Initial Plans to Discontinue Support
PS3 and PS Vita Store Closure
In February 2021, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) announced that new content purchases from the PlayStation Store would end for PS3 on July 2, 2021, and for PS Vita on August 27, 2021. This move was seen as a significant shift in focus towards newer consoles like the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
Community Backlash and Reversal
Reversing the Decision
However, following strong feedback from the gaming community, Sony reversed its decision to close the PS3 and PS Vita stores. In April 2021, it was announced that the PlayStation Store would continue to operate for these devices, allowing users to purchase games and content indefinitely.
Implications and Future
Game Preservation and Legacy Consoles
This reversal highlights the importance of game preservation and the ongoing demand for classic games. While the PSP store did shut down on July 2, 2021, as planned, the continued support for PS3 and PS Vita ensures that gamers can still access and purchase their favorite titles on these platforms.