dungeons. Whether embarking on the campaign solo or with friends in 2-player local co-op or up to 4-player online co-op, players will encounter memorable characters within a grim open world. The game also features an expansive endgame, where players can engage in trading in towns, team up for World Boss encounters, and customize characters and loot. Importantly, Diablo IV includes cross-play and cross-progression across all available platforms, allowing for seamless gameplay experiences. The timing of its inclusion is particularly significant as Diablo IV is set to receive a major update, including expansions to endgame dungeons and the addition of keyboard and mouse support on consoles, making it an opportune moment for PlayStation players to dive in.

The King of Fighters XV (PS5, PS4)

For fighting game enthusiasts, SNK’s The King of Fighters XV joins the monthly games. Building on a legacy that began in 1994, The King of Fighters XV brings together an epic dream match. It retains the series’ traditional 3-on-3 team battle setup and features 39 characters, a mix of classic fighters, revived combatants, and new warriors. A new combat system and the implementation of rollback netcode are designed to reduce lag in online matches, ensuring a smoother competitive experience. As an added bonus, the PlayStation Plus launch of The King of Fighters XV includes the “Classic Leona” DLC costume, allowing players to change Leona’s appearance to her KoF ’96 look.

Jusant (PS5)

Rounding out the July offerings is Don’t Nod’s Jusant, an action-puzzle climbing game. This title provides a meditative journey to the top of a tall tower. Players can challenge themselves at their own pace, explore different paths, and uncover secrets from a bygone civilization. The game focuses on mastering climbing tools and managing stamina while navigating a mysterious and changing tower. As players ascend and refine their skills, they will determine the best use of their tools to reach their objectives and discover clues about the tower’s history. Jusant offers a relatively calm yet engaging experience.

These three titles represent a thoughtful selection, catering to different gaming preferences, from intense action RPGs and competitive fighting games to unique, contemplative puzzle adventures.

Celebrating 15 Years of PlayStation Plus

PlayStation Plus first launched on June 29, 2010. Over the past 15 years, it has transformed from a service offering exclusive content and discounts to a comprehensive gaming subscription with multiple tiers, providing access to hundreds of games, online multiplayer, and more. Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Vice President of Global Services, Global Sales, and Business Operations, Nick Maguire, extended a sincere thank you to all players for their support, emphasizing the company’s focus on delivering quality game experiences.

Since the introduction of the Monthly Games benefit, previously known as the Instant Game Collection, PlayStation Plus has offered over 500 monthly games to its subscribers. The PlayStation Plus Game Catalog, which launched three years ago with the revamp of the service, has also seen strong engagement, with popular titles like Ghost of Tsushima, God of War Ragnarök, Grand Theft Auto V, Hogwarts Legacy, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and The Last of Us Part I seeing significant playtime.

Anniversary Festivities for Players

To mark this significant anniversary, Sony is rolling out several celebratory activities designed to engage and reward its player base.

Game Trials for Premium Members

PlayStation Plus Premium members can access game trials for two notable titles:

  • WWE 2K25: Starting June 25, Premium members can try out the latest iteration of 2K’s wrestling franchise.
  • Monster Hunter Wilds: Another game trial opportunity for Premium members, the ultimate hunting experience in Monster Hunter Wilds, becomes available from June 30.

PlayStation Store Exclusive Offer Weekend

From June 27 to June 29, all PlayStation Plus members will have the chance to secure exclusive savings on select titles. This includes games like Sniper Elite: Resistance, Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, and Star Wars Outlaws.

Valorant PS Plus Pack

All PlayStation Plus members can redeem a free Valorant pack starting June 25. This pack includes cosmetic items such as 2x Prelude to Chaos Gun Buddy, 1x Kohaku & Matsuba Player Card, 1x Imperium Spray, 1x Chronovoid Spray, and 10x Radianite Points. These items are cosmetic and do not affect gameplay.

PlayStation Tournaments: 15th Anniversary Cup

Starting Saturday, June 28, PlayStation will host a special PlayStation Plus 15th Anniversary Cup tournament. Players can compete in popular titles such as EA Sports FC, NBA 2K, UFC, Madden NFL, College Football, and Tekken 8. Prizes for competitors include in-game virtual currency, an exclusive PSN avatar, and Sony Pictures Core Movie Credits. Players can access the tournament through custom tournament cards or in-game menus.

