Sony’s ‘Cross Buy’ initiative revealed: Buy a PS3 game, get the PS Vita version for free

Sony announced today their new Cross Buy initiative which gives anybody who buys the PS3 version of game, that is also available for the PS Vita, a free copy of the Vita version.

The first game to be available with this promotion is SuperBot Entertainment's new mascot fighter PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale. Available for PS3 and PS Vita, you can get a free copy of the Vita version when buying the PS3 version.

Other games which will support Cross Buy are Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time and Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault. That, of course, also means that Ratchet & Clank will be coming to the Vita. Buying either one of these titles on the PS3 will get you a free copy of the Vita version. Simple enough right?

Speaking at Gamescom, SCEE President and CEO Jim Ryan added, "It's no longer what you play, but where you play."

That means Sony's Cross-Play and Cross-Buy initiatives are here to stay. Following the announcement, Sony told fans to "expect more games using these features."

While I'm not sure how it will work out economically for Sony, from a consumer standpoint this is a great deal! The fact that players can get a free version that allows them to take their gameplay on-the-go should encourage more gamers to opt for the PS3.