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Monthly games and catalog games work differently
PlayStation Plus has two kinds of game access that are easy to confuse. A monthly game is offered for a limited claiming period; adding it to your account library preserves the subscription entitlement. A Game Catalog or Classics Catalog title is available through a rotating library, so its access can end when PlayStation removes it.
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| Access type | What happens when you claim or download it | What happens when it leaves or membership ends |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly game | Claiming adds it to your account library. PlayStation’s support instructions say to choose “Add to Library” and then “Download” on PS4; on PS5, select the monthly game and download it. PlayStation Support | You can play it while your PS Plus membership is active. If the membership expires, the monthly-game entitlement does not provide access until membership is active again. It is not permanent ownership. PlayStation Plus FAQ |
| Game Catalog or Classics Catalog | Downloading installs a game available through an eligible subscription tier; it does not turn the catalog license into an owned copy. | Access through PS Plus ends when the game leaves the catalog or the membership expires. PlayStation says removal end dates are publicized ahead of time. PlayStation Plus FAQ |
In the US plan lineup, Extra includes the Game Catalog, while Premium includes the Game Catalog and Classics Catalog. Plan names, features and game availability vary by territory, so check the local PlayStation Plus page for your account’s region. PlayStation Plus Support
What happens when a game leaves PS Plus?
If you claimed it as a monthly game
The game remains associated with your library, but the PS Plus entitlement requires an active membership to play. PlayStation describes monthly games as titles available to download and play during your membership; it does not describe them as permanent, membership-free purchases. PlayStation Support
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If it was in the Game Catalog or Classics Catalog
Your catalog access ends when the title leaves the service, even if it is still installed on your console. The FAQ says some catalog titles have end dates and that PlayStation will publicize those dates ahead of time. The sources here do not establish a particular upcoming removal, so check the listing for the specific game and region. PlayStation Plus FAQ
If you buy the game separately
If the title is still for sale on PlayStation Store in your region and for your platform, purchasing it provides access independently of its catalog inclusion. This option depends on the game’s current store listing; removal from PS Plus does not guarantee that a purchase option is available. PlayStation.Blog, May 23, 2022
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- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
What happens to DLC and add-ons?
PlayStation says access to DLC or add-ons associated with a catalog game is also lost if the game leaves the service or your membership expires. If you purchased the DLC, PlayStation says you can use it again after resubscribing or buying the game. PlayStation also says DLC and add-ons are not supported when streaming a title. PlayStation Plus FAQ
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A PlayStation.Blog guide published May 23, 2022, says downloaded Extra and Premium catalog games require a PSN connection every seven days to validate membership. The guide explicitly excludes downloadable monthly games from that check. Because this is guidance from 2022, confirm current behavior with PlayStation Support if offline access is essential to your setup. PlayStation.Blog, May 23, 2022
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- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
How to make sure a monthly game is in your library
- While the monthly game is available, sign in to the PlayStation account that has PS Plus. Claim it during its offer period; downloading alone is not a substitute for claiming the monthly benefit.
- On PS4, open the monthly game’s PlayStation Store listing and select “Add to Library,” then “Download.” PlayStation’s support instructions for PS5 say to select the monthly game and download it. PlayStation Support
- Keep the membership active to play it through PS Plus. If access is missing, check that you are signed in to the same account that claimed the title and that the membership is active.
These instructions and tier details are from US PlayStation pages. Catalog lineups and plan naming can differ in other territories; check the PlayStation site for your region when confirming a title’s availability or removal date.
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- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
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- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
