One of the biggest evolutions on
the ongoing development of videogame consoles is the advent of the digital
copy. From Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Microsoft’s Xbox 360 it became possible to
just purchase and download new games online, storing them in a game console’s
hard disk drive, precluding the need for game discs and the like. When a
successor console comes, they tend to provide for backwards compatibility so
that they could play games of previous generations. Meanwhile the older
consoles gradually get phased out. Sony did announce the closure of online game
stores for the PS3, PSP and PS Vita, only for loud owner protests to make them
reconsider.
As CNet would have it, Sony has decided not to shut down two of its
three online stores for older game systems following backlash from their loyal
owners. While the PlayStation Portable, launched in 2004-5, will see its purchase
functionality terminated on July 2 as planned, the same closure date for the
PlayStation 3 and the August 27 shutdown of PlayStation Store services for the
Vita handheld have been called off, allowing owners of these devices to
continue being able to buy digital game titles and DLC for the same.
In an official statement on the
PlayStation blog dated this past Monday, April 19, Sony Interactive
Entertainment president and CEO Jim Ryan noted that their decision to close the
PS3 and Vita online stores was wrong, so they will keep the storefront sections
for these older game systems operational for an indefinite time period. “I’m
glad that we can keep this piece of our history alive for gamers to enjoy,
while we continue to create cutting-edge new game worlds for PS4, PS5, and the
next generation of VR,” says Ryan.
Looking at where Sony was coming
from, one can understand their initial plans to begin wrapping up support for
the PlayStation 3 (released 2006-7) and PS Vita (launched 2011-12 to replace
the PSP but sold less). One factor is “commerce support challenges,” since
manufacture of these systems has long terminated and supplies for units, games
and components are running out anyway. Second, obviously the latest consoles
must be prioritized, such as the PS4 and the new PS5. Sony merely underestimated
how many people still own and play serviceable PS3s and Vitas to be cut off
just like that. It is a pity for the original PSP however, but its lifespan was
until 2014, so it was just time to retire.
Image courtesy of Game Informer
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