Cross-buy on PS Vita/PS3

Lore & Background

In the world of Sly Cooper, the cross-buy feature mirrored the idea of a master thief having multiple escape routes—players could seamlessly switch between the big-screen PS3 heist and the portable PS Vita adventure without losing progress. This was especially fitting for a series about planning and adaptability, as it allowed fans to take the Cooper Gang's time-traveling capers on the go. The feature was marketed as a way to keep the adventure alive whether at home or away, reinforcing the franchise's theme of mobility and cunning.

In Their Own Story

The night was quiet in Paris, but Bentley's fingers flew across his laptop. 'Sly, I've cracked it—the cross-buy signal is live,' he whispered. Sly grinned, adjusting his cane. 'So I can swipe the clockwork heart on the big screen, then pick up the trail on the Vita while I'm on the train?' 'Exactly,' Bentley said. 'One purchase, two platforms. The Thievius Raccoonus never had it so good.' Murray revved the van. 'Let's roll, boys—time to steal some cross-platform glory!'

Reader's Guide

Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time was developed by Sanzaru Games and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita. The cross-buy feature was announced prior to release, allowing players to buy the game once and play it on both systems. This was part of Sony's broader cross-buy program that included select first-party titles. The feature was well-received by fans and critics for adding value and flexibility, though it was limited to digital purchases through the PlayStation Store.

Did You Know?

• Cross-buy for Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time was announced at Gamescom 2012.
• The feature required a PlayStation Network account and digital purchase to activate.
• Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time was one of the few third-party games to support cross-buy at launch.
• The cross-buy offer was available for a limited time after release, not indefinitely.