Sony has quietly reintroduced the wallet funds reward for PlayStation Stars members, just a month after it disappeared from their loyalty program with no word from the company. Prior to its removal, users could convert their collected points into store credits. Now that the option is back, it’s worth noting that the redemption is limited to $5, but players have the freedom to redeem it multiple times, provided they have sufficient points.
Launched in 2022, PlayStation Stars quickly became popular but wasn’t without its share of drama. Earlier this year, the program unexpectedly went offline, leaving fans in the dark until it returned in July, after a month-long hiatus. Fortunately, the program maintained records of players’ purchases, allowing them to accrue points during the downtime. However, users were annoyed by the lack of communication from Sony regarding the outage and the absence of compensation for the affected period.
Not long after its revival, in October, PlayStation Stars removed one of its sought-after perks, preventing users from exchanging points for money in their PlayStation Store wallets. The move angered fans, but without any official explanation, the option has now quietly reappeared. When players check the PlayStation Stars section of the official app, they can once again find the option to redeem $5 wallet credits. While initially there were various denominations to choose from, the current setup restricts it to $5 for each transaction. However, users can repeatedly redeem it to use their points.
It remains uncertain whether the removal of this reward was an error or a response to the community’s vocal discontent. Sony has indeed made other controversial tweaks to the program. For instance, in August, changes in the terms of service were met with backlash. As of October 24, the lifespan of points was shortened from 24 months to 12. Additionally, starting March 1, 2025, users won’t be able to earn points through PlayStation Plus subscriptions anymore.
These changes have drawn comparisons between PlayStation Stars and Microsoft Rewards, often leaving a bad taste for users. Reading through Reddit, it’s clear some members have lost trust. One user expressed disappointment, stating they’ve “lost trust in this program,” while another was quick to use up their points fearing the option might be removed again, saying, “Redeeming a bunch now before it disappears again.”
On the hardware side, Sony continues to innovate with products like the PlayStation 5 Pro. This console brings enhancements such as advanced ray tracing and a crisper 4K display, ensuring games look their best. The PS5 Pro is designed as an all-digital console, but there’s an option to add a disc drive for those looking to play games or watch movies from physical discs. With up to 8K resolution and support for cutting-edge technologies like Wi-Fi 7, Sony seems committed to maintaining its lead in gaming tech, despite the hiccups in its loyalty program.
