Sony is shutting down the PlayStation 3’s storefront on 2nd July, and that’s prompted many to fire up their last-last-gen console in order to make a few purchases before it’s gone forever. While you’ll still be able to download any titles that you’ve picked up in the past, the closure of the PS Store will mean that there are numerous games you won’t be able to buy ever again, as they never received a physical release.
Of course, with so many scrambling to complete their digital software collections, there’s increased emphasis on PS3’s storefront right now – and it’s not holding up particularly well. The web is absolutely ablaze with users complaining about two very specific errors: 80029509 and 80029721. These codes appear when trying to download software, whether it’s a new purchase or something older from the user’s download list.
Sony appears to be doing a terrible job providing customer support, too, as a large proportion of its staff are trained to deal with PS5 and PS4 problems – and not necessarily PS3 ones. Having read through dozens and dozens of social media posts and forum threads, we’re still yet to find a conclusive answer. A handful of users have had success toggling two-factor authentication on and off, but many others have reported this doesn’t work.
It could be a case that PS3’s servers are simply experiencing unprecedented traffic right now; Sony may have scaled down support for the system over the years, but now there’s been a sudden surge in activity it’s struggling to cope. Whatever the case, the manufacturer will need to find a solution, because it’ll have a scandal on its hands if these issues aren’t resolved adequately prior to 2nd July. We’ll continue to investigate, and will update if we learn more.
Comments 59
Sony this is shameful. Getting closer and closer to pc being my main gaming hub and just having PS5 for exclusives.
I seriously hope Sony has something planned for its legacy titles because this really is beyond a joke.
More and more over the past year i’ve started to question Jim Ryan’s leadership. It seems he doesn’t get it
Oh also, another problem : using the native apps (the only solution right now) you can't buy PS3 or Vita games that you own through PS+. I know it's an option for PS4 games, but not for the "legacy" consoles.
Which means that some games I own will go away the moment I decide to quit PS+ (or whenever Sony discontinue the service).
"Can't download new PS3 games? That's OK. I was looking at PS3 games next to our PS4 and PS5 selections at an event, and they looked ancient. I was thinking, like, why would anybody play these?" — Jim Ryan, probably.
@Olmaz Sadly, this will never be fixed now, but yeah it's definitely worth pointing out. The only thing you could do is let your subscription lapse.
More bad press? #JIMRYANOUT!
I bought and downloaded the Original Spyro Trilogy and Vagrant Story on my VITA two nights ago. Then fired up my PS3 last night to download them there.
It worked like a charm. The only hassle was plugging the PS3 back in again, connecting to my new router and installing updates.
I'd rather we didn't do this Jim Ryan thing if possible, please. There's more than enough of that elsewhere on the Internet, and while I appreciate as the CEO the buck ultimately stops with him, I doubt he's individually responsible for an obscure PS3 error message.
This would be why it’s normal to give a years notice.
This whole situation is a disgrace. I never thought i would want Sony to take a leaf out of Ms's book but yeah. They are doing everything wrong at the moment. They should be proud of their legacy not trying to erase it.
Had issues logging in with my Vita kept giving error code NW-2304-9.
After looking at lots of forums it seems 2FA was the cause, but I had to wait for 24 hours, I assume for IP to be unblocked, as I could log in by tethering to my mobile network, but obviously didn't want to download from that with data rates.
It shouldn't be this hard!
Sony and PlayStation really need a new PR campaign after all of this.
I mean, Microsoft (not XBOX, I know) are making AR lenses for the US military, their CEO dismissed the concerns of his own staff regarding the issue, but somehow PlayStation is still the stinker brand for enthusiasts right now.
PR is king.
And what the ***** they expected we do? Just say farewell and throw our ps3 out of a window? I say, when Sony headquarters left japan, they are speeding downhill!
It's stupid for sony to close ps3 store this soon, heck, just give it one year notice rather than only 3 month
Also there's no way I want streaming future now, where games server can be closed at anytime when the games isn't selling. Unlike music and movie, games just isn't the right media for streaming.
@get2sammyb Well, that would work if my subscription was ending before the store were closed, which is not the case.
Which means I have no way to buy some games that I really like to be sure I'll be able to continue and play them in the future...
@wiiware I'm Surprised People didn't See This Coming When they Removed The Ability To Buy Legacy Stuff Off Of The Browser Store.
