PSN Play is Sony’s Answer to The Summer of Arcade

Sony has unveiled a brand-new annual program that, frankly, sounds pretty familiar. They’re calling it PSN PLAY. Sony plans on releasing four of the season’s best PlayStation Network action games, with the incentive of a fifth game that’ll be free to those that have purchased the first four, if you’re over 18. Every purchase of a PLAY title will result in a separate and free piece of DLC for each game. Also, if you pre-order any of the titles, which will be available starting August 9th, you’ll be given free themes for your XMB. PlayStation Plus subscribers will automatically get 20% off every purchase.

Here is the line-up:

Street Fighter III Third Strike Online Edition — $14.99

(Pre-Order Through: August 18th, Release Date: August 23rd)

The PLAY program kicks off with Capcom’s popular fighting franchise, remastered with HD graphics and online play. The title features 20 playable characters and over 200 pieces of unlockable content. If purchased during the PLAY promotion, GILL will be unlocked as a playable character right off the bat, rather than unlocking the self-proclaimed god after beating the game with every single character. All pre-orders will receive a Capcom-produced theme.

The Baconing — $14.99

(Pre-Order Through: August 25th, Release Date: August 30th)

Hothead Studios is back with the third installment of the popular DeathSpank series. The action-RPG pits the protagonist against the AntiSpank and his army of Cyborques as they attempt to cast an evil shadow over Spanktopia. Explore unique locations, with over 100 new quests, new puzzles, and boss fights. If you purchase the title during the PLAY promotion, you receive an additional co-op character, Roesha. All pre-orders will also receive a static theme, exclusive to PLAY.

BloodRayne: Betrayal — $14.99

(Pre-Order Through: September 1st, Release Date: September 6th)

Rayne, the titular protagonist, attempts to infiltrate a treacherous castle to stop an evil vampire massacre in this 2D side-scrolling platformer. If purchased through the PLAY promotion, you will receive BloodRayne: Betrayal virtual items for your PlayStation Home avatar as well as an exclusive dynamic theme. Additionally, pre-orders receive a static theme exclusive to PLAY.

Renegade Ops — $14.99

(Pre-Order Through: September 8th, Release Date: September 13th)

This top-down, driving shooter from SEGA features sandbox-style missions, a huge variety of vehicles and guns, and countless enemies. When purchased through the PLAY promotion, a Vehicle & Character Pack with two new vehicles and special weapons will be included for free. All pre-orders will also be given a static theme, exclusive to PLAY.

BONUS GIFT

PAYDAY: The Heist

Sony Online Entertainment presents a gritty, first-person shooter that lets players take on the role of a criminal that’s constantly on the hunt for the next “big score.” A voucher code for PAYDAY: The Heist will be given to PSN users 18 years and older that purchased all four PLAY titles, when the game is released. The game can also be pre-ordered separately starting on September 20th, and all pre-orders will receive a static theme, free of charge. PAYDAY: The Heist will be $19.99.