Sony’s PlayStation 3 console might be old, but it still has a loyal following. Lots of users log in daily, be that as their main place to play or for an instant hit of sweet nostalgia. Naturally, recent news of some discontinued PSN features going offline is causing concern. But, are PS3 servers shutting down? Here’s the need-to-know on Sony disabling the PlayStation Network servers for PS3.
Is Sony closing down PS3 online multiplayer?
Several publishers have pulled online server support for PS3 games over the years. Despite that, Sony has always kept PlayStation 3 online multiplayer alive with continued PSN support. Many of the Sony Interactive Entertainment titles’ multiplayer components also remain active. Is that set to change in 2021, though?
PS3 servers are staying online. Sony has not made any announcements regarding the closure of PlayStation 3 online multiplayer services. The company plans to discontinue the PSN Store on its legacy platforms, but that will not affect online multiplayer in PS3 games with active server support.
It’s unlikely that Sony will shut down PS3 multiplayer servers in 2021, though it may happen later down the line. If anything, it’s almost inevitable as the PlayStation 3 gets older and becomes progressively more niche. Of course, preventing new users from downloading digital games won’t do anything to help extend the system’s networking lifespan.
Are PSP and PS Vita servers getting discontinued in 2021?
PSP and PlayStation Vita online multiplayer servers are not shutting down. Sony is discontinuing the digital PSN Store on both handheld platforms, but that will not affect server support for individual games. Where support is already active, PlayStation Portable and PS Vita games will continue to work online as intended.
Of course, looking beyond 2021, networking features could close down on both consoles. Demand is likely to decline over time, and stopping digital purchases via the PlayStation Store is only likely to expedite that process.
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