While PlayStation Stars is being phased out, it looks like Sony is already preparing a replacement for PlayStation Stars. PS5 Pan. This isn't just a vague rumor or even a leak from a questionable source, as hints about the new PS5 rewards system come via a special page on the PlayStation Store.
For those who missed the boat on PlayStation Stars, it was a rewards system tied directly to the PlayStation app. Players earned levels by earning PlayStation trophies and purchasing the full game from the PS Store, and said the levels brought benefits. At the highest tier, players had access to priority chat through PlayStation customer service, and gamers could earn points by completing certain challenges. These tasks included downloading and playing new PS Plus games, beating games on harder difficulties, playing “mystery games” based on vague clues, and playing PlayStation exclusive games within the initial launch window.
Players can use their points to buy full games, digital collectibles based on various video game franchises, or anything else they want using PlayStation Store wallet funds. The final option, which has clearly proven to be the most popular, is for players to exchange their regularly earned points for “free” money whenever they have the opportunity. Many theorized that Sony losing too much money in free wallet funds was responsible for the closure of PS Stars and Sony Rewards before that. However, it looks like this has nothing to do with the closure of PS Stars, as it now appears that wallet credits will be coming back.
PlayStation Stars will end permanently on November 2, 2026. Players will be able to redeem their points until this end date, but they will no longer be able to earn new points or unlock new digital collectibles, and the service will already end by default on July 23, 2025.
PlayStation 5's new rewards system may be all about your wallet funds.
Reddit user streetxrat94 deserves credit for pointing out the PlayStation Store page related to this virtual rewards system. This page features an image of a wallet with the words “Wallet Credits” and a sacred symbol next to it, consistent with the general PS Store visual theme. There is an option to add credits to your wishlist, and they are listed as “announced” despite there being no official information on when they will arrive or how you can get your wallet credits. The release date is also described as “undetermined”, but it's a safe prediction that it will be around the end of 2026, when PS Stars will be gone for good. Sony has said it will “evolve” the rewards system and replace PS Stars with something else, and this could be the first hint at a replacement.
This is certainly an interesting discovery. Especially when seen in conjunction with some of the responses to the Reddit post. One user discovered this the same day they received a message from Sony saying their PS Stars were expiring, adding the idea that this store page display may be related to some rewards system issues in the backend. Another thing to note is that this “Wallet Credits” page is ostensibly being treated as an application, depending on the add-on option. There is already an option to add funds to your PlayStation Wallet, so a completely new application would be meaningless without being tied to something else, such as obtainable wallet funds. How you'll get these wallet credits is anyone's guess, but here are a few things that might make sense.
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Players can automatically get wallet funds after spending a certain amount on the PS Store, like a kind of cashback system.
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Players can slowly build up wallet funds by earning PlayStation trophies, making achievements more desirable.
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Players can earn wallet funds by completing special tasks, surveys, etc. created by Sony.
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Wallet funds can be linked to PlayStation tournaments, a feature that goes unnoticed by many gamers.
Regardless of the approach taken, the idea that new reward systems may be introduced is interesting. Especially since it seems like a lot of gamers keep their favorite wallet funds. Although it has its flaws (it was a big mistake that digital collectibles can't be viewed on the PS5 console, only on the mobile app), many people appreciate PS Stars and would like to see a replacement. For now, all players can do is patiently wait for confirmation from Sony, as there's nothing else to do but this strange PlayStation Store page.
