PSN Gets its Own Summer of Arcade-Style Program, PLAY

It's long been said that PlayStation Network games don't get the same sort of attention that Xbox Live Arcade games do, regardless of how good they are. Microsoft's Summer of Arcade promotion, going on now for the fourth year running, does a great job of heaping a tremendous amount of attention upon a select number of games -- it's no coincidence that last year's fivesome were among the top 15 best-selling Arcade games for 2010.

So the question has been raised more than once why Sony hasn't implemented something like it. At long last, it's announced a very similar program to Summer of Arcade that kicks off later this month called PlayStation Network PLAY. Besides its annoying capitalization, this is planned as an annual event, and like this year's Summer of Arcade, it's offering a bonus game to those who pick up all four participating games.

Each PLAY game purchased while the program is running will come with a free piece of downloadable content and, if you pre-order at least five days before release, an XMB theme. If you buy all four (and are 18 or older), you'll get a free copy of Payday: The Heist, which is planned for release on September 20 for $19.99. As an added bonus for PlayStation Plus members, each PLAY game can be purchased at 20% off.

Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike Online Edition is the first of the bunch on August 23 for $14.99. Its complimentary DLC unlocks Gill, sparing you the time and effort it would take to unlock him by beating the game with every character.

The Baconing, the latest DeathSpank game, follows on August 30, also for $14.99. Its DLC unlocks Roesha as a co-op character.

BloodRayne: Betrayal is next, on September 6, for -- you guessed it -- $14.99. Purchases come with a PlayStation Home avatar and an exclusive dynamic theme (which is separate from the static theme you get for pre-ordering by September 1).

And finally there is Renegade Ops on September 13, another $14.99 game. Its free DLC is the Vehicle and Character pack that includes two additional vehicles and special weapons.

Those who are interested in the extra PSN themes can start placing their pre-orders on August 9. In order to get Payday for free on September 20, you need to buy all four PLAY games by September 19.

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