Chatter about the ability to change your PSN name has been bubbling away for years, but a new report from Kotaku suggests it could finally be on the way. Having received tips from several anonymous sources, the publication reports that these developers are currently making preparations for the oft-requested functionality, and are expecting it to arrive soon.
One source even provided Kotaku with an image of some internal documentation that featured a screenshot showing an "Edit username" option on a PSN profile page. The other sources all explained that they were tweaking their games in order to accommodate the ability for players to change their PSN ID. Apparently, retrofitting the new feature into older games is no small task, thanks to how PlayStation Network accounts are attached to your username, rather than some other measure.
We still don't know precisely when Sony is looking to introduce PSN name changing, so it's still up in the air, but it's interesting to hear other developers coming forward and more or less confirming it's coming. Hopefully we'll hear more soon.
[source kotaku.com]
Comments 41
Finally it’s coming!
I wonder if this spells the end for PS3's online. Be careful what you wish for.
I'm also thinking it will be the end to PS3 online, because every chance they make they say it can't be done on PS3. Try changed the story style for the PS3 ready for PS4 and can't changed it back apparently. He PS3 store hasn't seen a new update for months it's always FIFA 18 all the time and there's hardly any sales on anymore. The name change will be probably the last nail on PS3 coffin which is gonna make me angry because I have so much in my backlog with some having online and still having some players around. And there are some who will buy a PS3 now because there cheap games are cheap and it's free online.
I've always wondered why it's such a hard ship to change it on Sony's platform when it's been doable on Xbox since the 360's launch (or close to it at least)
Woooh! Finally! I’ve been waiting for this the moment I got a freaking PSN account.
@get2sammyb I kinda doubt it. If it went offline well before MS the backlash and loss of trust would be huge. I’d lose a lot of faith in Sony and why’d he in ages place. Lose the trust or have people be angry that name changes won’t come after being announced. I’d honestly lose a lot of trust in Sony after all the online shutdowns in addition to this. Or if they announced it, it could get cancelled after a backlash. This could do so much for MS.... even I’d consider the jump if the 360’s online doesn’t go down for a long time.... But no Sont first party, might make it hard to want a next-gen system. Oh dear.
I'd brace yourselves if I was you.
I'll be amazed if Sony just switch off the PS3 servers cos it's going to cause a big backlash and people will rightly ask questions about what happens to their purchases and opportunities to buy PS3 games on PSN.
People care about as much about PlayStation 3 and name changes as they care about Cross-Play in Fortnite.
Answer: an insignificant amount.
Somewhere JustinBieberForever98 sighs in relief.
Finally ! Always believe in Layden 👌🏾
@get2sammyb If that's the case, I wonder if it could also mean problems for other areas of PSN functionality on the PS3 and Vita, such as trophies or even online purchases.
Name changes? SHUT UP! Finally I’ll be able to change from Aces73High. By the time I bought my first Vita shortly after launch, AcesHigh (and a number of variables there of) had already been taken, so, like a prize plonker, I nonchalantly 'tossed' my birth year in the middle without a care in the world.
Yep, I was too excited to start Uncharted: Golden Abyss to simply pause for a few seconds to be absolutely sure. Unsurprisingly, I began regretting my snap decision inside of a day. Sure, it wasn’t the end of the world, but I’ve still managed to low-key blame Nathan-sodding-Drake ever since.
Finally... the crying can stop.
@Kidfried I think more people care about name changes in any aspect way more than cross play.
Good news for those who have been wanting to change their PSN names. I'm good with mine as is.
@Cutmastavictory Excuse me! I was not crying... I simply threw a couple dozen toys out of my overprivileged pram.
I will never understand why this is in such high demand. If, in your youth, you chose user names such as DarkFarter257, a$$machinkwakkwak, or feetuseater, you should be bound to those names for all eternity.
