While PlayStation Stars is being phased out, it seems like Sony is already cooking up a replacement for PS5 fans. This isn’t a vague rumor or leak from a questionable source, either, as the hint at a new PS5 reward system comes via a special page on the PlayStation Store.
For those who missed the boat on PlayStation Stars, it was a reward system tied directly to the PlayStation app. Players gained levels from earning PlayStation Trophies and purchasing full games from the PS Store, and said levels brought benefits. At max rank, players gained access to priority chats with PlayStation customer service, and gamers could rack up points from completing certain challenges. These tasks included downloading and playing new PS Plus games, beating games on harder difficulties, playing “mystery games” based on vague hints, and playing PlayStation exclusives within their initial release window.
With their points, players could redeem a selection of full games, digital collectibles based on a huge range of video game franchises, or PlayStation Store wallet funds to purchase whatever they please. Obviously, it’s that final option that proved most popular, with players regularly redeeming their earned points for “free” money whenever they had the chance. Many theorized that Sony losing too much money on these free wallet funds was to blame for the looming shutdown of PS Stars, and the death of Sony Rewards before that. Now, though, it seems like this had nothing to do with PS Stars’ shutdown, as wallet credits will seemingly be making a comeback.
PlayStation Stars will be fully shutdown on November 2, 2026. While players can redeem their points until this end date, they cannot earn new points or unlock any new digital collectibles anymore, with the service basically already dying back on July 23, 2025.
PlayStation 5’s New Reward System Could Be All About Wallet Funds
Reddit user streetxrat94 deserves credit for pointing out the PlayStation Store page pertaining to this supposed reward system. The page features an image of a wallet with the words “wallet credit” and the sacred symbols beside it, matching the usual PS Store visual theme. There’s an option to add the credits to one’s wishlist, and it’s listed as “announced” despite there being no official info on when it will arrive or how the wallet credit can be obtained. The release date is also described as “to be determined,” but a safe prediction would be near the end of 2026 when PS Stars is fully gone. Sony has stated that it would “evolve” its reward system and replace PS Stars with something, and this could be the first hint at said replacement.
This is obviously an interesting find, especially when paired with a few replies to the Reddit post. One user notes that this was found the same day they got a message from Sony about PS Stars expiring, adding to the idea that this store page appearance could be tied to some reward system tinkering on the back end. Another points out that, based on the add-ons option, this “Wallet Credits” page is seemingly being treated as an application. There’s already an option to add funds to one’s PlayStation wallet, so an entirely new application wouldn’t make sense unless it was tied to something else, like earnable wallet funds. How these wallet credits could potentially be earned is anyone’s guess, but there are a few things that make sense:
- Players could automatically get wallet funds after they spend a certain amount of money on the PS Store, sort of like a cash back system.
- Players could slowly accumulate wallet funds by earning PlayStation Trophies, making achievements more desirable.
- Players could get wallet funds by completing special tasks, surveys, and so on created by Sony.
- Wallet funds could be tied to PlayStation Tournaments, a feature that sneaks under the radar for many gamers.
No matter what approach is taken, the idea of a new reward system possibly being introduced is exciting, especially since it will seemingly keep the earnable wallet funds so many gamers appreciated. While flawed (digital collectibles not being viewable on PS5 consoles and only through the mobile app was a big mistake), many appreciated PS Stars and would like to see a replacement. For now, all players can do is wait patiently for confirmation from Sony, as there’s nothing to go off of beyond this strange PlayStation Store page.
