The Covid-19 pandemic has been going on for about a year now, and the last 12 months have been a trying time for everyone. Several months of quarantine had people trapped in their homes, other than trips to the grocery store, and at the beginning no one expected it would go on for this long. Thankfully, things seem to be looking up with increasing availability of vaccines, but it’s still important for everyone to stay safe and social distance whenever possible.
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Fans were pleasantly surprised with the new Play at Home Initiative, kicked off on March 1 and it looks a little different this time around. Sony has officially announced that it will last through June, with each month offering a different title to gamers free of charge. In addition to the free game, Sony has partnered with entertainment and streaming services to offer PlayStation owners something other than just video games.
What’s Included in the March Play at Home Initiative
For the month of March, Sony is offering Insomniac’s 2016 titleRatchet and Clank. This adventurous planet-hopping duo has been part of PlayStation’s history since 2002, during the PlayStation 2 generation, and have starred in a total of 12 titles including the upcomingRatchet and Clank: Rift Apartrelease on PS5. In addition to their successful lineup of games, Ratchet and Clank have been featured in several spin-offs, an animated film, and comic books.
The 2016Ratchet and Clankgame is a remake of the original origin story, making it a great introduction to the franchise for players who haven’t experienced their previous shenanigans. There’s also a rather obvious reason behind Sony’s decision to includeRatchet and Clankin the Play at Home Initiative:Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart,is launching exclusively for PS5 on June 11. Offering a previous game for free is a great way to get players excited for the franchise’s next installment.
PlayStation owners from Germany and China were disappointed with the original Play at Home Initiative, which allowed access toKnack 2instead ofUncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection.This time around, everyone will have access toRatchet and Clankwith no substitutions.
Sony Adds Funimation to the Play at Home Initiative For March
In addition toRatchet and Clank, and instead of offering a second free game, Sony is adding an extended free trial forFunimation, a Sony-owned anime streaming service. A typical free trial for Funimation is only 14 days, but with the PlayStation initiative, most fans can access Funimation’s content for an additional 90 days.
For gamers in Europe, Wakanim (the European version of Funimation) is available. Instead of having access to the 14-day trial plus the additional 90 days, however, Wakanim users will only have the 90-day access. Both services are free to use with ads, but Sony is offering an extended ad-free experience for theFunimation website and app.
Funimation includes popular anime titleslikeAttack on Titan, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood,andDragonball Z.The streaming service is also known for its exclusive content and high-quality dubs that translate Japanese anime into English. Fans who don’t like dubbed content can always opt for subbed versions of their favorite animes as well.
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What’s Next For the Play at Home Initiative?
Sony hasn’t made any official announcements about what other free games and entertainment services will be offered between now and June, but April’s lineup should be revealed in the coming weeks. Sony has promised more free games and more entertainment opportunities, so fans can assume that the one game, one entertainment format may stay the same.
Because the initiative is formed around helping people stay safe during the pandemic, some multiplayer options would be great additions. The initiative shouldn’t include any PS5 exclusives unless they’re offered in addition to another game. That would prevent anyone whohasn’t been able to find a PS5or isn’t ready to upgrade to next-gen from taking advantage of the offer.
The entertainment service aspect of the Play at Home Initiative also has a lot of opportunities. With the first month being an anime service, it would make sense to continue offering access to some niche streaming services that aren’t as common. Something like Shudder, which specializes in content for horror-lovers, or Acorn TV, which features a wide range of British television, would be great additions for future months.
ThePlayStation Play at Home Initiativewill only run through the end of June, and Sony is unlikely to repeat the event as the pandemic continues to get better. Fans should definitely ensure to check out all the free content that is available now and in the coming months to take full advantage of what Sony has to offer.
Ratchet and Clankand extended access to Funimation/Wakanim are available now for all PlayStation owners.
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