November 4, 2011November 8, 2011

UPDATED: Upcoming Change to PlayStation 3 and PSP Game Content on PlayStation Network

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.

Comments are closed.

977 Comments

evil23alej
November 4, 2011 at 9:17 am PDT

: )
JLP_M
November 4, 2011 at 9:22 am PDT

This is really stupid Sony. Looke, I’ve had 2 PS3s so far. The first one I had was a 60gig and it broke about a year back. I never fixed it because I got a slim so thats one account activated so far. Then I had 3 of my accounts put on other family memebers PS3s, and guess what. One of the three broke. Then I got my Slim, and that is 5 activated accounts……I can’t do anything to fix those PS3s to get those two activated accounts deavtivated. Sure I can fix them but I’m not gonna pay $300 to fix both of them. This also sucks because I purchased Playstation Plus on the PS3 that I have right now….So I’m going to have lets say about 4 months of plus wasted because of this change?
- Karen Spearrin
  November 4, 2011 at 11:35 am PDT
  
  With the new PSN account management feature coming soon to our website, you will be able to activate all devices tied to your account via a PC. That means you can deactivate inactive or broken systems.
OxyFenix
November 4, 2011 at 9:24 am PDT

The new website is a good idea. The just 2 systems thing is horrible. Even iTunes allows up to 5 PCs. Now I can’t buy stuff when I’m at my friend’s house, I can’t buy stuff when I’m at my cousin’s house. And now I definitely can’t buy another ps3 for my wife this Christmas either. Leave it at 5 or go down to 4. I can handle 4 but 2 is too little. Sony please reconsider this. I know some people abuse this but you are punishing everyone else at the same time. Not everyone has more than one system and they probably don’t care, but that doesn’t mean everyone only has one system. At least allow PS Plus users to have more than 2, I will buy PS Plus if you do.
febwtf
November 4, 2011 at 9:25 am PDT

Are you people out of your minds? “People abused 5 activations”? No, people activated 5 systems in accordance with the agreement. They’re not going to cut prices by 3/5, so we’re getting less for our money now.

Seriously sony, the psp has been cracked wide open for a while now. I’m not buying your stuff so you can crap all over me.
JonJonXD
November 4, 2011 at 9:25 am PDT

“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.”

FINALLY! Thank you!

When my 60GB died and I bought my 320GB Slim, it was a hassle to have to call and have my dead one de-activated from video and game content. This makes it a lot easier.
ViolentPhlegm
November 4, 2011 at 9:26 am PDT

Two questions:

1) I assume we can still download newly purchased games to as many PS3 machines as we like, but can only play them on two machines (the activated ones) simultaneously?

2) Could you clarify how the activation/deactivation process will work for older games? i.e. will there be two types of activation: “active for all puchases” and “active for newer purchases” or something like that?
THOR_KAICER
November 4, 2011 at 9:27 am PDT

I think this is goodbye for me to buy PSN contents I always like the physical copy of the game I can play it on any console I want. If sony want to have a lot of customers for the download contents and games its going to have to start thinking right and leave the activations at least 3 for each system ps3 and psp or start to release the physical games of the PS Store. I go for the physical game.
WilburMonkey
November 4, 2011 at 9:31 am PDT

So can an account/game be activated on two systems *total* or 2 PS3+2 PSP? Specifically, can I have a mini on my PS3 and, for example, two PSPs?
- Karen Spearrin
  November 4, 2011 at 11:37 am PDT
  
  Yes, you will be able to play a Mini on up to 2 PS3s and 2 PSPs.
INFILTRATOR187
November 4, 2011 at 9:33 am PDT

Give us a decent web browser that doesn’t freeze after two videos on youtube, make all sony websites ps3 and psp mobile compatible(56k), make it 3 game shares for both systems, fix the lag in socom4, bf3, mw, cod and other games. bring back region free in home as well as open mic chat. where are the features sony, the first 4 updates to the ps3 were the best so far and that was 3 years ago. next thing you’ll take away dynamic themes….
Adelflame
November 4, 2011 at 9:33 am PDT

Just once Sony, hear your fans, and make it 3 systems plz :)
cronqvist
November 4, 2011 at 9:35 am PDT

Though it doesn’t really affect me, I believe the magic number would be 3. Two is just your personal PS3 and a backup one. What if you need a third one for whatever reason? I know people who travel a lot and have a PS3 in every place they go to.
EmpireNO
November 4, 2011 at 9:35 am PDT

I have 3 PS3s and 2 PSPs, does this mean one of my PS3 will be blocked out?
davidjaim
November 4, 2011 at 9:36 am PDT

Can i have 3 activated systems, but play a game only in 2 of my systems.

