UPDATE: On November 17th (Pacific Time), the PlayStation network will undergo maintenance. Once this maintenance window has completed, the new policy will apply. If you want to purchase content under the current rules, please do so before this maintenance begins on November 17th.
We’d like to inform you of some upcoming changes to the usage policies for PlayStation Network game content. As of November 18, 2011, the number of devices that can be activated on one PlayStation Network account for game content purchased from the PlayStation Store will be updated as follows:
For game content purchased after November 18, 2011, a new policy will apply and the number of devices that can be activated will be as follows:
- PS3: Users will be able to play the game on up to 2 activated PS3 systems.
- PSP: Users will be able to play the game on up to 2 activated PSP systems.
Please note that this update will not affect game content purchased before November 18. The PSP rights include PSP-1000/2000/3000 series as well as the PSPgo system.
PlayStation Network users are able to change the activation setting through each device, and Sony Computer Entertainment plans to provide a new PlayStation Network account management website where users will be able to deactivate particular devices attached to their PlayStation Network account via their PC.
For more details on how to activate/deactivate the devices, please visit here or contact consumer services.
“+ BeechV35Pilot on November 4th, 2011 at 6:38 am said:
Damn, I have three PS3s at home. This is very disappointing.”
This is who you are affecting, Sony. Not pirates. Pirates already hacked your hardware. When will you and other big names out there learn that you can not stop piracy, period, end of story.
Here’s a couple things you need to keep in mind.
1. Copy protection hinders legitimate users. Console gaming is not as bad as PC gaming for this, but it’s still not good. It is best to allow more freedom than less. This will cause less confusion, you will achieve a loyal base of fans, and you will save money on tech support and customer support.
2. Sell games for less. In a recent study that Gabe Newell from Valve talked about, it was found that games that had a price drop which was heavily advertised cause an increase of profit of 30 TIMES NORMAL. That’s 30 TIMES MORE MONEY. After the sale, sales went back down to normal levels. THEY DID NOT CANNIBALIZE FUTURE SALES.
Basically, gamers love freedom and deals. We do love to give you our money for your games. The problem of piracy is largely imagined.
You know what else is frightfully funny? You don’t see STEAM doing this. No wonder PC gaming is taking over. You guys are dropping the ball here.
Ok I know I’m late to comment on this but if someone could please answer this question it would be much appreciated. I’m going to be honest, I bought the Call of Duty map packs and game shared them to a friend. Even though I think Activision can live without his 15 dollars, I told him that he could only have them for a few weeks and that he had to promise to deacgivate my name when I needed it. But of course he avoids and ignores me and so far I’ve still been civil and actually pretty cool about it but I’m starting to get angry. So I’m wondering if I will be able to deactivate my account and remove all of my old stuff off of HIS ps3 via pc. because I don’t even want him to have my old stuff on his Ps3. Sorry about the long story, I’m just aggravated .But if I can do that from the new website I will so happy. Also since we can only have two active Ps3s why not let us change out PSN IDs. I would even pay to do it.
hey i do think that i would be better if you guys did do 3 because 5 was to much i do also have three at home and i download all off my game and add on’s to all of them so all of mine are the same and if i’m in a differant room in my house all i have to do turn one on now i have sit and thing witch one or two do i want to download the game to or i have to go and active or deactive one of them so the game can be played on a differant one os this good and it really sucks too and the people that have more than two knows what i’m talking about if you need to do this then take two and leave it at 3 and not 5
First let me say Karen you have the greatest avatar ever and where do i get it. GATOR NATION! Secondly as an owner of 3 ps3’s I understand why this happened to many people stealing from psn and calling it game sharing. I commend you as a player who spends hundreds of dollars a month on the store good job. Simple solution for gamers make another account and but the game again if u need more than 2. Having the game on 5 ps3s is a small sacrifice to keep the greatest gaming company in the world alive and well. Thanks Sony.
games do cost to dam much come on game never use to cost 60.00 for one
+ SoraNeroSerrah what are you saying i have 3 of them
hows that going to help me out
IP address restriction on the 5 account system would be better for family’s, having to know purchase DLC content or games 3 times is ridiculous. And if a child moves out and wishes to take their PS3 with them then Sony could let them have a one time PSN id change to carry all their game and trophy content over.
@TheReaper357 I do as well its a needed sacrifice though there losing to much money from theieves or so called game sharers. From game sharers alone they lose billions a year. They have to do this or soon we’ll all be stuck playing crappy Xbox games.
@The reaper also games always did cost that much before there was a gamestop toys r us is where you would get your games and every ne nes game would be 50 to 60 dollars a piece the price hasn’t changed over the years people just forget.
This sounds good to me, provided that PC deactivation website is up ASAP so lost/stolen systems can be accounted for.
