Sony is to start charging for access to the PlayStation Network.

Well, kind of. PSN will remain free to access as is currently the case, but Sony will be introducing a subscription-based add-on, PlayStation Plus, that provides content it hopes punters will want to pay for.

PlayStation Plus kicks off in on 29 June, priced at €15 a month, or €50 a year. That will buy you access to full versions of games only partially available on PSN, and to have access to all the levels of titles only available for a trial period.

You also get custom themes and avatars, and discounts off downloadable games and content.

PlayStation Plus will be added to the online PlayStation Store and will require PS3 firmware 3.40 to access it - that software update will be pushed out on 29 June, Sony said. ®

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