Sony Pictures Core Discount

Until August 12, PlayStation Plus Premium members will receive a 15% discount on up to 2,000 movies available through the Sony Pictures Core library directly from their console. Movie titles vary by market and are subject to change.

Online Multiplayer Weekend

For players who do not have an active PlayStation Plus membership, Sony is offering a special Online Multiplayer Weekend from June 28 at 12:01 AM local time to June 29 at 11:59 PM local time. During this period, all players can join online multiplayer matches without requiring a PlayStation Plus subscription, providing an opportunity to experience one of the core benefits of the service.

PlayStation Plus: A Brief History and Its Value

PlayStation Plus began as a premium add-on to the free PlayStation Network service, providing early access to betas, automatic game updates, and exclusive discounts. Over time, it grew to include the “Instant Game Collection,” offering a selection of free games each month that subscribers could keep as long as their membership was active. This feature quickly became a cornerstone of the service.

In June 2022, Sony revamped PlayStation Plus, introducing a tiered subscription model to provide more options and content. The three tiers are:

  • PlayStation Plus Essential: This tier includes the core benefits, such as online multiplayer access, monthly games, exclusive discounts, and cloud storage for game saves.
  • PlayStation Plus Extra: Building on Essential, this tier adds a Game Catalog of up to 400 PS4 and PS5 titles, including blockbuster games from PlayStation Studios.
  • PlayStation Plus Premium: The top tier provides all benefits from Essential and Extra, along with a Classics Catalog featuring games from the original PlayStation, PS2, PS3, and PSP, as well as game trials and cloud streaming for many titles.

While Sony has not publicly disclosed current subscriber numbers for PlayStation Plus, reports from earlier in the year indicated continued growth, particularly in the higher-priced Extra and Premium tiers. The service has consistently aimed to provide value through a rotating selection of games, exclusive offers, and fundamental online connectivity.

The 15th anniversary celebrations and the July game lineup underscore PlayStation’s commitment to its player community. The blend of popular new titles and engaging celebratory activities reflects a direct appreciation for the loyalty and passion of PlayStation gamers worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are the PlayStation Plus monthly games for July 2025?

A1: The PlayStation Plus monthly games for July 2025 are Diablo IV (PS5, PS4), The King of Fighters XV (PS5, PS4), and Jusant (PS5).

Q2: When can I download the PlayStation Plus July monthly games?

A2: These games will be available to download for PlayStation Plus members from July 1, 2025, until August 4, 2025.

Q3: What is the 15th anniversary of PlayStation Plus?

A3: PlayStation Plus launched on June 29, 2010. Its 15th anniversary marks 15 years of the subscription service providing benefits like online multiplayer, monthly games, and exclusive content to PlayStation players.

Q4: Are there any special events for the PlayStation Plus 15th anniversary?

A4: Yes, celebrations include Game Trials for WWE 2K25 and Monster Hunter Wilds (for Premium members), a PlayStation Store Exclusive Offer Weekend (June 27-29), a free Valorant cosmetic pack, a 15th Anniversary Cup tournament (starting June 28), 15% off Sony Pictures Core movies (for Premium members), and a free online multiplayer weekend (June 28-29) for all players.

Q5: Do I need PlayStation Plus to play online multiplayer games?

A5: Generally, a PlayStation Plus subscription is required for most PS4 and PS5 games for online multiplayer. However, some free-to-play games do not require a subscription. This anniversary weekend (June 28-29), online multiplayer will be free for all players, regardless of their PlayStation Plus membership status.

Q6: How do I access PlayStation Plus monthly games?

A6: You can access and download monthly games directly from the PlayStation Plus section on your PlayStation console’s home screen or through the PlayStation App and PlayStation Store website. Navigate to the “Monthly Games” section, select the game, and choose “Add to Library” or “Download.”

Q7: What are the different tiers of PlayStation Plus?

A7: PlayStation Plus has three tiers:

  • Essential: Offers online multiplayer, monthly games, exclusive discounts, and cloud storage.
  • Extra: Includes all Essential benefits plus a Game Catalog of hundreds of PS4 and PS5 games.
  • Premium: Includes all Essential and Extra benefits, plus a Classics Catalog, game trials, and cloud streaming.
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