Are you kidding me. This sucks. I have one for my kid, one in the living room, and one in the bedroom my wanted it. This is bs. 3 should be the limit. I want this to change. What am I suppose to do pick over my wife or my kid.
I’m not really that disappointed about the news but it does open up a couple of concerns. Mainly, what happens to downloaded content when we deactivate a system and then reactivate it at a later time? Do we have to re-download everything again? I ask because internet speeds in my area aren’t that great (took me a few weeks just to finish downloading Infamous). It’s going to be a real pain if we have to re-download stuff when switching between multiple systems.
Hoping we can get an official response
Highly disappointing. I have 3 PS3’s scattered about the house, and now I’ll have to buy 2 copies of everything on 2 different accounts to use all of my systems fully.
I also have a PSP Go, PSP 3000, and will be getting a PSVita, and I’m going to have to discontinue using one of them. This is highly unfortunate because no one system does everything I need. Long airplane rides, or UMD discs? the PSP 3000 with the 2 extended battery packs for 18 hours of play. Quick trips out and playing on my TV with a PS3 controller? I use the PSP Go. The Vita will be used for intermediate trips and playing vita games, but unfortunately has no TV out and less than optimal battery life for long trips.
I’m going to have to choose which of my systems I get to use a game with, and any 2 I choose will limit my choices drastically.
Very, very disappointing, makes me question my decision to drop everything and get a Vita next year.
I am excited to be able to remove old systems off my account but YOU BETTER BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY DO SO! I do think it’s an absolutely horrible move to limit it to 2 because you are going to lose soo many customers who have big families. I see the positive provided I can finally use a PC to deactivate but many will only see the big 2 and possibly sell their system and never buy another Sony product. Please if it’s not too late raise it to 3 even though this doesn’t apply to me it will to many. It can’t hurt all that bad if 3 people have the same content it’s not as bad as the 5 and can’t deactivate problem where people share their accounts then their PS3 breaks.
I think I’ll sell off the 40gig since it’s noisy anyway and just make the 120gig mobile so I don’t have to deal with it. PS3 side solved, but that leaves the thorny PSP situation. 2 is not enough for dedicated PSP players. I’m just going to have to not take any long trips anymore I suppose, or just take the DSiXL along for long trips instead of the PSP3000.
We need 3 please.
SCENARIO: I have three PS3s. All of them have the same account and five downloaded games from that account. I buy a sixth game on the first PS3 and re-download it on the second. I can’t do that on the third because that goes over my limit of two PSs. So I de-activate the first PS3. All of them now have 6 downloaded games but only the second and third can play them. I bought one game(the sixth one) and now I can’t download or play any games on the first PS3 because I deactivated the ENTIRE system. Strange, the activation is per game and the de-activation per system making them practically useless.
Great news, I will get to deactivate my dead old 60 gig ps3. And my coudins ps3, and why can’t we donwnload on all the ps3’s in a single home by IP address ? I have 3 in this house and with cloud service I just need to move games around. Yey I finally will stop getting game sharing request from my friends list ,as if
So will our own system count as one activated system?
Oh well. I have 3 PS3’s in my house. My brother has been buying stuff off PS3 instead of Xbox because we can split the cost 3 ways and share it within our house. Too bad that won’t happen now. I normally support every decision Sony makes, but this one you had to choose between greedy as heck developers or your consumers, and you picked the wrong side. two accounts? two? 2?! it has been 5 this WHOLE time and you randomly restrict it to just 2. I’m glad my mom decided to buy all her Rockband music on a different account or she would of asked to sell the PS3 on the spot…..
Hey developers. MAKE BETTER GAMES, or lower your prices! Thats why you are not selling, its nothing else. How many side scrollers/ overhead zombie shooters/ and generic FPS engine based games are on the PSN store? and how many of them cost over 15 dollars? See the problem here?
OK so how will this affect my kids psp’s they have. I have three kids and three psp’s I want to get a ps Vita for myself. Does this mean they wont be ablt to play or do I now have to create 3 different accounts so they can each play a title? This just makes things too complicated. Now if I want to play something I have to activate that device. Then deactivate it so someone else in the family can play then reactivate it when I want to play. This is just a bummer. A real BIG let down.
But then that means I will have to have another account with either a credit card attached or use cards purchased from the store. AND now I have spent $100 a year for PS Plus. Now its not such a great deal.
@BerNardoMaN420
no offence but your friend is an a$$ and yes you will be able to deactivate any device that is attached to your account it says so in the article
@KAPADO
Yes i agree this should be IP address restricted for the 5 accounts, Family’s are being punished due to others miss-use. We are a family of 5 and all like to play together on-line, with this new system i would have to buy games and content 3 times:(( very unfair.
