Sony Renames PlayStation Network

[Mike Kayatta]

Sony Renames PlayStation Network

Rebranding the service will make things "clearer and easier."

Sony has announced via a mass mailing to all PlayStation Network users that the aforementioned service will be renamed to the "Sony Entertainment Network," forever replacing the somewhat iconic (or at least, widely used) PSN acronym with the more pronounceable, yet less familiar, SEN. The change comes on February 7th, with the hope that people will now more easily associate the service with the company's full line of Sony products, while giving them the ability to use a single username and password for anything Sony related.

"The rebranding of PlayStation Network accounts to Sony Entertainment Network accounts is a change in name only," Sony said of the impending change. "Your username or password will not change, nor are we asking you to change them."

Actually, the only thing that Sony is asking people to do is look over a new Terms of Service and User Agreement. If you're a current PSN SEN subscriber, a copy of it should have already hit your inbox. Like usual, if you don't like it, you can no longer use PSN SEN.

"On Sony Computer Entertainment's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita systems, this rebranding will occur in connection with software updates for these devices. (Note, this change will not be applied to the PSP system at this time.)

"This transition is based on Sony's goal to enhance its unique digital entertainment offering," Sony continued. "As a series of these activities Sony started last September, PlayStation Network will be aligned with Sony Entertainment Network. This helps us get closer to our goal of establishing a global comprehensive network platform of services across games, movies, music and more, all accessible from one convenient account."

"The Sony Entertainment Network account also enables use of Sony's compelling non-game services such as Music Unlimited, Video Unlimited and PlayMemories Online (currently called Personal Space) across a variety of network-connected devices."

It's easy to look at this seemingly arbitrary change and think, why? Sony's losing a massive amount of money [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/115638-Sony-Takes-Massive-2-Billion-Third-Quarter-Loss] right now, so perhaps this is part of the new CEO's scheme to unify the company and return to profitability. Or maybe it just means that with everyone in the same database, next time Sony gets hacked it won't only be the gamers who get their personal information stolen.

Source: Eurogamer [http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-02-06-psn-accounts-renamed-sony-entertainment-network-accounts-tomorrow]

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[Daystar Clarion]

Wait, you mean Sony make the Playsation?

Wow, I sure am greatful they changed the name or I would have never known.

 

[Azuaron]

Speculation: Sony is going to get out of the console-making business.

 

[GonzoGamer]

Speculation: Sony is going to get out of the console-making business.

Yea. I've been saying that Sony seems like it wants to kill the Playstation brand but now I have little doubt.
As someone who owns a ps3 & psp but wont be getting a psp2 or a ps4, I don't think it'll be much of a loss. All I've gotten from the ps3 is a shrinking set of features and the worst ports ever made.
I think there will be a PS4 but it's going to be Sony's Dreamcast.

They've probably been planning this name change ever since PSN went back up after the beg hack.

 

[NLS]

As long as they don't change it again in a few years time (and then again). Like EA did with their Download Manager/Origin...
Companies need to find a service name that is futureproof and then stick with it.

 

[EvilPicnic]

As someone who has worked in education and healthcare, the SEN acronym for me just means 'Special Educational Needs'.

So no comparison there then.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

So putting everyone on the same network that got hacked huh? You'd better hope you've improved your defenses with a little more than duct tape Sony.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

*ahem* Psiyfiy *ahem*

Do you realise that this probably got someone paid more than your year's wages?

But it took an amateur hack job to convince them to spend money on encryption?

This is why people have no faith in corporations. Shit like this here.

 

[Versuvius]

Nonsensical change for a nonsensical reason.

 

[McMullen]

For some reason I'm reminded of how in Roller Coaster Tycoon if one of your coasters crashes and people don't feel it's safe anymore, you can just save it, sell it, and rebuild the exact same coaster, maybe with a different name, to get people to use it again.

Just a random thought.

 

[Fiz_The_Toaster]

I don't understand the change, but whatever.

As long as they don't change it again in a few years time (and then again). Like EA did with their Download Manager/Origin...
Companies need to find a service name that is futureproof and then stick with it.

Seriously, that whole thing with EA was ridiculous.

Maybe they're trying to get away from the hacking incident that's attached to the PSN, that everyone just loves to bring up now and really need to stop, and maybe start clean.

 

[VanityGirl]

Well you know, the SEN is mightier.

Doesn't quite work, but still.

 

[Quiet Stranger]

I just hope they put up Paypal as an option, that'd be great.

 

[deathninja]

the SEN acronym for me just means 'Special Educational Needs'.

First thing that came to mind here too.

 

[Casual Shinji]

Somehow I figured I'd be more sad knowing that the Playstation brand is at death's door.

*shrugs*

 

[redisforever]

So, really, nothing new. Just a name change. I can live with that. But still, I'm using PSN. It's better. It just is. You want to change it, ok. Go ahead. I'll use PSN though. I wonder what will happen to all the games that in the menus say PSN. Mass update time?