Sony has reversed its decision to close the PS3 and PS Vita digital game storefronts. However, the PSP store will still close as planned.
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) announced its plans to close the PS3, PS Vita and PlayStation Portable stores last month. The stores were to close by the summer this year. However, this announcement was met by anger and dismay by PlayStation Fans.
PlayStation Fans were angry that hundreds, possibly thousands of digital-only PS3, PS Vita and PSP games would be lost forever. Fans even set up an online petition in the hopes of getting Sony to think again.
The fan backlash seems to have worked as SIE has now stated that the PS3 and PS Vita stores will remain operational.
On a post on the PlayStation Blog SIE President and CEO said:
Upon further reflection, however, it’s clear that we made the wrong decision here. So today I’m happy to say that we will be keeping the PlayStation Store operational for PS3 and PS Vita devices.
The PSP stores will close on 2nd July as planned though.
SIE’s decision to close the PS3 and PS Vita stores were so they could focus more on the PS4 and PS5 stores. Devices which most people play on. However, Jim Ryan says that he realises that there are many PlayStation gamers still passionate about purchasing and playing older titles. Hence the older stores will now remain open.
Many PlayStation fans are now overjoyed that SIE has changed their minds about the PS3 and Vita stores. And proponents of game preservation re also over the moon.
With Sony’s change of heart on this issue, it now means that thousands of older, classic games will still be able to be purchased and played on older PlayStation devices. hopefully for years to come.
Source: PlayStation Blog
