PlayStation 3 which was launched between 2006 and 2007 become the center of console gaming for Sony Corp (ADR) (NYSE:SNE) and recorded very impressive inroads in the market. The game sold a total of 85 million units by 2016.
It however appears to be the end after rumors from Japan indicated the company plans to discontinue the production of the PlayStation 3 this month. This is according to several game stores in Japan. These reports were further confirmed by an update on the official website of Sony Japan. Sony is yet to clearly come out and confirm or deny the reports. The latest development comes after Sony stopped the sale of the PlayStation 3 in New Zealand in 2015. The demise of the PlayStation 3 has been hastened by the arrival of the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 4 Pro.
PlayStation3’s product page on the website of Sony Japan says that the game will soon be out of the market but the company has remained uncommitted on whether the game will discontinue in the United States and Europe.
The console has however been in the market for a longer period compared to several games that were wiped out of the market after less than five years. The Nintendo for example was dumped following the arrival of the Switch. Sony previously discontinued the sale of PlayStation 2’s online version in April 2016. The company ended the production of the console in 2012 ten years after it was introduced.
Reports also indicate that Sony plans to stop the sale of the PlayStation 3 in India. The reports further say that the gadgets have been out of stock for the better part of 2016. Reliable and credible sources with Sony India’s supply chain claim that the company y has been focusing more on the supply of the PlayStation 4 with a goal to double its sales. Sony India is yet to officially confirm or deny these reports though speculations are ripe that the company could drop the console in the next financial year.