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Sony has officially confirmed the closure of its legacy PlayStation 3, PS Vita, and PSP storefronts. As previously reported, PS3 and PSP will be closed on 2nd July, while PS Vita will shut on 27th August. While you will still be able to download all of your previous software and video purchases – including PS Plus titles, as long as you remain a member – you won’t be able to buy any new games from the PS Store on those platforms once they’ve been retired.

As part of an email to customers, the Japanese giant explained that the decision to retire the storefronts has been made in order to focus efforts on the PS5 and PS4. The correspondence thanks players for their support on the platforms, and notes that this transition will allow it to “enhance the customer experience even further”.

“You will no longer be able to purchase PS3, PS Vita, and PSP digital content, including games and video content,” the email reads. “You will also no longer be able to make in-game purchases through games on PS3, PS Vita, and PSP.” However, you will be able to download any software you’ve purchased previously for the foreseeable future.

The email explains: “You will still be able to download your owned PS3, PS Vita, and PSP content, including games and video content. You can download your owned content onto your PS3, PS Vita, or PSP by accessing the Download List on the respective device.”

There is a caveat regarding PS3 and PS Vita cross-buy bundles: “If you have purchased a PS3 and PS Vita cross-buy bundle and have only downloaded either the PS3 or PS Vita version, you will need to download the other version prior to the closure of PS Store on the relevant device.” Our understanding, despite the wording here, is that you’ll need to ensure both versions of the game are in your Download List before the closure, as you won’t have a means to verify your purchases beyond that. On that note, cross-buy content for PS5 and PS4 games, which include PS3, PS Vita, and PSP versions, will continue to work as before.

Any games that you’ve acquired through PS Plus will be retained as part of your library, and will be yours to download at any time as long as you have an active membership. Unused wallet funds will also be retained on your account, but you won’t be able to spend them once the aforementioned dates have elapsed. You will still be able to redeem PS Plus vouchers and game codes in the future (such as pre-order bonuses and DLC packs), but you won't be able to add funds beyond the aforementioned dates.

What do you make of this news? Are you gutted by Sony’s decision to close its legacy storefronts? Has this shaken your faith in PlayStation’s digital offering? Let us know in the comments section below.