Rumor: Sony is closing download stores for PS3, Vita and PSP for good in July

Sony is rumored to be closing download stores for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita and PlayStation Portable. That would happen in July and the announcement was to be made at the end of this month. The PS3 came out in 2006.

Website TheGamer says it heard that from a source who has knowledge of the plans. The download store for PS3 and PSP games is set to close on July 2, while the PS Vita download store will remain open until August 27.

After the download stores have closed, it is no longer possible to purchase digital games or DLC for the concerned consoles. Sony’s newer consoles use a different download store for the distribution of games, Sony may no longer see the benefit of keeping the older download stores open and maintained.

If Sony closes the download stores of the concerned consoles, it will no longer be possible to distribute updates for games. However, it remains possible to buy and play physical games for the consoles.

Sony’s PlayStation 3 was released in November 2006 and has sold 87 million units. The console went out of production four years ago. The PlayStation Portable was released in March 2005 and has sold approximately 81 million units. The PlayStation Vita, which first appeared in December 2011, was less of a success. It is estimated that about 15 million of them have been sold.