PS Plus August 2026 has its first confirmed free game, and it is one of the most anticipated indie releases of the summer. Sony confirmed during February’s PlayStation State of Play that Big Walk, the co-operative multiplayer adventure from House House, the studio behind the beloved Untitled Goose Game, will be available to all PS Plus Essential subscribers as a monthly free game. The game received an August release date shortly after that announcement, and PlayStation LifeStyle confirmed on July 27, 2026 that subscribers can claim Big Walk beginning Tuesday, August 4. The full August Essential lineup, which will include additional titles beyond Big Walk, is expected to be officially revealed by Sony this Wednesday, July 29.
What Is Big Walk
Big Walk is a cooperative multiplayer adventure developed by House House, the Melbourne-based studio that became one of the most celebrated indie developers of the last decade with 2019’s Untitled Goose Game. Where Untitled Goose Game was largely a solo stealth-comedy experience built around causing havoc as a goose, Big Walk takes the studio in a distinctly different direction: a team-based puzzle-adventure that puts voice communication and collaborative problem-solving at the center of the experience.
The official description from House House frames the game’s core identity directly: “Set out with your friends through a wide-open world full of challenges, puzzles, and discoveries. You’ll need to work together to find your way around, stay in contact using an assortment of tools and toys, and figure out new ways to communicate when you suddenly find yourself speechless.” That final clause, about finding new ways to communicate when you become speechless, hints at gameplay mechanics that remove or complicate traditional communication mid-session, a design conceit that makes crossplay voice functionality a particularly important consideration.
Does Big Walk Support Crossplay
Crossplay is fully supported in Big Walk, allowing players on different platforms to share sessions regardless of which device they are on. Big Walk supports crossplay, allowing play with friends regardless of their platform, opening the door for more chaotic adventures. Big Walk utilizes a code-generating system for accessing multiplayer alongside the option to use the friends list on specific platforms, enabling invitations and session joining across any supported platform. PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2 players can all play together in the same session.
One important note for Switch 2 players specifically: voice communication is vital in Big Walk, and chat features are more limited on Nintendo Switch 2 than on PS5 or PC. Switch 2 players who want full voice communication functionality during cross-platform sessions will likely need to use Discord or a comparable third-party voice solution rather than relying on the platform’s native chat tools.
Does Big Walk Support Cross-Progression
Cross-progression is not supported in Big Walk, and this is a significant detail for players who anticipate switching platforms or sharing a session with players on different devices. Progress cannot be transferred from one platform to another, and there is an additional restriction that shapes how multiplayer sessions must be structured.
Only the host’s progress is saved in a Big Walk co-op session. Joining players do not retain progress if they are not hosting, meaning that the same player should ideally serve as host across every session if the group wants to maintain consistent advancement. If a different player needs to take over as host, the entire session’s progress resets to the beginning. The game is designed around longer multiplayer sessions rather than drop-in gameplay, and the recommended approach is to maintain the same host throughout the entire playthrough.
This is a meaningful design decision that PS Plus subscribers picking up the game as a free monthly title should understand before their first session, particularly if they plan to play with friends on different platforms.
Why Big Walk as a Day-One PS Plus Title Matters
The confirmation that Big Walk will be available to PS Plus Essential subscribers on its launch day rather than arriving later as a discounted or legacy addition is notable. Day-one PS Plus inclusions have been part of Sony’s strategy for select titles, but they remain less common for fully priced releases. Big Walk launching simultaneously on PS Plus and at retail on August 4 means every Essential subscriber has access to a brand-new release from one of indie gaming’s most acclaimed studios at no additional cost on the day it launches.
Big Walk is launching on PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, giving it one of the widest release footprints of any House House title. Its inclusion in PS Plus Essential on day one means Sony is treating it as a marquee indie addition to the service rather than a delayed sweetener, which is the kind of positioning that encourages subscribers who might otherwise wait for a sale to try the game immediately.
When Will the Full PS Plus August 2026 Lineup Be Announced
Sony is expected to reveal the full PS Plus August 2026 Essential lineup on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. The full lineup will include additional free games beyond Big Walk, and PS Plus Extra and Premium tier subscribers can also expect announcements regarding new games catalog additions for August. The standard announcement cadence places the August games going live on the first Tuesday of August, which is August 4, aligning with Big Walk’s own release date.
Essential games, once claimed, are yours to keep as long as your PS Plus subscription remains active. Subscribers should make sure to log in and claim Big Walk during August to add it to their library.
Latest Updates
PlayStation LifeStyle confirmed on July 27, 2026 that Big Walk will be available to all PS Plus subscribers on August 4, 2026, citing the February PlayStation State of Play announcement in which Sony confirmed the day-one PS Plus inclusion. Push Square confirmed Big Walk as the first PS Plus Essential game for August 2026 already confirmed, noting the State of Play announcement and the August release window. Insider Gaming published crossplay and cross-progression details for Big Walk on July 21, 2026, confirming full crossplay support across PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2, the code-based multiplayer session system, the absence of cross-progression, and the host-only progress saving structure.
Sources: Push Square | Insider Gaming | PlayStation LifeStyle
Broader Implications
Big Walk’s day-one PS Plus Essential inclusion reflects a broader trend of Sony using indie titles from established studios as marquee monthly free game additions, giving PS Plus subscribers access to new releases from acclaimed developers without requiring an additional purchase. House House’s pedigree from Untitled Goose Game gives Big Walk a cultural profile that exceeds what most same-size studios would command, making it a stronger subscriber retention and acquisition tool for the service than a comparable game from a less recognized developer. The full August lineup, expected Wednesday, will determine whether Big Walk anchors a strong month or sits alongside other notable additions. For more PlayStation and gaming coverage, visit thetechmarketer.com.
3. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What is the first confirmed PS Plus August 2026 free game?
Big Walk, the cooperative multiplayer adventure from House House, the studio behind Untitled Goose Game, is the first confirmed PS Plus Essential free game for August 2026. It will be available to all PS Plus subscribers on its launch day, Tuesday, August 4, 2026, in all regions simultaneously.
- What is Big Walk and who made it?
Big Walk is a co-operative multiplayer puzzle-adventure developed by House House, the Melbourne-based studio behind 2019’s Untitled Goose Game. The game tasks players with exploring a wide-open world together, solving challenges, and communicating using an assortment of in-game tools. Voice communication is described as a vital component of the experience.
- Does Big Walk support crossplay between PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2?
Yes. Big Walk fully supports crossplay, allowing PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2 players to share sessions together. The game uses a code-generating system for multiplayer access alongside platform friends list integration. Switch 2 players should note that native voice chat is more limited on that platform and may need to use Discord for full communication functionality.
- Does Big Walk support cross-progression?
No. Big Walk does not support cross-progression, and progress cannot be transferred between platforms. Additionally, only the host’s progress is saved in a co-op session, meaning joining players do not retain progress unless they are hosting. The game recommends maintaining the same host throughout an entire playthrough to avoid losing session progress.
- When will the full PS Plus August 2026 lineup be announced?
Sony is expected to announce the full PS Plus Essential August 2026 lineup on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. The games, including Big Walk and additional titles, will go live on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Essential games must be claimed while your subscription is active to be added to your library.
4. SOURCES AND REFERENCES
- Push Square: First PS Plus Essential Game for August 2026 Already Confirmed
- Insider Gaming: Does Big Walk Support Crossplay & Cross-Progression?
- PlayStation LifeStyle: PlayStation Plus August 2026 Free Game Revealed Early
