"permanent" access for as long as you are a psn+ member.  if you cancel your subscription you will lose your access.  if you resubscribe you will regain your access to all of those older games.  As i've been a member since day 1 I have a lot of games on my ps3 ... probably over a hundred.  i've almost exhausted my 500 Gbs with all the game psn+ has given me.

Once you've 'purchased' them once, they're available again any time so long as you're still a member of PS+.

If you unsubscribe to PS+, you lose access to them for free (although you can still access them, you just have to buy them).  If you don't 'purchase' them during the months they're available, you won't be able to access them unless they come up on the service again.

So basically, if you become a member it's a good idea just to 'purchase' everything that's available to add it to your download list, that way you can still access them if they get removed from PS+.  At least, that's my understanding of it.

It was a damn good idea. A shame they didn't think of it sooner. It's a great selling point for people who are getting a brand new console.

If it were me, I'd have advertisements up during the holidays talking about all the free games PS+ members get, as well as the impressive discounts. If you're someone who isn't going to be able to buy many games, then it's a good deal.

I hope it continues into next generation, though it would be a lot harder with a recently launched console.

it seems Crysis 2 will be one of the free games SCEE PSN+ will be getting

come on SCEA..bring something interesting!

Microsoft hasn't released Gold subs either. They must be low right!?

The fact that you need it for MP and with 360s emphasis on online proves thats simply not the case. Nice try.  Gold accounts are in constant fluctuation with people adding it, expiring for others without renewing, or even just buying a 3 month Gold card just for a certain one game they gotta play online

PSN + is designed to "trap" you in keeping the service due to the "free" games that you only keep by staying. Live has been around since 2002....PSN Plus has been around for far less. It would make sense to give a progress report. apples and oranges.

I do remember micro saying they had around 20-30 thousand gold accounts a few months back. Of course it has more subscribers due to the nature of the program. If you own an xbox 360 you need to buy gold in order to fully experience the console. With + however it is considered optional because all PSN members get the same content but + just gets it cheaper, sooner, and sometimes for free.

the cool thing about PS+ when you think about it a person who bought their PS3 in 2010 with a $50 subscription might have a collection that equals one who has had a PS3 since the start!!! it's amazing the amount of content that the Sony has given out!!!

No need for a progress report. Just a number. "This number of Xbox Live Gold subscribers"

Playstation Plus is in no way designed to trap you. It is COMPLETELY OPTIONAL. The free games are only a bonus and chances are you beat these games very quickly and just forget about them. There is really no need to renew your subscription unless you want to keep receiving more free games.(most people will)

Xbox Live however IS designed to "trap" the consumer. You NEED Gold to play ANY GAME online or even to use your current Netflix or Hulu subscription. Subscription after subscription. And now they're even adding a contract with a monthly fee....I wonder if people will ever get tired of this.

If the masses were informed about what Playstation Plus offers versus what Xbox Live offers, they would choose PS+. Even if there was no PS+, most would still choose PSN over XBL. Why don't they? Peer pressure. Your friend has an Xbox so you want one too. That's what it comes down to. Playstation Plus could offer you each PS3 game ever relased for free and it would still have less subscriptions than Xbox Live Gold.

Why bring Live's discussion here? Don't turn it into another meaningless discussion which is better since no one is going to accept the other's view.

@OP, I am happy that Sony is treating the gamers and have less arrogance now.