Sony reversed its decision in 2021 after player backlash, but it has now published an official timetable for closing PlayStation Store on PlayStation 3 and PS Vita.

On July 1, Sony made two announcements that are likely to fuel debate around digital ownership and game preservation. One confirmed that physical-disc production for new PlayStation games will end in January 2028, while the other outlined the phased closure of the PlayStation Store on PlayStation 3 and PS Vita.

Sony originally planned to close PlayStation Store on PlayStation 3 and PS Vita in August 2021, but the company reversed that decision after player feedback. Sid Shuman, Senior Director of Content Communications at Sony Interactive Entertainment, has now confirmed in an official statement that the closure will ultimately happen.

“After nearly two decades of supporting the PlayStation 3 console generation, we wanted to let you know that we will be closing the PlayStation Store on the PlayStation 3, as well as on the PS Vita. The PlayStation Store on PS3 will close in select markets starting this year, followed by global closures on PS3 and PS Vita next year.

This means that new content purchases will no longer be possible once PlayStation Store closes on these devices. To ease the transition, players will still be able to download previously purchased content after the closing date for the foreseeable future.” Shuman wrote.

Sony explained that PlayStation Store is evolving to support modern commerce systems and updated payment standards that PlayStation 3 and PS Vita can no longer support at the required level.

“In Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua, PlayStation Store on PlayStation 3 will close starting in August 2026. In additional Latin American and Middle Eastern countries, PlayStation Store on PlayStation 3 will close in late 2026. In all other countries, PlayStation Store on PlayStation 3 and PS Vita will close in July 2027.” the statement says.

Sony stressed that the decision was not easy and that the two older platforms represent an important era in PlayStation history. At the same time, it said it needs to devote more resources to newer devices, where most of its players are active today.

The closure takes on additional meaning because Sony also announced that new PlayStation games will be distributed digitally only from January 2028. The decision does not affect games that released physically before that date, but no physical game discs will be manufactured for new releases after the transition begins.

This once again raises questions about preservation and digital ownership. Previously purchased content will remain downloadable, but new purchases will no longer be possible on the old platforms. A fully digital future may be more convenient, but it also creates a far greater dependence on online services continuing to exist.

Source: PlayStation Blog, PlayStation Blog