@Shepherd_Tallon Yeah, not saying this particular issue is a molehill, but they've definitely allowed some issues escalate enormously purely due to how bad they are at online engagement of late.
This has been going on for a while now, sadly. I hope we start to see some positive change soon, as it's been rubbish of late (despite the products being generally very good!)
@Olmaz Yeah, it sucks! I'm not aware of any other way around it sadly, definitely a massive oversight.
It’s a good thing that jail breaking is so easy, now.
And this is the reason digital downloading sucks. Luckily I have all the best games for ps3 on physical copies, and lots already downloaded. But this is what happens when they shut services down.
It’s natural, with lots of people trying to buy games on a 2 generation old service, that there will be issues. I can’t help but feel people are currently trying to buy loads of games they’ll never play though. I mean MOST have had several years to get these old games yet never cared enough to do so. Panic buying is a bit silly.
This is bad news. I'm really disappointed with how Sony is handling this situation. I believe I have what I want from the stores at this point, but just in case I change my mind some day in the future, I'm aware of "other means" that would allow me play these games, even on original hardware. If it really and truly matters to you, look into it. These games will never actually be gone forever, they'll just take a bit more effort to access.
@get2sammyb That's exactly it. I mean this current one is a bit of a mess, but there have been other situations in the past few years that wouldn't have been nearly as bad as they were made out to be if some damage control had been applied.
I like how they don't communicate until they're ready sometimes. Especially as a balance to how XBOX announces everything with trumpets, but when stuff is broken they need to do better or they'll lose the good will.
A few weeks ago there were headlines everywhere about how Outriders is on Game Pass.
PlayStation is killing it with PS Plus lately. Soulstorm will be free on Plus in April. But all anyone is talking about regarding the PlayStation brand is the legacy stores closing down because Sony haven't told us one way or the other if there's a plan to access legacy content going forward.
(There probably is, and we'll all love them again when they announce it. Like I said they do these things in their own sweet time. But this feels like it's getting away from them.)
Just keep digging that hole deeper Sony.
@Shepherd_Tallon who gives a sh*t about PR? some 10000 commenters on reddit and pushsquare? Give me a break.
@OthmaneAD Well said. Very constructive.
To be fair, normally I'd make a similar point, although probably without the condescension. But, continuously frustrating enthusiasts/early adopters will bite them eventually.
Also, PR is what turned things around for XBOX last gen. 2013 was a dumpster fire. Then they cancelled Scalebound and closed Lionhead. All they've done since then is Game Pass, but they can do no wrong.
I am getting to the point where I hope that when stock of current gen consoles is readily available Xbox starts to give PlayStation a drubbing. Maybe Sony will pull its finger out.
@Olmaz For me, since I haven’t been a PS+ member for at least a year, maybe a bit longer, I was able to purchase games that had expired. Glad I started my redownloads of this stuff a couple weeks ago, but it seems it will be pain from here on out.
Maybe you could create another profile to keep on the console just to purchase those titles, since any profile on the console could play the games.
@Itsacardgame Yeah, that seems to be the only solution... what a mess really.
@JapaneseSonic I know you're joking, but I've learned that personal threats are never really funny on internet : too many idiots that take them seriously...
I logged in when the rumour first started and even helped some redditor get a viral trophy on a ps3 game (Brütal Legend)... However, I wasn't able to purchase DLC when I tried, so it's like they don't want our money. XD
Took me like half an hour to add a game to my basket, and even longer to get it to accept my payment.
I feel like an idiot having to do it, in the same way I felt like an idiot having to buy 3D Mario All Stars.
I have 5 year old and a 6 month old, and all I want to do as an old fart gamer is to be able to show my kids the games I played as a kid, and have them play them too.
Banjo Kazooie, Perfect Dark, and Halo? No problem. These games have been future proofed and currently work across three generations.
Mario? Here's a minimum collection at maximum price. Buy now or lose out!.
Ratchet and Clank, Jak and Daxter, and Sly? May the odds of your retro console not dying, forever be in your favour.
@TraCuz- Why? None of this debacle (and yes, I agree it's a debacle) affects games released on PS5/PC right now and in the future. That said, maybe a PS5 boycott IS a good idea, a nasty sudden drop in profit might give Sony a kick up the arse to get PS1, 2 and 3 emulation working on PS5. It's definitely possible if they're willing to spend the time and money.
