You have used all your credits for this month. Please add more credits to continue.

by

In July 2022, Sony unveiled a new loyalty program called “PlayStation Stars“. This service, available through web browsers and the PlayStation mobile app, was created to reward loyal PlayStation gamers with digital prizes. Essentially, PlayStation Stars mimics similar programs like My Nintendo on Nintendo consoles and Microsoft Rewards on Xbox consoles. Players can earn points in this program, which they can redeem for PlayStation Store vouchers, digital collectibles, and certain video games. These points are accumulated by completing specific tasks such as buying games, finishing quests, and earning specific trophies.

Although it was only recently launched, Sony has announced that PlayStation Stars will cease operations by November 2026. Starting from July 2025, the program will no longer accept new members and there will be no more campaigns or rewards. However, existing points can still be redeemed until then. The company is considering different ways to enhance future loyalty programs but did not provide any details or indicate if a revamped version of PlayStation Stars might reappear in the future.

PlayStation Stars Suffered from a Lot of Issues that Led to Its Downfall

Although PlayStation Stars Had Its Fans, the Rewards It Offered Weren’t That Good

As a dedicated gamer over these past three years, I’ve seen a fair share of reactions towards PlayStation Stars. It wasn’t a topic that came up much in our gaming community discussions, but there were definitely some die-hard fans who were sad to see it go when the program closed down. You see, many of us found great value in this service, using it to score free games and PSN cards. Yet, unfortunately, not everyone seemed to jump on board, mainly because the rewards just didn’t pack enough punch for most gamers.

In most contemporary rewards systems, earning points in the PlayStation Stars program wasn’t as straightforward as it appeared. The PlayStation Stars membership was structured into four levels, with each level determined by the number of games purchased and rare trophies unlocked. Entry-level members, at Level 1, needed to spend $1 on the PlayStation Store to accumulate 10 points. However, this rate wasn’t particularly rewarding given the cost of many PlayStation games. For example, games like Stellar Blade and The Quarry were priced at 17,500 points each, which meant that Level 1 members would need to spend a staggering $1,750 to purchase a single game that typically costs around $70.

The figure of $1,750 is relevant only for users who earn points solely by purchasing entire games within PlayStation Stars. However, it’s important to note that there were alternative methods to collect points on PlayStation Stars; they just weren’t as abundant compared to the options available in other platforms such as Microsoft Rewards.

PlayStation Stars Didn’t Function Properly at Times

Despite some concerns about its point system, PlayStation Stars encountered several technical problems during its operation. In December 2023, users complained about not receiving PlayStation Stars points for their digital purchases, which Sony quickly resolved. However, in June 2024, the platform mysteriously shut down for over a month. To add to the frustration, the ability to exchange PlayStation Stars points for PSN gift cards was temporarily disabled in October of that year as well. These technical glitches, among other issues, made PlayStation Stars a challenging service to use.

Sony Can Still Make a Better Version of PlayStation Stars in the Future

Despite PlayStation Stars having numerous flaws, there’s still potential for Sony to develop additional PlayStation rewards programs, rather than discarding the idea entirely. Services such as Microsoft Rewards serve as an enticing factor for players to buy games on specific platforms, and this is a strategy that could significantly boost PlayStation’s appeal. Given the steady rise in game prices to around $80, most PlayStation gamers will probably seek out ways to save money. If Sony were to introduce an updated, enhanced version of PlayStation Stars that can be accessed directly from the console instead of through the PS mobile app, it could potentially attract a broader audience, particularly in the future.

Read More

2025-05-27 15:06