Sony Reveals Substantial Changes to PlayStation Stars

Sony revealed a number of changes to its digital collectible, and credit back program, PlayStation Stars.

Starting Oct. 24, players will now have 12 months to use their PlayStation Stars points before they expire. This is down from the current time of 24 months. Please note, points in both situations expire at the end of the final month over the actual day said points were earned.

Since players must be an active PlayStation Plus subscriber to earn points from purchases, it vastly reduces what non-subscribers can purchase. Under the current system it was theoretically possible for a person to earn enough free points in 24 months to receive a $5 voucher. With the new one this will only be true if Sony increases the number of free point opportunities, which is unlikely.

As a result, points will only be useful for purchasing digital collectibles. Unfortunately, this too will vary given collectibles start at 200 points, and go up to 800.

In addition to reducing non-subscriber rewards, any subscription purchased via PlayStation Network will no longer give points. This change goes into effect Mar. 1, 2025.

Given PlayStation Stars gave 10 percent of the amount spent back in points, many viewed it as a slight additional discount on things like PlayStation Plus. The amount is also less generous than it sounds.

Currently, PlayStation Plus subscriptions start at $80 plus tax if applicable. PlayStation Stars has a 250 points to $1 exchange rate. Without including tax, 800 points would translate to $3.20. Effectively a 4 percent discount.

Sony also warns players will need to agree to these new terms to continue using PlayStation Stars. Anyone who does not will have their PlayStation Stars account “cancelled” until they do. Cancelled accounts will also not earn points on any purchases made before agreeing to the new terms.

The message, which can be found in full below, mentions this will begin when the changes go into effect on Oct. 24. However, in preparation for this post I was required to agree to the new terms before I could access PlayStation Stars, so that might not be entirely accurate.

We wanted to let you know that we are updating the PlayStation Stars™ Terms of Service, and your action is needed.

Starting October 24, 2024, you must accept the updated PlayStation Stars Terms of Service to be a PlayStation Stars member.

What is Changing?

Effective October 24, 2024:

  ● New Points earned will expire at the end of the month plus 12 months from the date on which they appear in your PlayStation Stars account balance. Points earned prior to October 24, 2024 will continue to expire at the end of the month plus 24 months from the date on which they appear in your PlayStation Stars account balance. 

Effective March 1, 2025:

  ● The definition of “Eligible Purchases” will be updated to exclude all subscription payments made on PlayStation Store (including any initial or renewal subscription payments for PlayStation Plus or any other subscription service), which means that Points will no longer be earned on subscription payments. 

What Do You Need to Do?

Starting October 24, 2024, please log-into PlayStation Stars on PlayStation App or online. There, you’ll be prompted to review and accept the updated Terms of Service to remain a PlayStation Stars member, or decline and cancel your PlayStation Stars membership. If you do not make any selection, you will be considered a canceled member until you accept the updated Terms of Service.

Your acceptance enables you to continue accessing and participating in
PlayStation Stars, including completing Campaigns, keeping your Points balance, earning new Points, and maintaining your Level. If you do not accept the updated Terms of Service, your membership will be canceled, during which time you will lose access to Points and benefits, and you will not be able to earn additional Points. You can view the “cancel my membership” FAQs for more information on what you can expect if you choose to cancel. 

If you cancel, we are sorry to see you go, but remember that you can re-join at any time by accepting the updated Terms of Service, at which point you will regain access to your Points and benefits (if they have not expired based on their expiration date). 

We look forward to your continued PlayStation Stars membership. Thank you for being a PlayStation Stars member.