After reports last week suggested Sony would shutdown the PS Store for some of its older platforms, the company has today confirmed the news, albeit quietly by way of an FAQ page update.
"We are closing PlayStation™Store on PlayStation®3 consoles on 2nd July 2021 and on PlayStation®Vita devices on 27th August 2021," reads the text on the company's website. "Additionally, the remaining purchase functionality for PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) will also retire on 2nd July 2021."
The news comes as a blow to the game preservation community, as the removal of these features inevitably means some games just sort of vanish into the ether if not properly salvaged by enthusiasts who hope to keep intact the world's history of video games. For such enthusiasts and their cheerers-on, there remains a sliver of hope, anyway.
Features you will still be able to access, according to the team:
- You will still be able to re-download and play previously purchased game titles.
- You will still be able to access previously purchased video/media content.
- You will still be able to redeem game and PlayStation®Plus vouchers.
- You will still be able to re-download and play claimed game titles through PlayStation®Plus as long as you remain a member of the service.
That last one does seem to imply your access to some games relies upon your PS Plus subscription never lapsing, which would be a bit of a hassle if true, but at least players can still access owned content even after the shutdown.
What they'll lose is as follows:
- You will no longer be able to purchase PS3, PS Vita and PSP digital content, including games and video content.
- You will no longer be able to make in-game purchases through games on PS3, PS Vita and PSP.
- You will no longer be able to redeem PSN wallet fund vouchers (e.g. gift cards) on PS3, PS Vita or PSP devices once PlayStation™Store and purchase functionality for these devices close. Your PSN wallet funds will remain in your PSN account, but you will only be able to use your wallet funds to purchase PS4 and PS5 products on PlayStation™Store on the web, PlayStation®App or on PS4 and PS5 consoles.
Sony added that remaining funds in your PS Store wallet will only be compatible with PS4 and PS5, even if you don't own or play on those platforms. If you're interested in preserving any digital-only games on those platforms, you've still got a few months to do so.