I fixed it for myself. Was on with customer service who could only say they don't troubleshoot PS3 anymore. So here's the deal, for me it was the error code 80029721. It's completely a 2 step verification error. For some strange reason PS3 accounts no longer work when 2 step verification is disabled. While 2 step verification is active they send you an email letting you know it's been activated. Click on the generate device password Link. It will take you to a web page where you create a code to login 1 time only into any sony playstation device associated with the account. By putting in this password in the PS3 you will find that you will log in to your account and all your downloads will work again! It tells you to only use this auto generated PW once on the website but your network ID password will never work so long as 2 step verification is enabled so just keep signing in automatically with this supposed 1 time only password.
I do not have twitter or reddit or w/e so I'm counting on people here, to spread the message.
@Shepherd_Tallon Well That was a generation launch. PR is really important in that case and PS was very successful in its ps5 launch (the scalper problem is also in xbox's side) But besides that Sony hasn't done anything that is detrimental to ps5's suceess, ps3/vita problem is a very minor one as people will be available to download games they already have (not everyone has these issues)
@Turbodream take that vile crap somewhere else
@OthmaneAD I know you're not wrong, and I was saying to someone earlier that normally I'd share these (or similar) sentiments. The number of people frustrated by this is undoubtedly miniscule compared to the over-all market, is what I would usually say.
And I agree that they haven't put a foot wrong or done anything to hinder the success of the PS5. In fact closing these stores in the way they have is the first thing they've done since the launch price of the PS3 that actually bothers me.
Sony have probably gone through the numbers and they know that they can afford to vex however many enthusiasts, and they are quite blunt in saying that most people just don't care about backwards compatibility based on their research.
It still stings to see these old games vanish without a solution though. That's if that is indeed what is going to happen.
Some other points I always make;
Just to reiterate in a small post in case people skipped the larger 1 because of length. I FIXED THE ERROR 80029721. Check my previous post for details.
Is Sony currently taking part in some elaborate episode of Punk'd that we don't know about yet?
Get better please Sony. Quickly.
@Fyz306903 15 years since PS3 released, so as a consumer my mind wonders if PS4/PS5 will be treated the same 15 years into their life. If that's the case I'll just start building my steam library.
This situation and others are very frustrating, but the most frustrating part is Sony's silence. They're not doing a good job rn, and it's hurting my 20 year love for them.
@TraCuz- yeah you couldn't expect Sony to do something like this, only Nintendo are well known for doing this, I certainly didn't expect it with Sony, I really don't have any confidence with buying digital with Sony like I previously did.
Glad I'm not alone. Bought Infamous Festival of Blood and cannot download from the store or under my account inventory. I think we just wait until things die down or they figure it out.
Like I said in a removed comment from the admin, my love for Playstation is now dead RIP 1998-2021. It will be buried next to my love for Star Wars RIP 1991-2017.
@djlard Good thing Sony headquarters didn't leave Japan...Oh wait thats right imbeciles who have the IQ of a turd love to pretend that when a corporation opens a branch in another country they surely must have moved the entire company there...LMFAO low IQ conspiracy people are hilarious, especially when they lol constantly think everything has something to do with California, the 5th largest economy in the WORLD
Screw Sony on this. I'm jailbreaking my stuff, and waiting for emulators.
I'm.just going to go to 2nd hand stores and pay for discs x
@Itsacardgame I have one question about the multiple accounts thing. I know it works on PS3 (haven't tried it, but it seems as straightforward as on PS4, so it should be ok), but it doesn't work on the Vita as far as I know.
For the Vita, I would need :
That's not very user friendly, to say the least....
At that point, Sony is literally screaming to us : please hack your Vita!
@Shepherd_Tallon "I can't see them doing this without having a plan in the works."
We have modders just out there making emulators, and MS showing how a BC programme can be a fantastic and highly praised feature, and with Sony's much stronger and longer library of legacy titles, it really feels like a no-brainer to put PS1-3 support in to the PS5.
Hell, I've been sworn off next gen for a good few years until kinks and slim versions are out, but if the PS5 was fully BC, I would have attempted to get one on launch.
