With the very successful release of their current generation console, Sony wanted to move on from older platforms like the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation Vita. But it seems like their decision backfired on them-spectacularly.
According to a report by Yahoo! News, Sony is now backtracking on their decision to close the online stores for the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation Vita, after massive fan backlash. Writing in a blog post, PlayStation head honcho Jim Ryan said that Sony clearly "made the wrong decision."
The reversal came right after Sony decided to close the stores for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and the PSP on July 2nd, reports Engadget.
Read also: PlayStation To Offer More Free Games With Play At Home, Sony Confirms Undisclosed Update
Keeping Tradition Alive
Sony has been slowly trying to render its older platforms obsolete by removing support for a wide variety of mostly online features. Take for instance the company's removal of support for PlayStation Now on the PlayStation 3, in an attempt to focus on their then-current gen PS4 and an expansion to PC.
There are still people out there who use their PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita consoles, despite newer systems already being out. The main reason? Nostalgia, for one, and this is something that PlayStation's Jim Ryan recognizes. Writing on the official PlayStation blog, Ryan says, "We see now that many of you are incredibly passionate about being able to continue purchasing classic games on PS3 and PS Vita for the foreseeable future, so I'm glad we were able to find a solution to continue operations."
It's also worth noting that initially, Sony wanted to close the stores for the PS3, Vita, and PSP because they wanted to improve the overall online store experience for the PS4 and current-gen PS5. Maybe they did have a good idea, because a few updates to the store managed to anger several gamers in recent years. Players cited major complications in navigating the website on both consoles and mobile devices.
This is a good decision reversal for Sony, because despite the successful launch of the PS5, people are still struggling to get the company's new console due to them being out of stock in a lot of retailers. By keeping the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita stores operational, they get to maintain a market reserved for truly passionate gamers who love playing old classics.
Related: Sony Reveals Plans To Push PlayStation Franchises To Mobile Gaming
PSP Owners Are Out Of Luck, Though
The PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita are quite old now, releasing way back in 2006 and 2011, respectively. But for those who are still playing the older PlayStation Portable (PSP), you're out of luck. Sony is definitely closing down that storefront, and there's nothing stopping that.
Despite this, however, your old PSP games won't be deactivated and will still be playable. Plus, there's always the option to buy physical games from the local secondhand market if you really still want to keep your old handheld alive.
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Jai Barnachia
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