In an email sent out to all PlayStation account holders, Sony has decided to remove the ability to directly pay for content for their PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita directly via traditional payment types such a Credit Card and Paypal.
This isn’t the first time in recent times that Sony has tried to do something to the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita era of consoles. Back in March of this year, Sony announced it would discontinue all store pages dedicated to that era of gaming, essentially removing decades of PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita games from sale and redownload. It looks like instead of shutting things down completely, Sony is just making it harder to purchase that era of games on their consoles.
You can read the entire email statement below.
As you’ve recently enjoyed playing on PlayStation®3 or PlayStation®Vita, we want to let you know about some changes to the way you buy digital PS3™ and PS Vita content.
These changes have been introduced to enhance online payment security for all PS3 and PS Vita owners.
What’s changed?
Starting October 27th, 2021, you can no longer use a credit or debit card, or a payment method such as PayPal, to buy digital content or add funds to your wallet when visiting PlayStation™Store on your PS3 or PS Vita.How do you purchase digital content now?
Should you wish to buy digital content for your PS3 or PS Vita, you must first add sufficient funds to your wallet. You can add funds by redeeming a PlayStation Store gift card via your PS3 or PS Vita, or by using a credit or debit card, PayPal or other available payment method using a desktop or mobile device, or a PS4 or a PS5 console.To add funds to your wallet using a credit card or debit card, PayPal or other available payment method:
1) Access PS Store via your desktop computer, mobile device, PS4 or PS5 console.
2) Use a credit or debit card, PayPal or other available payment method to add the minimum amount required to your wallet to cover the cost of the content you want to buy. You can also add funds to your wallet by redeeming a PlayStation Store gift card.Is there any other way to buy digital PS3 or PS Vita content?
No, you can only buy digital PS3 and PS Vita content by adding funds to your wallet as described above, then accessing PS Store directly from your PS3 or PS Vita.Where can you find out more?
For more information about how to add funds to your wallet, please visit https://www.PlayStation.com/support/store/ps-store-top-up-wallet/
Needless to say, it seems that Sony is making it harder for anyone to purchase PS3 and PSVita games. It’s just a few extra steps, but we doubt this is the last time we’ll hear that Sony is making another change to the PS3 and PS Vita stores. Mark our words.
