Sony to launch new PlayStation Stars loyalty program later this year

Sony will be rolling out a new rewards loyalty program for PlayStation users sometime later this year, with an official launch date as yet unannounced.

The service, known as PlayStation Stars, will be free, and once users join they can start earning rewards points for completing activities such as earning specific game trophies, winning online tournaments, and in some cases, simply playing specific games. PlayStation Stars members will also automatically earn loyalty points for making purchases in the PlayStation Store.

The program seems very similar to Microsoft Rewards, which is available on Xbox. Xbox Gamers can already earn daily points for unlocking achievements, as well as completing quests, and earn bonus points for keeping a streak. Those points can then be redeemed for Microsoft or partner gift cards, and entries into sweepstakes. The Xbox Game Pass app on Xbox also offers ways to earn Microsoft Rewards points, too.

In Sony’s case, a monthly “check-In” campaign will reward users for simply playing any game. But what exactly are these rewards?, you may be wondering. According to the official PlayStation blog, “Points can be redeemed in a catalog that may include PSN wallet funds and select PlayStation Store products.”

Introducing PlayStation Stars, an all-new loyalty program celebrating players that’s free to join.

First details: https://t.co/0qMpStwE0N pic.twitter.com/V7TTofX0Rb

— PlayStation (@PlayStation) July 14, 2022

The blog also mentions the introduction of something it calls “digital collectibles.”

Also, as part of PlayStation Stars, we are unveiling a new type of reward called “digital collectibles.” Collectibles are as diverse as our portfolio of products and franchises. They are digital representations of things that PlayStation fans enjoy, including figurines of beloved and iconic characters from games and other forms of entertainment, as well as cherished devices that tap into Sony’s history of innovation. There will always be a new collectible to earn, an ultra rare collectible to strive for, or something surprising to collect just for fun.

Could they be actually talking about NFTs? In an interview with The Washington Post, vice president of network advertising, loyalty and licensed merchandise Grace Chen stated that

They aren’t non-fungible tokens, despite also being digital and collectible…it’s definitely not NFTs. Definitely not. You can’t trade them or sell them. It is not leveraging any blockchain technologies and definitely not NFTs.

Nevertheless, PlayStation Stars will no doubt be a welcome feature for PlayStation fans when it launches sometime in 2022.