You Will Finally Be Able To Change Your PSN ID...Sorta

Published: October 10, 2018 5:18 PM /

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Playstation_Network_Name_Change

If you asked any dedicated PlayStation fan what feature they wanted most from Sony, chances are it would be the ability to change their PSN ID.  While Smok3Killaz42069 was totally what represented you back in 2007, times have changed and with that, the need to update your name to something more respectable like WealthyFamilyMan123 may be necessary.

Well, the time has come and Sony has finally announced plans to allow you to adjust your PSN ID...sort of.  In a tweet from the PlayStation Twitter account this morning Sony states that "it's official: the ability to change your PSN Online ID is coming" and that the service will be rolling out into a test phase soon.  In an expanded post on the official Playstation blog its stated that the service will roll out to users who are currently part of the PS4 beta system software program and eventually everyone else in 2019.  Similar the Microsofts gamertag renaming service, the first name change will be free and any after that will come at a fee of $9.99, or $4.99 for PSPlus users.

However, please note not all games and applications for PS4, PS3 and PS Vita systems are guaranteed to support the online ID change, and users may occasionally encounter issues or errors in certain games.
An interesting take away from this is that the name change might not show up across all titles in the PlayStation library. Sony states that "This feature is compatible with PS4 games originally published after April 1, 2018, and a large majority of the most-played PS4 games that were released before this date."  This may support the long unconfirmed rumor that the reason gamers haven't been able to change their PSN ID's as easily as they can on Xbox Live, is due to how the PlayStation Network was built for the PS3 way back when. Sony also states that the name change may cause issues with older titles and you will be granted one free revert back to your original name, no word if that's the same "free" name change you get, but the separation would appear to indicate they are separate uses. As of now, there is information on how this name change can effect trophy data if it does in anyway.

While this is a much-anticipated feature, the drawbacks from this name change program are concerning and confusing at best. Regardless of its unforeseen issues, there are many who will definitely be changing their PSN ID from their high school nick-name to something more adult now that they're nearing 30.

We've reached out to Sony for more information and will update if we get a response.

What do you think about this? Are you going to change your PSN ID? Is your current one embarrassing and regretful? What's the worst name you've seen on the PlayStation Network?  Let us know in the comments below!

 

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Nick Maillet TechRaptor
| Former Lead Video Editor

When im not playing games Im working on TV shows as a colorist. You can find me on twitter posting pictures of my rabbit and other useless junk.