If you can't handle awkward questions about the origin of those names from your wives and children with good humor, I don't have much sympathy
Name changing doesn't bother me at all because unlike a lot of others it seems i actually thought about my user name and created a sensible one
of course the only real thing you would lose is trophies if you created a new one because as long as your old one is on the system you can still use any DLC or games you have brought so just create a new profile if you username is that bad
When Shawn Layden says something will happen, it'll happen.
Wouldn't it be easier to just add a layer on top of your PSN ID? Keep the ID as your ID, but add a name you're allowed to change.
If this is the end of PS3 online, gamers will have to move over to PS4 editions of their favourite games.
Hmm, this could spell a much-needed sales boost for GTA V
Is OG_N00bK1llAh420 taken?
@LaNooch1978 Damn! I spent hours coming up with something that edgy. How am I going to intimidate new players and glorify a life of crime while referencing drug culture? Man that name was perfect.
Got my Psn day of release of ps3. Love it still no need to change it. NEOTDS rules the world 😂
Doesn't bother me tbh, had the same name since pkaystation started on 1995, for logging into playstation forum etc
I'm not really sure that a change of PSN name should require anything from developers at all. Surely it would all be done on Sony's servers (either via the website or the PS4), and a game just uses whatever name it's given in the appropriate system variable?
I think if this is going to happen then they should also delete all usernames that are trophy level one. Or haven't logged in for say 5 or more years to free up usernames for people that will actually use them. Every name i like is taken by someone who is trophy level one.
Oh dear god at last. I thought I was entering my password for my username and I've been stuck with it for eight years!
Genuine question as I've seen this alot recently but what's the big deal with wanting changing the name? Is it down to poor choice from rushing to set the ps4 up or tastes changing as to growing up etc?
@kidfunkadelic83 I can speak for myself but my PSN ID is a whole jumble of letters with no meaning at all. I set it up back in 2007 when I got my PS3. It was also the first time I'd ever dealt with things such as emails, usernames, online passwords etc so I was completely inexperienced with it all.
After fair number of failed attempts at a username I just got frustrated and just hammered in a series of letters not knowing I'd be stuck with it for all these years. It isn't a hugely massive deal to me but it would nice to have a name that's a bit more representative of myself.
@Neolit Perhaps, but as someone who has worked in database management, I don't see how it could be particularly complicated either.
@adf86 I get it now. Thanks for clearing it up. It can be hard to find something that represents yourself especially when the previous 5 attempts have all been taken.
Hope it doesn't mean the end of PS3 online I know PS4 has been out for a long time but it's not like the PS3 is useless man. I've got 2 PS4's and a PS3 and I still get plenty of use out of the ol PS3. It's a great console.
Awesome, this way I can make my name more uniform on all platforms.
Change my name? It is not really that bad. Maybe just make a change to part of it. Change the whole name? Fine, but to what?
I have some fear that PSN may have a meltdown with hundreds of thousands or more attempting to change their names the first day. Then too i have 5 years of GTA5 online with an accumulation of property, vehicles, bank, and stats that i have no desire to have any problems accessing because i changed my PSN name.
@Kidfunkadelic83 No problem mate, like I say it isn't a massive deal to me but would be nice to change it. Providing there isn't a huge downside.
Called it right after reading about cross play (and keeping in mind the recent PS Now downloads). John Kodera really is our Phil Spencer, with some good ol' Japanese modesty keeping him behind the scenes, or maybe he's just shy.
Well mines ellsworth004, I can live with that....
@get2sammyb cannot see them turning off PS3 online without having full backwards compatibility which they keep saying is not able to be done
Unless it's coming also would they not leave this till ps5 when I 100% think will have full backwards compatibility so they don't get a backlash and give MS a leg up I can see there adds now hitting Sony for that
I wonder if this will just be something on ps4 and future ps5 while the PS3 will keep the user name you have now or it will be a nickname option that will show as your user name while keeping the old one for the account
Playstation V-R or PS VVR?
@get2sammyb Alll I want to knwo is, if the PS3 online is killed, can we still buy/download and install PS3 games?
Also same question for patches.
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