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PlayStation Plus Rate Hikes Hit Some Territories
Yesterday, readers alerted us to unexpected rate hikes in PlayStation Plus. According to a tip we received, users were given a day’s warning of impending, significant increases.
The email sent to South African users indicates a price increase from R145 ($12.86) to R219 ($19.43) for a three-month subscription, a 51 percent jump. A year of PlayStation Plus access sees an increase from R489 ($43.38) to R749 ($66.45), a 53 percent leap.
Click to enlarge.
Similar price hikes have hit Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey. Sony Computer Entertainment America told us that no price adjustments are planned for North America at this time.
Thanks to reader Lynley James for the tip.
Our Take
Sony’s email to users cites “market conditions” for the adjustment, but hasn’t addressed the short notice given to users. 50 percent price hikes aren’t insignificant (though Sony’s notification email alerted users that “your PlayStation Plus subscription is due to increase slightly.”
Service pricing increases over time, but rarely to this degree. This is a case of bad communication and a heavy hammer dropping with almost no notice.
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