Sony confirms legacy store shutdowns: What this means for you

[Cal Jeffrey]

In context: Last week rumors surfaced that Sony would be shutting down the PS3, PSP, and Vita stores this summer. The stories were somewhat substantiated when Sony took the online versions of those marketplaces offline over the weekend. The move left legacy system owners wondering what would happen with their digital content.

On Tuesday, Sony sent out an email to customers informing them that it is shuttering its legacy stores for good this summer. As previously reported, the PlayStation 3 marketplace and PSP purchases will close on July 2, and the PlayStation Vita store will retire on August 27.

"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," the notice read. "We thank you for your support on these platforms throughout the years."

If you own any of these systems, you will no longer be able to purchase content for them through the digital stores. Obviously, new and used physical media is unaffected. However, it will disable in-game purchasing regardless of media. Sony notes it closed the PSP store in 2016, but in-game purchasing is still enabled and will remain until July 2.

For customers concerned about how they will access their content, Sony assures us that owned games and video will not be taken offline. Players can still access purchases through the Downloads menu in the system software. However, there was an important note regarding cross-buy bundles.

"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," Sony warned.

It also mentioned that any of the free PlayStation Plus games users have claimed will still be accessible as long as they maintain their membership.

Wallet funds will remain on the user's PSN account for use in the PS4 and PS5 stores. That means that if you have money in your online wallet but do not own a PS4 or PS5, those funds will not be accessible after this summer but will not disappear. Credit will remain on account until users decide to upgrade to a newer system. Those not planning to upgrade may request a refund. However, Sony's FAQ page says that it does not yet have a refund system in place.

"We recommend that if you plan to top up your wallet prior to the store closures, you only top up by the minimum amount required to buy the desired content," the FAQ reads. "We will be updating this page with more details on how to request such a refund."

So the bottom line is if there are any PS3 or Vita games you have been putting off getting, buy them before this summer unless you are sure you can find them in a brick-and-mortar store.

Image credit: Daria Gromova

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/89108-sony-confirms-legacy-store-shutdowns-what-means-you.html

 

[QuantumPhysics]

There are two main arguments I have for Physical Media:

#1 It ensures you still have the hard copy of the game - that will work on any compatible system - regardless...

#2 Shutting down the download center doesn't stop you from getting access to the game because of #1.

#3 It ensures your game cannot be altered or changed.

They can't remove content later deemed undesirable and they can't add content you don't want.

 

[Cal Jeffrey]

#3 It ensures your game cannot be altered or changed.

They can't remove content later deemed undesirable and they can't add content you don't want.

...as long as you don't download any patches, which in the case of most console games is not optional.

But yeah I agree. I like physical media for all those reasons as well. I have an extensive collection of physical disks ranging from PC through several different console and handheld platforms. Hell, I still have a bunch of Genesis cartridges -- and yes. I do have the system to play them on too. I'm not a weirdo... well, yes I am, but not in that way.

 

[Dimitriid]

You're not wrong in your arguments, but what I would point out is that this are not problems inherent to digital distribution and are however, specific to the (*TERRIBLE*) digital distribution implementation players like Sony have.

If piracy wasn't such a big concern (That is, being overly paranoid about it's actual effect on sales) most of these stores shutting down wouldn't be an issue if the network was peer-2-peer instead: dedicated fans could conceivable maintain older titles by seeding them while Sony could just maintain a minimal presence for the store to sell those older copies without needing to support the bandwidth for it.

Only issue is that you know, Sony hates logical solutions and money.

 

[Lounds]

There are two main arguments I have for Physical Media:

#1 It ensures you still have the hard copy of the game - that will work on any compatible system - regardless...

#2 Shutting down the download center doesn't stop you from getting access to the game because of #1.

#3 It ensures your game cannot be altered or changed.

They can't remove content later deemed undesirable and they can't add content you don't want.

Crash Bandicoot Nsane trilogy only has Crash 1 on disc, 2&3 have to be downloaded...So even for physical media it isn't possible to guarantee a 100% playable experience nowadays from physical purchase.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

...as long as you don't download any patches, which in the case of most console games is not optional.

But yeah I agree. I like physical media for all those reasons as well. I have an extensive collection of physical disks ranging from PC through several different console and handheld platforms. Hell, I still have a bunch of Genesis cartridges -- and yes. I do have the system to play them on too. I'm not a weirdo... well, yes I am, but not in that way.

This is the main argument for using GoG on PC, you own whatever game you purchase and can back it up freely however you desire. You dont need an internet connection or Galaxy to play any of the games.

 

[Cal Jeffrey]

This is the main argument for using GoG on PC, you own whatever game you purchase and can back it up freely however you desire. You dont need an internet connection or Galaxy to play any of the games.

Yeah, I was primarily referring to consoles with that comment. I've always found that aspect of console games annoying. Sometimes you can skip an update, but there are a lot of games that force you to update before you can play. Bethesda is fond of doing this.

Look, I realize that your update fixes some bugs and stuff, but maybe I don't want to download and install it right now. I just want to play.

"Too bad."

 

[ZedRM]

There are two main arguments I have for Physical Media:

#1 It ensures you still have the hard copy of the game - that will work on any compatible system - regardless...

#2 Shutting down the download center doesn't stop you from getting access to the game because of #1.

#3 It ensures your game cannot be altered or changed.

They can't remove content later deemed undesirable and they can't add content you don't want.

Well said!

This is the main argument for using GoG on PC, you own whatever game you purchase and can back it up freely however you desire. You dont need an internet connection or Galaxy to play any of the games.

Also well said!