Just on the heels of our report that the stores for the PS3, PS Vita, and PSP would be closing down permanently, Sony has confirmed that is true. Starting this July, Sony will begin shutting down the online service for its legacy platforms.

In a new email to its users, Sony confirms that the first platforms to lose support will be both the PS3 and PSP on July 2, 2021. Shortly after on August 27, 2021, the PS Vita will follow. Sony's rationale for the decision states that "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."

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Sony goes on to confirm this means you will no longer be able to purchase gaming or video content from these stores. However, if you're concerned about titles you've already bought, it sounds like those are safe. In Sony's "What about content you already own?" section of the announcement, it included the following points:

  • 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.

For vouchers, wallet funds, and cross-buy content for games, Sony also provided clarification:

  • 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.

After our initial report from a source verified by TheGamer, we saw the web storefronts for those stores shut down this morning, further fueling speculation. Unfortunately, several games in Sony's digital library are hard to find physically or don't offer modern ports or remasters.

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