PlayStation 3, Vita, and PSP Store Changes

[BLUEVOODU]

This just arrived in the mailbox... nails in the coffins:

We are closing PlayStation™Store on PlayStation®3 on July 2nd, 2021 and on PlayStation®Vita devices on August 27th 2021. Additionally, the remaining purchase functionality for PSP™ (PlayStation®Portable) will also retire on July 2nd, 2021.  After thoughtful consideration, we decided to make these changes in an effort to focus our resources for PlayStation Store on PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®5, which will enable us to enhance the customer experience even further. We thank you for your support on these platforms throughout the years.

What does this mean for you?
You will no longer be able to purchase PS3, PS Vita and PSP digital content, including games and video content.

You will also no longer be able to make in-game purchases through games on PS3, PS Vita and PSP.

While the PSP storefront was previously closed in 2016, the remaining PSP purchase functionality (e.g. in-game purchases) will now be fully retired.

What about content you already own?
• You will still be able to download your owned PS3, PS Vita, and PSP content, including games and video content.
• You can download your owned content onto your PS3, PS Vita, or PSP by accessing the Download List on the respective device.
• If you have purchased a PS3/PS Vita cross-buy bundle and have only downloaded either the PS3 or PS Vita version, you will need to download the other version prior to the closure of PlayStation™Store on the relevant device.
• Video content that you own can be streamed on PS3, PS4 or PS5 through the My Videos app, or on mobile devices through the PlayStation™Video app.
• You will still be able to re-download and play game titles you have claimed through PlayStation®Plus as long as you remain a member of the service.

What about vouchers, wallet funds, and cross-buy content?
• You will still be able to redeem game and PlayStation®Plus vouchers on PS3, PS Vita, and PSP devices once PlayStation™Store and purchase functionality for these devices close.
• You will no longer be able to redeem PSN wallet fund vouchers (e.g. gift cards) on PS3, PS Vita, and 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.
• You will still be able to purchase cross-buy content through PlayStation™Store on the web, PlayStation®App, or on PS4 and PS5 consoles and access both the PS4 version and the PS3/PS Vita/PSP versions.

Where can you find out more?
Read our FAQ for more information: https://www.playstation.com/support/important-notice/      
               
   
PS Vita messaging service
As of June 28th, 2021*, users on PlayStation Vita will no longer be able to use the messaging service. Although messaging on PS Vita is going away, your messages will still be available to you by using the messaging service on PS5 consoles, PS4 consoles, and via mobile on PS App.

*Termination will start on June 28th, 2021, actual date of the termination may differ by region.

Thoughts, comments?  Post it up!

[Grindspine]

I guess I gotta load up my PS3 hard drive while I can!

[BLUEVOODU]

Yeah... it's interesting... the last PS4 game offerings also had a limited time to download (it appeared).   There was a message on the system to make sure to get them before the end of the month.

[Grindspine]

I spent some time browsing the Playstation store last night.  Renee wants a lot of Sonic games.  She forgets that I bought the Sonic Collection on PS2 and on Steam, neither of which she ever plays.  I also bought a Genesis mini, which sees too little play time.

I am tempted to get Castlevania: Lament of Innocence in hopes that it looks better on the PS3 in wide screen than on the PS2.

[CreepinDeth]

They reversed this and are not shutting the stores down any time soon. Which is good because...

...this revealed a flaw in the PS3. When the stores do inevitably go away, if your PS3 CMOS battery dies (and it will), then you can no longer play your games, even physical copies. On PS4, only digital games are affected.

The trophy system is dependent on these servers, so if they go away, then your console becomes a paperweight. Huge oversight on Sony's part.

[BLUEVOODU]

@CreepinDeth -- I'm a little late on this.  I Didn't see they reversed it. Where did you see this?  MAN... I'm happy they did reverse it. That's pretty crazy.

Holy crap... that is a huge oversight.  That's not cool either.    There's another topic here about Achievements you can no longer get due to servers being down... which is a bit unfair.  I hate to say this, but they should give the trophies to owners of that game where they can no longer be accomplished due to multiplayer features going down.   I hate giving free trophies... but ... it's not right to NOT be able to come up with the achievements later on if you want to do so.  There's probably some game end-of-life clause to get around the legalities... but it's almost false advertising as well.

[CreepinDeth]

@BLUEVOODU - Here is the press release from Sony's blog -

PlayStation store on PS3 and PS Vita will continue operations.