That said, until it's announced, we can't fool ourselves in to thinking it's happening. For one, this wishful thinking was happening before the PS5 launched and it didn't happen. The same is happening with Nintendo fans absolutely sure that the short life of 3D All Stars is a sign that the Switch is getting N64 and GC support. Despite both these companies raking in money and having huge success with their current consoles without any additional BC support than they already provide. (I'm seeing the same mentality in a certain political sub group, that for some reason believes a certain ex leader will now replace the current leader tomorrow. Despite losing elections, and this group constantly coming up with new dates that never happen.) it all just reminds me of doomsdayers.
Rambling point being, I don't think it's reasonable to sit here expecting something to happen without evidence.
I would love for Sony to prove me wrong though.
@Richnj The day I get compared to what's-it-anon and that particular group of political zealots is the day I leave the Internet forever 😂😂😂
But I get what you're saying. And for the record, I make no assumptions about what Sony are doing. I was and am perfectly happy with the PS5 having PS4 compatibility.
What I meant was that, given the way the market is heading, I won't be surprised if Sony are doing all of this to make way for something else.
I'm absolutely not sitting here betting my mortgage on what I believe to be true without any hint of a rumour to back it up.
Having said that, I'd love a Nintendo Arcade style service for old PS games.
@Shepherd_Tallon Haha, I'm blaming your avatar's headwear for putting the idea in my head.
@Richnj 😂 Fair enough. Those hats are so comfy though 😜
Wait what? Does somebody want to tell them you only need to buy them before it shuts. You can download them whenever lol.
@get2sammyb Add another person with error 80029509!☹ Two-step verification is off. Haven't fired up the ps3 in a while,& had inadvertently let my ps plus lapse for about a week as I don't auto renew. All my ps3 ps plus stuff is inactive. I can see the full game unlocks in my download list but totally inaccessible!
Forget who mentioned it,but EU/AU PSN seems to have pulled the plug on some ps1 classics already! Alundra had been there (Psygnosis/Sony game), is already gone!!😳
I'd reluctantly consider Maximo 1 & 2,but given the issues downloading stuff already I think I won't be spending anything further!
Short of anyone getting the likes of Shu Yoshida 's attention,(or maybe Mark Cerny),on twitter,it feels like another stuff up. Been too many of them recently,sadly!
@Olmaz you are correct.
PS3 is straight forward:
Add new profile, sign in to new account, leave on system, every profile can play
Vita:
A. Buy another mem card, reset every time (ugh...)
B. Buy another Vita/PSTV + mem cards (prices, ouch!)
C. Hack you Vita (yeah!), although, I’m not sure how multi-accounts work in this scenario, as I haven’t tried yet.
PSP:
You can have games from multiple accounts on the same memory stick, but you have to log into the associated account and activate that psp to that account to play the games. So there is account switching required, but no resetting. This could be affected by the store shut down, we’ll have to see. Unless you’ve hacked your psp (come on, is there a psp out there that hasn’t?).
@Robocod So what I discovered with error 80029721 is that YOU MUST HAVE 2 STEP NOTIFICATION ENABLED. Then go into your email and look for the 2 step verification enabled notice and click the link that says "generate device password" on this webpage for your account you'll see a button on the top right that says generate new password. Put this as your PW in PS3 and ignore what it says about you only having to do it once, your Network password will never work on the ps3 again, so have this new auto generated PW as your default auto sign in password. The key is signing in to your PS3 when 2 step verification is on, if you do that then you can download everything in addition to being able to access PS store.
let me know if this works for your error code as well.
@Itsacardgame That's what I thought about the Vita. I guess I'll hold off a bit more to see what the homebrew scene brings to the table (I'm sure it will get a big boost in the coming year)...
For now, my valiant PSP Go is my go to handheld emulator, and I couldn't be happier with it.
@Olmaz right there with you on the PSPgo. It’s pretty nifty. Also having 2 data storage locations is great if you want to keep things separate. Games like DJ Max check for roms or maybe folders calls roms on the same storage device it is loaded from, and won’t load to title screen if you do have any of that.
Also, there is a certain modder in Japan that sells an M2 to SD adaptor to really expand that M2 slot so you can maximize your storage capacity.
Yeh Sony pull your finger out your Ring Rust .
I have everything downloaded onto my PS3 Fatty (yup I still have that) Slim and Super Slim. I have a spare external HD if I need to move any of them as well so I'm all set.
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