OR i cannot have more than 2 activated systems??

BTW, 1 have 2 ps3 and 2 psp, me and my wife!
Keeng
November 4, 2011 at 9:37 am PDT

This is a great idea. More people were abusing this system to “share” games than using it the way it was intended. Three systems would be best, but I understand two. I also appreciate that this only affects future purchases. That way, it doesn’t stab past customers in the back.

I’m glad this is happening because it should increase developer/publisher confidence that their content will make them money on PSN; in turn, that should create more and better content for us.
INFILTRATOR187
November 4, 2011 at 9:38 am PDT

They should have put a poll on the blog and let us users decide, really what do the ceo’s know about us? not that much if they think this is a great idea. someones got their head too far up their ^$$#$.
Ajtpak
November 4, 2011 at 9:38 am PDT

Nooooo 2 is too litte, 3 is a lot better than 2. Why 2 i mean cmon. i do like the ps3 deacticavtion through pc though :)
PSN_Tokeio
November 4, 2011 at 9:39 am PDT

@EmipreNO Yes. In order to use the third PS3 with PSN content you’ll need to DEACTIVATE one of your other machines and ACTIVATE the third one. Totally a consumer focused, easy to use thing to do. NOT.
JonJonXD
November 4, 2011 at 9:41 am PDT

However, I do agree with the others, the dropping down to 2 activated consoles thing is pretty BS. Some of us utilize multiple PS3s in our households, so to be limited to just using two of them for games is pretty ridiculous. If I purchase a game, I should be able to use it on all of my consoles. 5 was a fair number, not 2. It’s bad enough that video content can be only activated on one PS3, which is why I don’t purchase video content on the PSN store. Why bother when I can just use Netflix on both of my PS3s (they allow for up to 7 devices).

If you aren’t making enough money from sales because of “this” (which I don’t know anyone who abuses game sharing), then do something to entice players to purchase the game.
megamixer
November 4, 2011 at 9:43 am PDT

List of things removed from the PS3 since launch:

– Chrome finish
– 4 USB Ports
– CF card reader
– SD/Mini SD card reader
– Memory Stick Pro reader
– SA CD playback
– PS2 disc playback
– Classic PS3 System Boot (youtube watch?v=gi9rXIOeI3o)
– PS3 Game Boot Animation/Jingle (youtube watch?v=kjaABg4aNVc)
– Linux support
– HD Blu-ray playback over component
– 5 system activations

Next on the chopping block:

– PS3 disc playback
– Internet Browser
– folding@HOME
– MP3 support (AAC only ala Wii…)
– to be determined…

You get what you pay for, am I right?…
Meanwhile, three weeks later, I’m still working with Sony support to restore my purchase video store content…
Ajtpak
November 4, 2011 at 9:44 am PDT

@215 Agreed :D
WARHEADBR
November 4, 2011 at 9:46 am PDT

Seriously Sony ….
NO X over Chat
100 Limit friend list
No Backwards Comp PS2
No ability to dellete account
limit to 2 machines
INFILTRATOR187
November 4, 2011 at 9:49 am PDT

im on my 6t ps3, my 15th psp. do i steal games, no. do i buy alot of games yes, i registered every single one of the 165 psp umd i bought. r you stealing from me? yes, I want a $50 psn card when this goes live to make up for the value that is being lost in my ps3.
tk149
November 4, 2011 at 9:51 am PDT

I have 3 PS3’s at home, each in a separate room. Guess I’m done buying DLC from Sony.
HitnRunTony
November 4, 2011 at 9:51 am PDT

Two! Really? I have three PS3s as do a lot of people.
So three I could understand, but two!

Come on Sony, remember when we didn’t sue for
losing all our personal info.
triple_lei
November 4, 2011 at 9:52 am PDT

Pretty petty list there, megamixer. Chrome finish? Boot animations? Christ.

And I don’t even think Sony had any control over the Blu-ray/component thing either.
Ladykiller64
November 4, 2011 at 9:54 am PDT

Bad business move. In reality, Sony will be losing more potential sales than gaining them.

