As Sony continues its plans to push forward with focusing on new hardware, the clock is ticking on PlayStation's older platforms. Based on a report from PSblog.com, there's an indication that the PlayStation 3 may receive a system update that will see its servers shut down, affecting access to online play and the PlayStation Store, permanently. There are no confirmed sources of this "death update", but it's not out of the realm of possibility, so this information should be taken with a grain of salt.

How likely is this? Considering the PS3 had seen an update as recently as February 2024, support to keep its functionality optimal is apparent. In 2021, Sony had strongly considered shutting down the PS Vita, PlayStation Portable, and PlayStation 3 PSStore services. Strong fan backlash forced their hand to keep the storefronts around, at least a little longer on the PS3, where you can only make digital purchases with a gift card balance. The fate has befallen the Xbox 360's digital storefront, so will it be a matter of time for the PS3 eventually joins?

Sony has long wanted to distance itself from its aging hardware in order to integrate as many people as possible into the PlayStation 5 ecosystem, so they certainly want to shutter the doors on tech whenever the opportunity presents itself. Manufacturing of even the PlayStation 4 wrapped up two years ago, so the lifespan of the PS3's services are numbered, even if it doesn't have a definitive number.

Made even more concerning is, the library and catalog of PlayStation 3 exclusives aren't necessarily backed up the same way the Xbox 360 backlog is through Game Pass Core and the old Games With Gold program, making its older titles available on the Xbox Series X|S platforms. The platform's architecture has always been its biggest drawback, which is why the backwards compatibility for a good majority of its library isn't as plentiful as many would like.

Are these moves Sony has considered when it comes time to pull the plug?  

SOURCE: PSblog.com