PS3/PS Vita: credit cards and other payment methods will no longer be usable on PS Store when accessed from PS3/PS Vita, starting Oct.27

Publication date of the original Japanese article: 2021-10-05 19:25 (JST)
Translated by. Ryuki Ishii

SIE updated the PlayStation Support page, and put out a new notice stating that the payment methods available on PlayStation Store when accessed from PS3 or PS Vita will be limited starting October 27.

According to the newly published notice, payment methods such as credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal will no longer be accepted to purchase digital content or add funds to your wallet, when using PS Store via PS3 or PS Vita.

You can still buy games using funds in your wallet, though. “PlayStation Store gift cards can be used on both PS3 consoles and PS Vita systems” and “using a credit or debit card, PayPal, or other available payment methods via a desktop computer, mobile device, a PS4 console or a PS5 console” will still be allowed.

For users in Japan, not being able to use payment methods such as credit cards and debit cards means CERO Z (18 or above) rated games will no longer be purchasable through PS3 or PS Vita in Japan. Since the purchase of CERO Z-rated games requires certain payment methods to be used (mainly credit cards) here in Japan. Additional contents and DLCs for CERO Z-rated games can still be purchased, and purchased contents are re-downloadable even after October 27.

The full notice can be found here: PlayStation Support (US)

Starting 27th October, 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™ console or PS Vita system.

To buy digital content for your PS3 console or PS Vita system, you must first add sufficient funds to your wallet on PlayStation Store. You can add funds by redeeming a PlayStation Store gift card, using a credit or debit card, PayPal, or other available payment methods via a desktop computer, mobile device, a PS4 console or a PS5 console.

How would this affect games that have an in-game store? Can I purchase DLC in an in-game store?

You will still be able to purchase content (including DLC) via in-game stores, but you will need to use wallet funds to pay for the content on PlayStation Store. You will not be able to use a credit or debit card, or other payment methods such as PayPal to complete the purchase.

Can I still use PlayStation Store gift cards on my PS3 console or PS Vita system?

Yes, PlayStation Store gift cards can be used on both PS3 consoles and PS Vita systems. Product vouchers and subscription vouchers can also be used.

Initially, it was announced in March that the PS Store via PS3 and PS Vita will close this summer, but SIE later withdrew the announcement. Apparently, they are still ending support for the majority of payment methods.

That said, you can still purchase games using your wallet even after October 27. Though users in Japan will have a tougher time with CERO Z games.