Sony Says Goodbye to PlayStation Stars Loyalty Program After Just 3 Years
Sony is officially wrapping up its PlayStation Stars loyalty program, marking the end of a three-year run that aimed to reward loyal PlayStation users for their activity and purchases.
As of now, new users can no longer sign up. If you're thinking of opting out, think twice, because once you cancel, there's no coming back, and any unclaimed points will be lost for good. However, existing members still have a bit of time. You can continue earning points until July 23, 2025, and you’ll be able to redeem them until November 3, 2026.
Although the reward system is being shut down, the digital collectibles, those quirky 3D models like the Jim Ryan bobblehead, aren’t going anywhere yet. Players will still be able to view and enjoy them even after the program’s closure.
According to Grace Chen, PlayStation’s VP of network advertising, loyalty, and licensed merchandise, the company took time to study how players interacted with the program. She said that the decision to wind things down was based on evolving trends and a shift in focus. Sony is now exploring new ways to use what they’ve learned, though there’s no hint yet of a new rewards system replacing this one.
When PlayStation Stars launched in July 2022, it felt like a solid way to earn perks. You could rack up points for spending on the PlayStation Store or even just for completing simple tasks like surveys or trying out features. The points could eventually be exchanged for digital items or wallet credit. It was a clear attempt to compete with Xbox Rewards.
But over time, the perks started losing their shine. Points began expiring faster, and key purchases like PlayStation Plus subscriptions stopped counting toward rewards. Not to mention, the program was down for a whole month last year, adding to frustrations.
Now, with no replacement in sight, it looks like Sony is hitting pause on loyalty programs for now. It’s possible we’ll see something new down the line, but for current PlayStation Stars users, the countdown has begun.
No comments:
Comments on GameOPS are moderated. Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry.
If you don't have a Google, LiveJournal, Wordpress, AIM, Typepad or OpenID account, please choose NAME/URL when posting a commment. Anonymous comments will be rejected.