BluntOwnage summarized it perfectly.
Ethereal
November 4, 2011 at 9:54 am PDT

I really like the fact that we will be able to deactivate old systems remotely. With that being said, I approve of this move. Game sharing has been a privileged to which it has been abused. Sony reserves the right to say that what you download can only be played on one PS3 at a time. A simple deactivate and activate would do the trick. So I think this is a good move. They could have always made it one instead of two. I approve of this Sony and I am looking forward to the PC remote deactivate.
bane9907
November 4, 2011 at 9:54 am PDT

At all you shills taking shots at game sharers:

Yeah, me and my four other friends share games. But every one of us takes turns buying games so we can play together. In fact between us we own most multi-player games on the network. We have payed plenty of money in to PS. I certainly wont be buying multi-player games so I can play with myself, or randoms, and I know my friends will not either. so not only will you not be making more money off of us, you will now make less. It is becoming more and more obvious that you wish to be like another corporation that shall remain nameless, a corporation I make ZERO purchases from. That may change now though with this announcement, besides your exclusive games have become a bit lackluster. The other corp gets better exclusives and early releases. Step your game up sony, or before long we will have no ammo to defend you when the console wars happen in conversation. You need to step your game up.
mixedkidbx
November 4, 2011 at 10:01 am PDT

LMAO….

Sitting here reading all of these comments is funny. It’s sad to see how many people on these forums cant even read and understand simple english that is written in this blog post. Sony i think you need to start writing in caveman language so most of these posters can understand what is written above.
Mattimeoo
November 4, 2011 at 10:02 am PDT

Once again fisted by Sony. Not surprised. Over the years I’ve lost more, and more, and more respect for this company. I travel constantly AND have two dead PS3’s, this is going to screw me royally. Thanks for once again sticking it to the customer. Totally jumping ship next gen.
rodrom
November 4, 2011 at 10:02 am PDT

I agree, 5 was very generous but 2 is very restricting. 3 would be more ideal. A household may have 2 PS3’s at most, but it restricts say going to a friends house and play with the downloadable content or game you purchased.

While a service like Steam is limiting in that it requires an internet connection, at least it allows you to move your content to any number of devices like it should be, BUT there can be only one logged account across all ‘activated’ devices.

Hopefully you won’t limit the number of activations / deactivations as it would be cumbersome to play purchased content on the owner’s PS3s as well as in friends’.
Dyne1319
November 4, 2011 at 10:03 am PDT

That is lame, so very lame. we have a house with 4 ps3’s every one has there own so now we have to stop share content because sony’s getting greedy. I don’t like it. This was one of the big perks of buying things on the PSN was that I could active the content 5 times before I had to pay again. Now I guess I’ll go back to Xbox at least they give unlimited activations for your own console.

Very disappointed by your greed Sony, but I guess I should have been expecting his from you.
Bilsebob
November 4, 2011 at 10:04 am PDT

Sony is going to get such a bad reputation that they will never be able to catch up to the 360 in sales. When are the new 760’s and Wii U coming out? I might just get me one!!!!!
megamixer
November 4, 2011 at 10:05 am PDT

@triple_lei
“Pretty petty list there, megamixer. Chrome finish? Boot animations? Christ.”
Having a complete list for the sake of historical accuracy is hardly petty.

“And I don’t even think Sony had any control over the Blu-ray/component thing either.”
I understand, but it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t count. To say Sony has no pull in the BR consortium would be stupid since their console single-handedly saved the format. :| They may have even been in favor of this change.
mixedkidbx
November 4, 2011 at 10:05 am PDT

@megamixer

– Classic PS3 System Boot (youtube watch?v=gi9rXIOeI3o)
– PS3 Game Boot Animation/Jingle (youtube watch?v=kjaABg4aNVc)

ARE YOU SERIOUS? What the hell is wrong with you thinking that having those was an advantage?
Nacthenud
November 4, 2011 at 10:05 am PDT

Up until now, your policies have resulted in me buying games on PSN over XBLA whenever possible. This change will reverse that equation. I will certainly be spending considerably less money on PSN in the future.
Stoffinator
November 4, 2011 at 10:06 am PDT

Honestly, I should be able to use the content on as many PS3 as I own. This now means I can only use the content on 2 of my 3 machines. But good to hear you can deactivate the systems yourself.
PremiumPencil
November 4, 2011 at 10:07 am PDT

Hate to say it but bildrbob has a point.
PremiumPencil
November 4, 2011 at 10:12 am PDT

@WARHEADBR its already been confirmed that cross chat is near impossible to do, i forget the reasons but it will never happen.
iCrAzy_2D_XtrEmE
November 4, 2011 at 10:12 am PDT

Wow Only 2…
Elsa
November 4, 2011 at 10:14 am PDT

So what happens if we currently have the full 5 units activated… do we have to deactivate 3 of them? My husband and I each have a PS3 and both of them died. We bought new units and got the old one’s fixed. I recently gave my nephew one of our old units as a birthday gift – with a bunch of PSN games I already had on the system. Will I have to deactivate his console??

