Sony is preparing the shutdown of the Stores for the PS3, PS Vita and PSP, by sending an email to users. Service will end July 2, 2021 for PS3, and August 27, 2021, on PlayStation Vita devices. The purchasing functionality that had been retained on the PSP (PlayStation Portable) will also be removed from July 2, 2021.
“After careful consideration, we have decided on these changes to focus our efforts, for the PlayStation Store, on the PlayStation 4 and the PlayStation 5, which will allow us to further improve the quality of the customer experience. " announces the firm in its email.
What will change for you?
You will no longer be able to purchase PS3, PS Vita, and PSP digital content, including games and videos. You will no longer be able to make in-game purchases on PS3, PS Vita, and PSP. While the store interface on PSP was closed in 2016, the purchasing functionality, which had been retained on PSP (for example, in-game purchases), will be completely deleted.
What about the content you already own?
• You will still be able to download any PS3, PS Vita, and PSP digital content you own, including games and videos. (phew! We are saved)
• You can download the content you own to your PS3, PS Vita, or PSP by going to the Download List for each of these devices.
• If you have purchased a PS3 / PS Vita cross-buy pack and have only downloaded one of the two versions, PS3 or PS Vita, you will need to download the other version before closing PlayStation Store on the affected device.
• Video content you own on PS3, PS4, or PS5 can be streamed through the My Videos app or to mobile devices through the PlayStation ™ Video app.
• You will still be able to redownload and play the games to which you have been entitled under PlayStation Plus as long as you subscribe to this service.
What about promo codes, wallet funds and Cross-Buy content?
• You will still be able to redeem PlayStation Plus games and codes on PS3, PS Vita and PSP devices, once the PlayStation Store and purchasing functionality for those devices is removed.
• You will no longer be able to use funds from the PSN wallet (for example, a gift card) on PS3, PS Vita and PSP devices, once the PlayStation ™ Store and the purchasing functionality of those devices are removed.
• Funds from your PSN wallet will remain in your PlayStation Network account, but you will only be able to use them to purchase PS4 and PS5 products on PlayStation Store on the web, on PlayStation App, or on PS4 and PS5 consoles.
• You will still be able to purchase cross-buy content from PlayStation Store on the web, PlayStation App, or PS4 and PS5 consoles and access both the PS4 version and the PS3, PS Vita and PSP versions.
The PS Vita messaging service
From June 28, 2021 *, PlayStation Vita users will no longer be able to use the messaging service. Despite the discontinuation of PS Vita messaging, your messages will still be available using the messaging service on the PS5 and PS4 consoles, as well as through mobile devices on the PS App.
* The shutdown will come into effect on June 28, 2021, but the date may vary by region.