John-ShepardNot long after giving us the Ultimate FAQ for PlayStation Move, Sony decided to provide current and would-be Plus consumers with their own FAQ.
Recently posted over at the PlayStation Blog , all the basics are covered, including cost, service details, and relative perks. But perhaps one of the most important aspects of the rundown is the part concerning exclusive betas: as some of you know, one of the biggest reasons to become a Plus member is the onset of Plus-exclusive beta tests for certain games. That remains true – and in fact, they confirm that two such tests are on the way – but there's a bit more complexity beneath the surface. Here's some explanation by PSN Marketing Manager Lex Scheuble:
"Many game betas are done to test certain parts of a game or certain functionality (like previous game add-on integration) so that when the final version of the game launches, it’s the best it can be. Oftentimes, betas are extremely limited as well. We need to ensure that members of Plus meet that individual beta’s requirement to be issued an exclusive invite."
And it goes one step further- being a Plus member doesn't automatically guarantee you a slot in those exclusive betas. As Scheuble says, these tests "have limited invites" and specific qualification criteria, due to what the developer wishes the beta participants to test. Currently, Sony is "working with game developers to make qualified PlayStation Plus members the first to gain access."
Unfortunately, there's no real way of knowing if you're qualified as it's "different for every game" but we're told to expect details soon. So, when you hear news about Plus-exclusive betas you wish to try, remember to see if you fulfill the other criteria as well.