If it’s retroactive and he can keep the games, how will this work. Some games seem to require an activated system in order to play the game (I think it was InFamous that did this… though it could have been Ratchet and Clank Quest for Booty). It’ s no issue to deactivate the system that we have in storage as a back up unit, but I don’t want to deprive my nephew of a large part of his Birthday present (and I certainly won’t deactivate my husband’s unit as he get’s the big TV and having copies of my purchases on our 2 consoles in the house better allows me to switch between TV’s).

I have a bad feeling that this is somehow going to get ugly and messy.
PremiumPencil
November 4, 2011 at 10:16 am PDT

@ elsa, if you actually read before commenting you would see that it only effects content purchased after nov 18th
KiddHarmony
November 4, 2011 at 10:16 am PDT

If anyone can help clarify this, I would appreciate it very much.

I have my PSN account activated on 3 systems. One for me and the two others are on my brothers. I have it activated on their’s so I can play my account when I’m visiting. When this update goes into action, assuming they keep the limit of 2 activated PSN accounts. Will one of the three automatically become deactivated or will all three stay activated but I cannot activate more accounts?
Blasphemous1
November 4, 2011 at 10:17 am PDT

@ PremiumPencil- The reasos ? Laziness and Greed. They won’t pat for like Skype and thecan’t charge us for it.
PremiumPencil
November 4, 2011 at 10:18 am PDT

the PS3 console would need new upgraded hardware not just a simple fireware update, therfore it will never happen.
MarinoBrea
November 4, 2011 at 10:19 am PDT

“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”

You’d better make this happen, and quickly, or a MAJOR MESS is waiting for you.

Sony hasn’t communicated this account-per-PS3 limitation to the consumer in any practical and clear way. Many people have DEAD PS3s, many people give previously owned PS3s away as gifts (and you must know DELETING AN USER SIGN-IN ID from a PS3 DOES NOT DEACTIVATE AN ACCOUNT FROM THE PS3). A number very close to “insignificant percentage out of 55 million PS3s sold” are aware of this. The next time someone tries to play their content worth hundreds (if not thousands) of $$$$ on a new PS3 they could be in for a not so pleasant surprise: THEY CAN’T. Even providing a safe an effective way to deactivate the PS3s is by no means the way Sony should treat its consumers.

This should be MADE VERY CLEAR EACH TIME AN USER CREATES AN ACCOUNT ON A PS3. You didn’t do it, and people are BLIND ABOUT THIS still today. Expect a BIG MESS.
candycabngfl
November 4, 2011 at 10:21 am PDT

What a bunch of BS……

As usual the honest people get the shaft and the greedy make more money.
mixedkidbx
November 4, 2011 at 10:22 am PDT

TO ALL PS BLOG POSTERS:

Any PS3’s that have PSN content on them that was/is bought before November 18th, 2011, will still be able to be used on all 5 PS3’s.

Any PSN content that is bought AFTER November 18th, 2011, will only be able to be played on the first 2 PS3’s you install the game on. If you want to play any game bought after November 18th, 2011, on any other PS3, you will need to deactivate one of the PS3’s that u originally installed the game on, and then you will be able to play the game on the current PS3 you wish to use.

Is this clear enough or should i make this even easier to understand?
Nathan-DTS
November 4, 2011 at 10:23 am PDT

While 5 was excessive, 2 is very low. I have 2 PS3’s in my house and 1 of them broke previously. I don’t want to have to phone Sony to remove systems. It’s quite funny that now Call of Duty map packs won’t sell now, that makes me happy.
TheUndertaker85
November 4, 2011 at 10:23 am PDT

This is complete BS. I currently run three legitimate PS3s for myself and was considering getting a forth. Now that this is happening I don’t think I’ll be wasting my time doing that. Thanks for losing a sale during the holiday season and saving myself $249 at least Sony. I love to save money and see previous features downgraded to the point of killing something that I’m currently enjoying.

I guess the plus is I can now finally deactivate PS3s online. I’ve had a bad hindrance lately that I can’t activate anymore PS3s as it claims I’m using up all five of my PS3 activations while I’m only using up three. Yes, I have confirmed this as I have a 40 gig PS3 in my bedroom with a dead eye that I thought at one point I might just use for digital content like all of the video content I purchase.

Want to fix things? Up the PS3 activation to at least three, add sorting features to Downloads Lists so one can sort DLC, PSOne Games, PS2 Classics, PS3 games, Demos, or Videos then add purchased Video content to ones Video Downloads List so people getting new PS3s aren’t punished by the possibility of losing their Video content and actually have an upside to being able to simply redownload through their Downloads List.