Sony Interactive Entertainment is sending out emails to PlayStation Network users, inviting them to try video games before purchasing them. Called “Game Trials,” the scheme has been kicked off with Death Stranding: Director’s Cut and Sackboy: A Big Adventure.
I received the email sometime yesterday (note: I have a UK account), which contains a lot of fine print.
Death Stranding: Director’s Cut trial lasts six hours “from the time you click ‘Download Trial’ via console or ‘Add to Library’ via web.” This is going to be an issue if your downloads start crawling, for some reason, and/or your internet speed just plain stinks when it comes to downloads. The email makes it clear that you only get “one trial account per account per game.”
The trial period for Sackboy: A Big Adventure lasts five hours, and it’s only available on the PlayStation 5.
Trials for both games will be available until October 28th, 11:59 pm.
“Ever wanted to try some of the most-popular games from PlayStation Studios before committing to the full game?” reads the email. “Well now you can! Head over to PlayStation Store and download your chosen Game Trial. Once you hit download you’ll get a limited amount of time to play the game, whether you play or not. Once the time is up you’ll need to purchase the full-price game if you want to keep playing.”
It remains to be seen if Sony will adjust the trial time counter. It makes more sense to kick it off the first time players boot up a game.
If you received the aforementioned email and aren’t from the UK, leave a comment below along with your region.