Sooooo now if i want to play minis on 1ps3 1psp 1psvita? It dosent work? Why i want them all? And i cant download minis direct to the ps3 if i want to play minis/ps1games on psp+psv?
I neeeeeed 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TWO things are going to happen to you SONY:
1. A massive sale on the store before Nov. 18
2. After Nov. 18 people are going to be more and more picky with the games they buy. At least with game sharing the “not looking so good games” worth to try them because the price was divided. There are games that are ridiculosly overpriced! So be ready for the sales armaggeddon after the 18….
Way to go sony with xbox cloud coming and the number of systems you can put stuff on unknown ,perhaps 5 + great way to cut yourself off @ the knees. BTW back when ps3 was new i bought 2 fatty’s and when i thought 1 was going bad a slim so i still have 2 working fatty’s and 1 slim-i also have psp-1000,2000,3000 and go which begs the question who are you hurting,yourselves.
I would expect an any psn account created on or after nov 18th will be limited to 2 devices more acceptable and a we value your business not thanks for the money,support etc but even with xbox cloud looming and the fact you might have 3+ devices irrelevant because now your limit is TWO,LOL.
I feel really valued right now since i’ve had ps one,ps2 ,ps3 and psp,qore and ps + @ least allow ps+ members to retain the 5 devices though i still prefer “ANY PSN ACCOUNT CREATED ON OR AFTER NOV 18TH WILL BE LIMITED TO 2 DEVICES MUCH MORE FAIR AND REWARDING TO FANS WHO SUPPORTED PS3 BEFORE THE SLIM,LBP AND SUCCESS WITH THE PRICE DROP.
Be thebetter company.
I don’t agree with any of this. Sony’s take away trend is very bothersome. They took away our ability to play PS2 disks, they took away our ability to install Linux, now they are taking away ability to activate more then 3 consoles. What’s next? Some of you may think this is a great idea, but I for one do not. It isn’t right to keep taking away features from us. Sony could learn a lesson or two from Valve Software. Not that it will matter to anyone, but rest assured, the PS3 is my last Sony console.
Not sure if I can word this correctly, but… you say that content purchased before November 18 will work as usual, on up to 5 machines. After that, you can deactivate/activate as needed. But won’t that deactivate the games purchased before November 18 as well? My example… we have a machine at home, one at my husband’s office, and one at my mother’s house (for our kids to play on when they are over there). All three machines have our games on them. Now, if I buy something new and want to play it at home and at the office, we’d have those two as our active machines. But what if we want to deactivate it at my husband’s office so the kids can play at grandma’s? Won’t deactivating my husband’s machine for that purpose ALSO deactivate all the games purchased prior to November 18?
I DO like the idea of the website for deactivating accounts, however, as two years ago our PS3 got stolen and there was nothing we could do about all the games that were on it, and there goes one of our activations.
I only have 1 ps3 so i should be ok right? I don’t gameshare i always buy a PSN card if i wanna buy something off of the Playstation store.I already had lost 1 account due to the outage back in april that’s why i made this one.
@everyone complaining Please do not compare sony to that other ridiculous company. If I buy a copy of uncharted 3 I don’t get 2 free copies for my other consoles so stop being silly. Personally I think it should be reduced to 1 now that you can deactivate them so you’re lucky it’s 2. All you people saying your leaving for another console are the same ones saying this during the unfortunate hack and yet you came running right back. Your fareweather fans who only care about yourselves not the life of the company and existence of the company that provides us with these great games.
Thanks again Sony.
Down with Game sharers.
i just hope that this is because of gamesharing.I would hate to think of not buying anymore dlc for games i have
i agree with sora down with game sharers.I think it’s wrong and illegal to do so.
I own together with my wife 4 ps3s.
I play on every one of them, got over 500 ps3 games.
I payed top money for my games.
I am not content with this .
I am a big sony fan but this is a slam in my face.
The games i bought and preordered i cant play without everytime activating and deactivating my account.
And when i deactivate my account it also has an effect on my earlier bought games.
Cause i have to activate it to play it online.
I think you are now losing a lot of big playstation fans.
Maybe you want to buy my 2 ps3s back which will be getting useless for me with this idea?
I am sorry to say that it be reason for me to quit supporting sony, but i have to think a bit more about that.
thats crap! I had a psp that broke and got trashed and now have a pspgo (it was cheap!) and can’t play vita and go at the same time now! I need someway to get the old broken one deactivated but it doesn’t physically exsist so im just screwed.. Alas I’ll have to sell the go and not buy things for it.
The outage was inconveniant and made by hackers, now this is sony it self who screws the best customers.
