PlayStation 3 to be Discontinued in New Zealand

It's truly beginning. It's hard to believe when a console is becoming phased out, especially when you had said console for a good portion of your life. It grew up with you, shared some good times and funnies, but now, the console must say goodbye, as it will be lost in the flow of time.

And it begins in New Zealand. According to an article by ThoseGamers Mighty Ape, a New Zealand games retailer, has revealed on Facebook that NZ stores will no longer receive PlayStation 3 consoles from Sony. So basically, whatever these retailers have left will be... it. No more will be sold. Just like that, the PlayStation 3 is beginning to be phased out. Though the specific post has since been deleted, a Sony Computer Entertainment New Zealand representative confirmed the announcement:
 

"SCENZS will not be shipping anymore PlayStation 3 consoles to its retailers; however, the platform is still available in retail outlets throughout NZ and being supported with peripherals, great new releases and back catalogue software."

More than likely, this is in response to the overwhelming success of the PlayStation 4 in New Zealand, especially in comparison to the lackluster sales of the PlayStation 3. Then again, the PlayStation has had a long run in New Zealand, having launched in March of 2007 over there. Though this is no real indicator on the discontinuation of the console outside of New Zealand, it's still important to note, as it is a discontinuation of a major console. My guess is that it won't be too long, give or take another year before other countries follow suit.

Though I wonder if Final Fantasy XIV will drop support for the PlayStation 3 when that happens. Hrm...