Is PS3 discontinued?

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Is PS3 Discontinued?

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The PlayStation 3 (PS3) has been officially discontinued by Sony, and production has ceased, with its successor, the PlayStation 4 (PS4), being the current-generation console. The PS3 is no longer being manufactured, but its servers and store remain in operation, allowing users to still access and play games, as well as purchase content directly from their console.

FAQs About PS3 Discontinuation

General Questions

  1. Is the PS3 network shutting down? While Sony had previously announced in 2021 that it was shutting down its PS3 digital storefront, the company reversed its decision after a backlash from fans, and both the PS3 servers and store remain in operation.

  2. Is PS3 a dead console? Regarding the usefulness of the PlayStation 3, it’s still a console getting playtime, even in 2023, with games like Red Dead Redemption being the most active PlayStation 3 title.

  3. Is the PS3 store still active? The PS3 and Vita stores remain online, but the PSP store was closed as planned, and older digital storefronts are starting to close.

Purchase and Support

  1. Is PS3 still good in 2023? In 2023, the PS3 is likely to be even more outdated, with fewer new games being developed for it and limited support from Sony, making it less desirable for purchase.

  2. Can you still go online with PS3? The short answer is yes, but most games will have more active communities on PS4, making the PS3 less appealing for online play.

  3. What happened to PS3? As of October 19th, 2020, you will no longer be able to purchase PS3, PSP, and PS Vita content, themes, or avatars on the Web or Mobile Store, but you can still purchase content directly from the respective devices.

Comparison with Other Consoles

  1. Are PS4s still being made? Sony discontinued all PlayStation 4 models except the Slim version in Japan in January 2021, but it is still being produced in Western markets, with Sony committing to 3-year support for the PS4.

  2. Is PlayStation making a PS6? Given the release of the PS5 in November 2020, it’s likely that the PlayStation 6 won’t be released until 2026 or 2027, or possibly even 2028.

  3. What can you do with a PS3? The PlayStation 3 can show pictures, play videos, and play music downloaded from the net, stored on a USB device, or streamed from a computer, offering some functionality beyond gaming.

Upgrades and Compatibility

  1. Is PS5 worth buying in 2023? If you want to play the latest games, buying a PS5 base variant in 2023 might be a good idea, as it’s a powerful console that can handle demanding games and will likely remain relevant for several years.

  2. Should I buy a PS4 or PS5? The PS5 offers better quality games, full support for 4K media, faster loading times, and extra features like haptic feedback, making it more than worth the upgrade for current PS4 owners.

  3. Is it ok to buy PS4 in 2023? It’s generally smarter to wait for a PS5, get PlayStation exclusives on PC, or get another console instead of paying for the older PS4 system, especially since the PS4 turns 10 years old in 2023.

History and Performance

  1. Why did PS3 fail? The PlayStation 3 had a high price tag at its launch, which deterred casual, low-budget gamers and was part of a larger marketing failure for Sony that lasted for several years.

  2. Can you play PS3 games on PS5? You can play PS3 games on PS5 due to its backwards compatibility with PS4 and PS3, allowing you to play PS3 and PS4 games without special modifications.

  3. When did PS2 servers shut down? The last official online server for PS2, which was for Final Fantasy XI, was shut down on March 31, 2016, with the DNAS following it a couple of days later, indirectly shutting down several remaining unofficial servers.

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