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What Happens if You Delete a Game on a PS3?

If you accidentally delete a game form your PlayStation Network, you have no reason to panic as the game itself can be easily restored. If you want to delete game files from your PS3 -- such as files collected from a hard disc game -- make sure to back them up before doing so. The more you know about the deleting guidelines regarding a PS3, the more future headaches you can avoid.

The Delete
- If you download a game to your PS3 through the PlayStation Network (PSN), it is yours forever. This means that you can delete it whenever you want without fear of never being able to retain it. To retain it, simply access your download history. Highlight the game you have downloaded before and it will reinstall onto your system. However, once the game is reinstalled, it will not contain any accomplishments -- or data -- which means you have to start the game over.
PlayStation Plus
- If you subscribe to PlayStation Plus, you can download games free as well as additional content, such as demos, video game add-ons and free video game trials. However, once your membership runs out, the game data will be automatically deleted from your account. Unlike games downloaded from the PSN, you cannot recover them unless you reactivate your membership with PlayStation Plus. You can obtain a membership for $50, which will give you access for a year. For $18 you can have access to PlayStation Plus for three months. All prices are based upon the time of this publication.
Purpose
- The main reason to delete a game on a PS3 is to make room for other games and content. Your PS3 hard drive has a limited amount of memory capacity that varies based upon the model you purchase. Once all that memory is used up, you will not be able to save game progress or install new games. If possible, purchase a memory stick or flash drive and save your game data onto that. This way, you can free up space on your hard drive and not worry about needing to delete a game. If you delete a saved game from your PS3 hard drive -- or delete your user profile -- all game data will be lost.
Warning
- If the PlayStation Network is hacked -- as it was in April 2011 -- your game data can be deleted in the process. After your system is hacked, you cannot restore this data. A group known as "Anonymous" was accused of hacking the PS3 and causing the PlayStation Network to shut down. However, some members of the group dispute this claim. Regardless, after the system was hacked, video game content was deleted forever.

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