Later this month, PlayStation Network will abandon its online and mobile support for previous PlayStation hardware like the PS3, PSP, and PS Vita, although players will still be able to make purchases on the systems themselves. With the launch of the new PS5 fast approaching, Sony seems to be refocusing its online efforts toward its latest generation of consoles in the coming months.
But even as the PlayStation 5 continues to make headlines and send retail sites like GameStop into a frenzy with its pre-order shortages, there are still those fans who enjoy booting up their previous PlayStation systems to play the games that won't be backward compatible with the new console hits stores this November. Helping in this was PlayStation Network still offering games and other downloadable content for the PS3, PSP, and PS Vita even though none of these three systems have been actively supported in years. Unfortunately, it seems that all good things must come to an end, and this includes players being able to buy digital content for these great old PlayStation platforms on their computers and mobile devices.
Earlier this afternoon, video game newshound Wario64 shared an announcement on Twitter that Sony will be making an update to its PlayStation Network on October 19 for the website and October 28 for the mobile app, complete with an actual screenshot of the memo revealing this news to PlayStation affiliates. This update will remove all PS3, PSP, and PS Vita-based content from these platforms - including games, themes, and avatars - but players will still be able to make purchases from those devices’ PlayStation Network apps. Also being removed from all platforms is the Wishlist feature, but some commenters suspect that this will be brought back in an updated capacity when the PS5 comes out.
Meanwhile, the hype is building up toward the PlayStation 5's long-awaited release next month, bolstered by several new reveals such as the system's quieter cooling fan in comparison to the PlayStation 4. There's also the recent announcement that Sony is finally ending years of confusion on both sides of the Pacific by making the X Button the default confirmation input for all regions, in a change that will make very little difference to some players but could be a headache for those in Japan. But even then, there will always be those players who prefer to whip out their old PSPs for a quick trip down memory lane - even with the occasional risk of their batteries exploding due to years of wear and tear.
While it may be unfortunate and inconvenient for these players, Sony’s decision to keep its focus on the upcoming PS5 and the content that will be compatible with it on PlayStation Network does make some sense from a business perspective, and it is mitigated somewhat by them still being able to make purchases on the PS3, PSP and PS Vita themselves. A more head-scratching choice would be the Network removing Wishlists from their online stores, but Sony presumably has a reason as it prepares for the PS5’s launch on November 12.
Source: Wario64/Twitter