PlayStation Store has removed cross-buy ownership for the PS Plus Essential version of Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone’s farm life sim, Stardew Valley.
Twitter/X user Wario64 has shared details regarding an unexpected situation Stardew Valley on the PlayStation Store for those who redeemed the game as a monthly title offered via PS Plus Essential. Sony Interactive Entertainment appears to have quietly removed Cross-Buy ownership of the PS Vita version, and has also sent out refund emails to PS Plus subscribers who accessed the game on the handheld.
Wario64 reported that users who originally redeemed Stardew Valley when it was offered through PS Plus Essential found that it was treated as a cross-buy title up until recently, granting ownership to both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita. However, Sony now seems to be revoking that digital ownership and reclassifying the game as subscription-only access. In other words, the license is now tied strictly to an active PS Plus membership rather than being treated as a permanent digital purchase.
This appears to have triggered automated email notices about a “refund request,” even if no monetary transaction was involved. The email sent out by Sony Interactive Entertainment states that a refund for Stardew Valley had been processed in the amount of $0.00, implying the system simply adjusted the license. The email thanks the user for “contacting PlayStation Support,” despite no request being initiated.
Wario64 noted that the PS Vita version still launches on their PS Vita, where it was previously downloaded, and it remains in the download history. It isn’t clear whether Sony has disabled new PS Vita purchases of the game or if the continued functionality is simply because the title was already installed locally. It’s worth noting that, with the PS Vita storefront in a semi-supported state, these kinds of inconsistencies aren’t uncommon.
Stardew Valley is available across Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation Vita, iOS, and Android.
