The web browser workaround solution is also gone, so an era has come to an end.

Sony announced on its website that on July 2, the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation Portable (PSP), and on August 27, the PlayStation Vita will see its PlayStation Store close down. We’ve edited together the important parts from the Q&A the company provided.

„You will still be able to re-download and play previously purchased game titles; access previously purchased video/media content; redeem game and PlayStation Plus vouchers; re-download and play claimed game titles through PlayStation Plus as long as you remain a member of the service. You will no longer be able to purchase PlayStation 3, PS Vita, and PSP digital content, including games and video content; make in-game purchases through games on PlayStation 3, PS Vita, and PSP; redeem PlayStation Network wallet fund vouchers (e.g. gift cards) on PlayStation 3, PS Vita, or PSP devices once PlayStation Store and purchase functionality for these devices close. Your PlayStation Network wallet funds will remain in your PlayStation Network account, but you will only be able to use your wallet funds to purchase PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 products on PlayStation Store on the web, PlayStation App, or on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles. If you are only active on a PlayStation 3, PS Vita, or PSP devices, don’t use a PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 console, and don’t plan on using one, you may request a refund of any funds left in your wallet. We recommend that if you plan to top up your wallet before the store closures, you only top up by the minimum amount required to buy the desired content. We will be updating this page with more details on how to request such a refund.

You can download your owned content onto your PlayStation 3, PS Vita, or PSP device by accessing the Download List on the respective device. You will still be able to purchase cross-buy content through PlayStation Store on the web, PlayStation App, or on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles and access both the PlayStation 4 version and the PlayStation 3 / PS Vita / PSP versions,” Sony wrote.

In October, Sony has wiped the PlayStation Store’s old version, which had PlayStation 3, PSP, and PlayStation Vita content on it, in anticipation of the PlayStation 5’s arrival. Until now, a workaround was possible, accessing the old store with a region-specific URL. However, ResetEra claims the loophole was closed by Sony. We need to bid a farewell to the old PlayStation Store.

Finally, you still have until March 31 to download the 2016 PlayStation 4 remake of Ratchet & Clank for free as part of the Play at Home program. Insomniac Games announced that they will release a PlayStation 5 patch for it sometime in April, allowing us to play the game at sixty frames per second on the new Sony console.

Source: Gematsu, Gematsu, WCCFTech