Sony's PlayStation Play At Home initiative returned in 2021, offering a series of free games and in-game content to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 owners. The program, designed to provide entertainment during the pandemic, spanned several months and included both permanent game downloads and temporary in-game perks. The initiative was structured in multiple phases, with different offers becoming available at staggered intervals.
The first phase of the 2021 Play At Home initiative began in March. A primary offer was the availability of Ratchet & Clank (2016) as a free download. This offer was available to all PlayStation users, regardless of PlayStation Plus subscription status. The download was redeemable via the PlayStation Store and, once claimed, remained in the user's library permanently. The deadline to claim Ratchet & Clank was March 31.
Starting on March 25, Sony expanded the free game lineup significantly. A collection of nine additional titles became available to claim until April 22. These games included Abzu, Astro Bot Rescue Mission, Enter the Gungeon, Moss, Paper Beast, Subnautica, Rez Infinite, The Witness, and Thumper. Unlike the Ratchet & Clank offer, these titles were available for a limited window to claim, though they also remained permanently once added to a library.
In addition to game downloads, the initiative included entertainment partnerships. On March 25, Sony offered new users of the streaming services Funimation and Wakanim an extended free trial. New Funimation subscribers were eligible for an additional 90 days on top of the standard two-week trial, while new Wakanim users received their first 90 days free.
A major addition to the Play At Home lineup was the offer for Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition. This title became available to claim on April 19, with the offer ending on May 14. The inclusion of this specific title was noted as significant because it is not part of the PS Plus Collection available on PS5, providing access to users who had not previously experienced the game.
The final phase of the 2021 initiative focused on in-game content and virtual currency rather than full game downloads. This phase began on May 17 and ran through June 6. During this period, users could redeem free content for several popular multiplayer and live-service games. The specific content offered varied by title:
- Rocket League: Users received the PlayStation Plus Pack, which included four customization items: Blue Notch Wheels, Blue Smoke Boost, Blue Rocks Trail, and the Trimpact BL Player Banner.
- Brawlhalla: The Play at Home Pack included the Rayman Legend Unlock, Sir Rayelot Skin with Axe and Gauntlet Weapon Skins, Shrug Emote, and Grimm Sidekick.
- Destruction AllStars: Users received 1100 Destruction Points.
- MLB The Show 21: The offer included 10 The Show Packs.
- NBA 2K21: The Play at Home Pack included MyTEAM Series 2 Amethyst Damian Lillard, 5,000 MyTEAM Points, and additional items.
- Rogue Company: The Play at Home Pack included the Kyoto Undercover Ronin Outfit and 200 Rogue Bucks.
- World of Tanks/World of Warships: Users received the Twice the Courage Pack for World of Tanks: Modern Armor.
- Warframe: Content was confirmed as part of the lineup, though specific item details were not fully detailed in all source materials.
- Call of Duty: Warzone: Content was confirmed as part of the lineup, with availability starting on May 20, a few days after the other offers. Specific items were not detailed in the provided materials.
While the 2021 initiative focused on recent titles, historical context provided in the source materials references a "Welcome Back" program for PlayStation Home users. This program offered an "enormous package" of free items, including 100 pieces of clothing and furniture, two free spaces (The Dragon’s Lair and the Mansion Garage), and a free multiplayer game titled Ooblag’s Alien Casino. This specific program was described as an apology for service downtime and appears distinct from the 2021 Play At Home initiative discussed in the primary sources.
Conclusion
The PlayStation Play At Home 2021 initiative provided a multi-tiered series of free offers to the PlayStation community. The program began with permanent downloads of Ratchet & Clank and expanded to include a collection of nine other acclaimed titles. It further offered an extended trial for Funimation and Wakanim, and a free copy of Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition. The initiative concluded with a distribution of in-game currency and items for ten major multiplayer games, including Rocket League, Call of Duty: Warzone, and NBA 2K21. These offers were available to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 owners in the U.S. and other eligible regions, with specific claim windows ranging from March through June 2021.