@SoraNeroSerrah and dracula322011
I haven’t read a single post in this thread were anyone supported game sharing, so I don’t see your accusations as being justified. Just because you do not benefit from many of the features taken away, does not mean other people did not benefit. Simply put, this is the 3rd time a feature was taken away. Its a downward spiral and a pretty bad trend.
I have multiple consoles in the rooms in my house because I use internet streaming services as a means of replacing cable. having to continually activate, deactivate, activate, deactivate depending on where I’m at is ridiculous. Frankly it does more harm to multiple console owners then it does in providing added security.
@PS_man1984 I have a kid and we use them for our Blu-ray players and to stream Hulu Plus and NetFlix.
What about games like fifa 12 and cod3 ,uncharted 3 were you already bougt the extra’s but the extras arent released yet?
I get every month a gold package of my fifa , will that be on 2 or on 5 activated systems for use?
I hope you will earn big money by this cause i will stop buying and that costs sony a lot i guess.
I buy over a 100 ps3 games a year more then 300 blu rays a year 1 ps3 a year and loads of dvds.
Guess how much people gonna buy a bit of dlc only to regenerate the money i spend.
And i will be not alone on this.
I read somewhere that Sony did a match to sales of DL games vs consoles and came to the conclusion that 20% of their DL games were being shared. IE, 20% more consoles had played the game than were sold. Of course, some of that 20% is also multiple console owners and people visiting friends with a PS3 and playing the game while visiting. Not a good reason to piss those of us with multiple consoles off in my opinion.
@ chevano
I agree with you 100%. Sony’s business model gets worse every year. That’s exactly why I pre-orderd MW3 through Steam for my PC. Guess What Sony. I can install Steam on as many PCs as I want and play my Steam games wherever I wish. Get with the program.
http://s722.photobucket.com/albums/ww223/chevano/
THis is a liitle bit of my collection, my biggest dvd collection isnt yet on the picture and so are a lot of games i have for old consoles and some new.
But its proof i buy a lot.
Maybe next time there will be a discusting x on the side of the games:(
I came on the blog for the first time in a long while and saw this garbage. I can’t believe how Sony is behaving like a gang of self entiteld A**holes. What makes it doubly insulting is this coward Eric Lempel won’t even stick around to face the music but instead sends one of his lackies to post a few half hearted replies. Sickens me that no only would they stoop to this level to not only outright steal from their own fans but use such amateurish plants to attack their own fans when we stand up and shout NO! What two faced hypocrisy. They outright steal from us then turn around with the same breath call us thieves. LOSERS!!
I hope the putrid gasnozzles known as Sony don’t bother continuing their efforts creating a PS4. By the time they do get it out the door they’ll have no customers left. Not one. Nobody needs your extortion, your insults, nor your lies.
Well I’ve got something to say to you Jack Tretton, Eric Lempel & all of your cronies:
SCREW YOU B*STARDS!!
Count me (a PS+ subscriber) in the camp of people with 3 PS3 units in the household. They make great blu-ray players/media centers and I don’t want to increase wear and tear by disconnecting them and re-connecting them and toting them around over and over again. Nor do I want to have to login to a website every time I want to enjoy content in another location of my home (its also not clear whether you have to re-download the content once you re-activate a system).
In summary, 3 unit activations – *that* was the night number. Please consider an increase for the ones that support Sony the most.
To those who say that those who own 3 PS3 units can afford to pay multiple times for the same content: you don’t have to be rich to own 3 PS3s – its not like they cost $600. Content collectively costs more than the console – who wants to manage multiple accounts and purchase content multiple times???
For those who have enough money and leave with their parents and such I believe it’s very easy to agree with this. But for someone like me to think twice before buying a new PS game or pay my Bills … Damn! My friends I are already working on a new way to share.
I’ve looked into this more and I do love that we will have remote activation because I’ve had one quit before and was infuriated that Sony couldn’t deactivate it. I know this will suck for 3 system owners but it’s still better than what the competitors offer. I was just informed that you were only able to have 1 item per system on the competitors vs we can freely distribute 2 on ones we own AND deactivate them. So it’s still better even more so that I don’t have to worry so much about a system quitting and running out of activations now.
I have 3 PS3s and 2 PSPs, so the only problem I have is not being able to use all three PS3s at once. One PS3 is in the living room and the other two are in my children’s rooms (one boy ad one girl). My question is this:
For post 18 November purchases, will I be able to activate content to specific PS3s per purchase? For example, I play on the living room PS3 (we’ll call PS3-A) and we do party games on PS3-A, while the kids play their specific choices in their rooms (PS3-B for son, and PS3-C for daughter). If I purchase a shooter can I activate it on PS3-A and PS3-B and then purchase a game like Carnival Island and activate it on PS3-A and PS3-C?
Thanks