Sony took a page from the Microsoft Xbox "Summer of Arcade" and launched PlayStation Network Play, a way to entice PS3 owners to download games with free bonus DLC goodies.
Over a period of four weeks, the new annual Play program will offer users the opportunity to buy four $14.99 games: Street Fighter III Third Strike Online Edition, The Baconing, BloodRayne: Betrayal, and Rendegade Ops. If they buy all four, users an receive a code for a bonus gift, Payday: The Heist, which would otherwise cost $19.99 as a standalone game.
Play kicks off on Aug. 23, and runs through Sept. 13; preorders start Aug. 9. Sony said that Plus members will receive an additional automatic 20 percent discount.
Since Microsoft has offered a "Summer of Arcade" downloadable summer special on four separate occasions, it's difficult to see the core Play concept as something other than a direct copy of Microsoft's own offering. Microsoft's "Summer Fun Pack" offers users a free code for "Crimson Alliance" if users buy all four games on offer. (If you click the "Xbox Live Summer of Arcade" icon on the Microsoft Summer of Arcade page, you'll see video demonstrations of all the games, alongside summer scenes that look a lot more fun than sitting indoors, playing games.)
Where the PSN Play offer differs, however, is that buying the downloaded games also allows the user to download one preset piece of downloadable content, as well as a theme.
Here's the list of the DLC, according to Sony:
When Street Fighter III Third Strike Online Edition is purchased during the PLAY promotion, purchasers will be able to unlock GILL, the self-proclaimed god, without having to beat the game with every character, as day-one DLC. All pre-orders will also receive a Capcom-produced theme.
When The Baconing is purchased during the PLAY promotion, purchasers will receive an additional co-op character, Roesha – One Bad Mutha. All pre-orders will also receive a static theme, exclusive to PLAY.
When BloodRayne: Betrayal is purchased during the PLAY promotion, purchasers will receive a BloodRayne: Betrayal virtual item for their PlayStation Home avatar and an exclusive dynamic theme.
When Renegade Ops is purchased through PLAY, purchasers will receive a Vehicle & Character Pack with two new vehicles and special weapons. All pre-orders will also receive a static theme, exclusive to PLAY.