Sony launches PSN Play program

As Microsoft's Summer of Arcade downloadable game promotion winds down later this month, Sony's own PlayStation Network push will just be getting started. Sony today detailed the PlayStation Network Play program, a series of four anticipated PSN releases with perks for preorders and PlayStation Plus members.

The inaugural PSN Play lineup consists of Street Fighter III Third Strike Online Edition, The Baconing, BloodRayne: Betrayal, and Renegade Ops and will be released in consecutive weeks beginning August 23. Those who purchase all four of those games on the PSN by September 19 will be eligible to download a fifth game, Payday: The Heist, for free when it launches . Payday: The Heist will cost $20 (preorders begin September 20), while the remainder of the PSN Play titles will sell for $15.

A free game isn't the only perk of PSN Play. Sony is opening up preorders for the four main titles on August 9, with those who reserve the titles in advance being given free PlayStation 3 themes, as well as an extra bonus specific to the game in question. For example, those who preorder Street Fighter III will be able to add the game's boss Gill to the playable roster without needing to beat the game with every character. However, the window to preorder each game will close five days before the game's launch.

Finally, PSN Play will have a perk for PlayStation Plus subscribers. Active members of Sony's premium plan will automatically receive 20 percent off each game purchased from the PSN Play program. The full list of PSN Play games, with release dates, preorder cutoffs, and their unique bonuses, is below:

Street Fighter III Third Strike Online Edition
August 23 in North America, August 24 in Europe
Preorder cutoff: August 18
Price: $15 in North America, €15 in Europe
Bonus: Downloadable unlock for the boss character Gill

The Baconing
August 30 in North America, August 31 in Europe
Preorder cutoff: August 25
Price: $15 in North America, €13 in Europe
Bonus: New cooperative mode character Roesha

BloodRayne: Betrayal
September 6 in North America, September 7 in Europe
Preorder cutoff: September 1
Price: $15 in North America, €13 in Europe
Bonus: BloodRayne-themed item for PlayStation Home and an exclusive dynamic theme

Renegade Ops
September 13 in North America, September 14 in Europe
Preorder cutoff: September 8
Price: $15 in North America, €13 in Europe
Bonus: A downloadable content pack with two new vehicles and extra weapons