Sony has posted an update regarding the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita storefronts. No, they're not closing down, but they are getting a little bit harder to shop for by removing the PayPal, credit, and debit payment options.
"From 27th October, 2021, you will no longer be able to use a credit or debit card or a payment method such as PayPal to buy digital content or add funds to your wallet when visiting PlayStation Store on your PS3 console or PS Vita system," writes Sony. "To buy digital content for your PS3 console or PS Vita system, you must first add sufficient funds to your wallet on PlayStation Store."
Adding funds to your PlayStation Wallet can be done using any of the payment options available on the PS4 or PS5, as well as the PlayStation website on PC or mobile. Product vouchers, subscription vouchers, and gift cards can still be redeemed on PS3 and Vita.
As noted by VGC, this means that Japanese players will no longer be able to buy age-restricted content on Sony's older consoles. Anything with an age-restricted rating requires a credit card on file to verify the user's age, which means without it, even adults can't buy games that require the user to be 18 or over.
Last March, Sony tried to shut down the PS3 and PlayStation Vita storefronts entirely, but public backlash eventually caused the publisher to reverse course on that plan. It still shut down the PSP storefront in July, but you can still buy PSP games through the PS3 and Vita stores. Although now it's a little more difficult without being able to pay directly using a credit card or debit card now.
Perhaps this is Sony's plan--to slowly take away services from the PS3 and Vita store until nobody really cares if the storefronts are closed for good. Even if Sony never closes the stores for their older consoles, many game developers are still pulling support as the world moves on to newer hardware.