PlayStation Adds Nails to Coffin as ‘Now’ Service Ends for PS3 and Vita

Console wars leader Sony is slowly phasing out its PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita devices. After pulling the plug on the "PlayStation Live Events Viewer" for the PS3, "PlayStation Now" will be saying goodbye to the PS3 and PS Vita.

As reported on PlayStation's official blog by "PlayStation Now" Senior Marketing Manager Brian Dunn, the service will also be pulled out on August 15, 2017 for All 2013-2015 Sony Bravia TVs, PlayStation TVs, All Samsung TVs and all Sony Blu-ray players. It also states that for the 2016 Sony Bravias, the service will end earlier, at April 1.

Deciding to shift their focus on their current flagship device, the PlayStation 4, as well as the PC, the move was made to develop and improve the services of "PlayStation Now" on the latest platforms. The announcement also thanks everyone who has used the service on the devices earlier mentioned. GameSpot adds that if customers would not be able to use the service on the PS4 or PC, then Sony advices to turn off the 'auto-renewal' feature before the end of service.

Launched on January 2014, "PlayStation Now" is a cloud streaming service that lets customers play PlayStation games without the need of having a physical disc. Available on other several gaming and non-gaming devices, a Dual Shock 3 controller (later on a DS4 controller) is needed for non-PlayStation devices. An internet connection of at least 5mbps is recommended for good performance.

As for the game library, while earlier rumored to contain titles as far back as the PlayStation One, the current library only has games from the PS3. To play the games, one could purchase a monthly subscription or rent a game ala carte. Questions about the subscription refund after the cancellation has been raised by customers, though PlayStation has yet to respond to it.