Minecraft, the world’s 2nd best-selling video game of all time, needs no introduction. The same goes for PS Plus, Sony’s 13-year-old Playstation subscription service that gives gamers worldwide access to online gaming and a host of other premium features on their PS4 and PS5 consoles.
As a result, the question of whether or not you need PS Plus to play Minecraft is relatively popular within the gaming community, making this piece a necessity.
In this article, we’ll explore this question and its supporting questions and provide comprehensive answers. First, let’s tackle the big one.
Do You Need PS Plus to Play Minecraft?
Yes, you need PS Plus to play Minecraft in multiplayer mode on PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5. Meanwhile, a PS Plus subscription is no longer needed if you play Minecraft in single-player mode.
Why Does Minecraft Require PS Plus for Multiplayer?
Here are the two main reasons why Minecraft requires PS Plus for multiplayer mode:
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To Make Minecraft Fair and Fun.
Sony can help prevent cheating and other disruptive behavior in online multiplayer games by requiring a subscription. The subscription serves as a filter to minimize bad actors. -
To Fund and Maintain the PSN and Game Resources.
The PlayStation Network is the infrastructure that allows PlayStation players to connect and play games online. Requiring a subscription helps Sony maintain and update the PlayStation Network with new features.
If you have issues using PS Plus, check out why your PS Plus is not working
How Much Does It Cost to Get a PS Plus Subscription?
The cost of a PS Plus subscription varies depending on the plan you choose from the three available plans: Essential, Extra, and Premium.
| Plan | Per Month | Per Quarter | Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | $10 | $25 | $80 |
| Extra | $15 | $40 | $135 |
| Premium | $18 | $50 | $160 |
You can subscribe to PS Plus here.
If you’re a regular Minecraft player, a PlayStation Plus subscription is probably worth the cost. It will allow you to play with friends from all over the world and give you access to other benefits, such as free games and discounts.
However, you may not need a PlayStation Plus subscription if you only play Minecraft occasionally. You can still enjoy the game in single-player mode, and you can also play with other people who are on the same network as you.
You can also play PS3 games on PS5 using PS Plus.
Is Minecraft Free on PS Plus?
No, Minecraft is not free on PS Plus and costs $19.99 on the official PlayStation Store. Though the game’s online multiplayer mode is exclusive to the subscription service, you still need to purchase the Minecraft game on your console before you can play it.
However, there is a free demo version of the game that you can play. The demo lets you explore the game’s world and try some features, but you can’t save your progress.
For How Long Is Minecraft Free?
The Minecraft demo version is free for five in-game days (1 hour and 40 minutes total). After that, you must purchase the full version of the game to continue playing. This free trial is available for both Bedrock and Java versions of the game. You can access this opportunity on Minecraft’s official website.
The demo mode is a way Sony allows users to try the game out before they purchase it. It has certain restrictions, but one can play the game and get a feel.
How Long Can You Play Minecraft on PS Plus?
You can play Minecraft multiplayer indefinitely as long as you have a valid PS Plus subscription. If the PlayStation no longer supports Minecraft, you won’t be able to play it on PS Plus. This can happen if Sony updates its games catalog and removes Minecraft.
However, the probability of this happening any time soon is close to zero, as Minecraft remains one of the most played and popular games worldwide.
Related article: How to check light levels in Minecraft
What Are the Perks of Buying PS Plus?
Buying a PS Plus subscription gives you more than just the ability to play Minecraft multiplayer.
Here are the main perks of buying PS Plus:
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Free Monthly Games.
As a PS Plus member, you can download two games for free every month from a collection of free monthly games curated by PS Plus. -
Exclusive Discounts.
PS Plus members get exclusive discounts on games and add-ons in the PlayStation Store. -
100GB Cloud Storage & Automatic Game Saves.
You can store your game saves on the cloud and continue playing right where you left off from anywhere. -
Share Play.
This feature lets you invite friends to join your game sessions, even if they don’t own the game. -
Early Access to Game Betas & Demos.
PS Plus members frequently get early access to game betas and demos, so you can try out new games before they’re released to the public.
Check out all the PS Plus Features.
Whether or not PS Plus is worth it depends on how much you play online multiplayer games.
If you play many online multiplayer games or specifically want to play Minecraft online, PS Plus is a great way to ensure a fair and fun experience. However, if you don’t play many online multiplayer games, PS Plus may not be worth the cost.
Play Minecraft Your Way, With or Without PS Plus
Whether you need PS Plus to play Minecraft on PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 depends on if you want to play multiplayer. You don’t need a subscription if you just want to play single-player. Otherwise, you need a PlayStation Plus subscription to play with friends.
PS Plus plans include free monthly games, exclusive discounts, online storage, and Share Play.
We recommend you try the free demo version of Minecraft to see if PS Plus is worth it. This will let you try out the game and see if you like it. If you do, you can decide whether or not to purchase a PS Plus subscription.
