Sony has given a new update to games coming to PS Plus when they launch with a new badge that will display next to their artwork in promotions.
Earlier this year, Sony made a major change to how PS Plus works by adding three different subscription tiers to the service, one of which was PS Now. The new subscription runs on three different tiers with the PS Plus base renamed Essentials, a new Extra tier added to bring hundreds of games under the subscription, and a slightly pricey Premium tier that brings Game Trials, PS Classics, and Game Streaming.
As the service launched earlier this year, Sony has announced that some games will be released on PS Plus, including Stray. The latest subscription addition is Divine Knockout (DKO) which is coming to PS Plus Essentials at launch. It appears to be the first game to use a new badge as part of the promotion that identifies it as a Day 1 release on a PlayStation Plus subscription.
Here’s some information about Divine Knockout taken from the game’s official PlayStation Store page.
KO the gods in the world’s only 3rd person combat platformer! Become a small but mighty god of myth, fight in three dimensions and eliminate your friends from the map to reign supreme.
Intense multiplayer action
Damage enemies to make them vulnerable, then knock them out of the arena with a mighty blow! Enjoy combat inspired by 2D platform fighters, but presented from a unique third-person perspective.Evolving battlefields
Each arena features a new mechanic that players must master to win. Some crumble over time, while others feature deadly traps.Unleash divine powers
Throw boulders as Hercules, swing Excalibur as King Arthur or wield Mjolnir as Thor.Game modes for everyone
In DKO’s basic 3v3 mode, every turn is a new adventure – and a new mode. Or play intense 2v2 and 1v1 duels.Cross-platform
With full cross-play and cross-progression, you can play anyone, anywhere.Play your way
Customize each god to play exactly how you want and to show off your unique style.
Microsoft has already attempted this with Game Pass with the same promotion indicating when a game is coming to Game Pass at launch. If Sony puts this badge on new games, it suggests they could aggressively pursue the same strategy as Microsoft to grow their subscriber base. Their latest report does not seem to suggest encouraging numbers as the total number of users remains stagnant.
Although Divine Knockout is offered free to PS Plus subscribers, it appears to offer a form of virtual currency that can be used in-game. This is available in various price options ranging from $9.99 to $99.99. It remains to be seen how the game will perform once it launches on PlayStation Plus next week.