As previously rumored, Sony is officially shuttering its digital games stores associated with the aging PlayStation 3 console, as well as the PlayStation Vita and PlayStation Portable handhelds, preventing people from downloading or purchasing digital content for these devices.
When Are the PS3, PS Vita, and PSP Stores Closing?
The move is now officially confirmed in a support document on Sony’s website.
“We are closing PlayStation Store on PlayStation 3 consoles on July 2, 2021, and on PlayStation Vita devices on August 27, 2021,” reads Sony’s notice.
As for the PlayStation Portable handheld, the remaining purchase functionality will also disappear come July 2. You’re wholeheartedly recommended to grab your DLC and other digital content from these stores before the cut-off date.
Sony has also listed features customers will be able to use after the closure of the stores and purchase functionality across the PS3, PS Vita, and PSP devices.
The Fine Print
Features you will still be able to access:
- Re-downloading and playing previously purchased titles.
- Accessing previously purchased video/media content.
- Redeeming game and PlayStation Plus vouchers.
- Re-downloading and playing claimed game titles through PlayStation Plus as long as you remain a member of the service.
Features you will lose access to:
- Buying PS3, PS Vita, and PSP games, video, and other content.
- Making in-game purchases on your PS3, PS Vita, and PSP.
- Redeeming PSN wallet fund vouchers like gift cards on PS3, PS Vita or PSP devices once PlayStation Store and purchase functionality for these devices close.
Don’t worry, any wallet funds you have in your PSN account will safely remain in there.
Sony has confirmed that you’ll only be able to use those funds to purchase PS4 and PS5 products in the PlayStation Store on the web and the official PlayStation app on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles.
The Writing Has Been on the Wall
This isn’t entirely unexpected.
After all, Sony is now focusing on the PlayStation 5 and upcoming virtual reality hardware refreshes. While many people still use the PlayStation 4, we saw an entire gaming generation switching over to newer hardware.
For some context, the popular PSP handheld made its debut back in 2005. That was over 15 years ago, back at a time when smartphone gaming wasn’t eating PSP’s lunch. The PlayStation 3 came along in 2006 and the Vita handheld arrived in 2011.
Given the age of the three consoles, it comes as no surprise Sony has announced that their respective stores will be shutting down, with support officially ending later in the year.