There are currently hot rumors that Sony may soon allow its users to change their PSN IDs.
If journalist Jason Schreier is to be believed, one of the biggest changes for PSN users could be on the horizon.
PSN names cannot be changed: Since the PlayStation Network started in 2006, many PlayStation users have wondered why it is not possible to change their PSN name after creation. Although this feature has been at the top of users’ wish lists for years, Sony has not yet granted this wish, much to the dismay of many.
The problem: As a result, many players are stuck with a name they chose possibly 12 years ago, which they may now find inappropriate, embarrassing, or just plain bad.
Sony’s biggest competitor is ahead: In contrast, competitors Microsoft allows users to change their online name on Xbox Live as often as they like – the first time for free, then for a fee that varies by region (around $8 in the USA).
Game developers report that they are preparing for changes to PSN names
In his latest article, Jason Schreier reports that several developers of multiplayer games have expressed to Kotaku that they are preparing for upcoming changes to PSN names – 12 years after the service started!
Developers report about the feature: Three different people from three different development studios said that they have been working in recent months to fix bugs, revise settings, and ensure that their games are compatible with Sony’s plans. The sources wanted to remain anonymous, as they are not allowed to discuss this with the press.
A fourth person, who works for a game studio, shared a photo from an internal Sony document showing the option “Edit Username” on a PSN profile. The document is said to be a guide for changing the user name in the PlayStation Network (PSN), according to the source.
When can we expect this feature? It is not known when exactly this feature will be released. However, the game developers emphasized that it could be a time-consuming process to retroactively adapt old multiplayer titles due to technical reasons. Sony itself has not yet responded to a request from Kotaku.
A rough indication might be the statement of a high-ranking Sony official. When Sony boss Shawn Layden was asked about possible changes to PSN names at the last PlayStation Experience conference (PSX) in December 2017, he replied, “You won’t have to ask me this question at the next PSX anymore.”
This comment presumably aimed to suggest that this feature should be introduced by December 2018. However, two weeks ago, Sony announced that there would be no PlayStation Experience this year, which may have consequently extended the timeline for the release.
By the way: The name change would not be the first change that Sony would implement after many years of resistance. Recently, Sony also finally conceded on crossplay: Crossplay between PS4 and Xbox One is coming to Fortnite
What do you think? Would you be happy about this option?
