Topic: Changing ID Question

So I have a bit of an OCD problem regarding Trophies. I have so, so many low percentage games on my trophy list and it really frustrates me. Of course, the easy option would be to go back and play these games again, but many of them I just can’t motivate myself to go back and play.

I’m aware of the ability to hide trophies on your list, but they still don’t hide them on my own list so I can still see them there, laughing at me.

So I’ve considered creating a new account and starting over. But I wondered if I change my ID and associated email address, can I then re-use my ID on a new account with that same email address? And also what would happen in regards to my PSN subscription? And links to social media?

I know it’s a bit of an extreme to do but it’s frustrating the hell out of me, to the point where I’m refusing to buy new games that I really want to play before the trophy list is cleaned up. But I just can’t get back into many of those games

@TilleyBCFC That sounds like quite an problem you have there. If you’d rather have a clean slate trophy-wise, then making a new account will certainly accomplish that. As far as how to accomplish this, this is my understanding of how it works — I believe you can recycle your email address to the new account, but not your old original PSN ID. That name will forever be attached to your original account, I believe. Sony has built in the ability to switch back to your original name at any time after a change, so it can’t be used elsewhere. Also, the purchases and subscriptions are linked to your original account and as far as I know they are not transferable to another account. You could create a new subaccount on the same PS4 and through family sharing the new account will have access to the purchases and downloads of the original account, but that first account has to be kept active on the machine. I think the links to social media can be severed though and then re-linked to your new account.
So if your willing to keep your old account on the PS4 as a sort of ‘dummy’ account to keep access to purchases then you can achieve most of your goals except for keeping your PSN name. It seems a lot of hassle though. If you don’t have many purchases then it would be easier to just delete the account off the machine and start over. But first change your email address on it and unlink your Facebook, Twitch, etc.

I too hate having to look at those 1% and 2% trophy completion rates. I hope they come up with a way to delete things off your trophy list.
If you play a lot of games, eventually the games you abandoned long ago will drop down out of sight, so maybe just focus on playing games you like and it will take care of itself. If you don’t know if you will like a game and want to try it but don’t want the game to load into your trophy list and be stuck there forever, try the game out first as a “guest” on your PS4. Any trophies and progress earned will be erased when you log off as long as you don’t log into an account when playing as a guest. I know that doesn’t help you now, but for future reference it’ll help you keep your trophy list cleaner going forward.

@TilleyBCFC You have a problem in that your main aim in gaming was to get as many Trophies as possible originally. That has now metamorphasised into trying to have as few remaining Trophies to mop up as possible.

Getting a new account won't solve this conundrum as you will still buy games on your next account which will still hold empty trophy icons.

Alas you should now rethink your problem. Why not attempt to hit 500 Trophies in the next 6 months? You won't get that sitting on saturated games.

Sell the games you won't ever play again and with the money get 2 dead easy but good platinums (like spiderman or burnout Paradise). Do a bit of research first to make sure whichever 2 games you pickup, the Trophies are not missable and do not use a guide unless you are in mop up mode way after the credits have rolled.

That way you can mentally accept the trade off was worth it. Enjoy the games without worrying about Trophies - but get the plat at the end of the game anyway. Win win.

@TilleyBCFC @themcnoisy Any Telltale like games are also good for easy platinums.