PSN Online ID Change Feature Entering PlayStation Preview Program Soon

From PlayStation Blog: "We’re happy to announce that we will soon begin testing the long-awaited feature that will allow users to change their PlayStation Network Online ID from their PlayStation 4 system. The PSN Online ID Change feature beta will be a part of the PlayStation Preview Program, and will become available to select users that have pre-registered as testers for previous PS4 system software betas."

[Doge]

Boom! There it is!

[UltraNova]

Well that list is surely getting ticked off by Sony...

[Switch4One]

List of basic things that shouldn't take 10 years?

[DarXyde]

Switch4One,

You mean like functional voice chat or F2P without a paid subscription?

It's a bit bewildering that it took Sony this long, but better late than never.

[Switch4One]

Yes that too @DarXyde. Oh you assumed that because I'm critical against Sony (PSN Hayted21) then that must mean I give MS a pass? Try again.
I've spoken out against that on this very site. http://n4g.com/comments/red...

[XisThatKid]

So glad Switch4One is a tech guru and can tell us just how long it would take to do something like this. That's awesome you know all about Sony's network infrastructure and know all the ins and outs to solve apparently very simple problem.

[UltraNova]

Even when people get what they have been asking for they still complain...

Gotta love those ticked boxes though...

[ianyoung3]

Yeah it is absolutely amazing how arrogant people are thinking they know what the timeframe for these major companies are to complete major undertakings.

[Imalwaysright]

Switch4One

I'm always very vocal about things that benefit the consumer in any way or another so when a company finally does something that we as consumers were asking for and then people like you still criticize them, I wonder if you wanted the change to be made or you are nothing but a troll taking of advantage of a situation to criticize Sony. The change is being made. What you wanted is going to happen. What more do you want?

[Eonjay]

@Switch4One

So... you gonna bitch for another 10 years... even after the fact. Can't even be happy its here. Can only feel bitchy huh?

[Switch4One]

I'm not complaining, but I'm also not going to blow steam up Sony's rear like you lot are keen to always do for something that shouldn't have even been an issue to start with.

Those of you saying that I don't know the complexities involved in allowing users to change their usernames are only highlighting the fact that Sony either didn't know how to let us change usernames because they'd made some stupid decisions when they first set up PSN or they were too lazy up until now. Either way it's not a good look.

This should have been done a long time ago.

[Realms]

@Switch4One

Yeah ok because Nintendo has taken how long to implement a half ass online component? You Nintendo fanboys are so transparent try again name changes where never a big deal to people that you know had common sense to actually pick a user name they weren't ashamed of. What has been Nintendo's excuse for finally offering a feature that Sony and MS have had for two generations. You mofos are running out of things to criticize Sony for but inevitably you will find something else. Next thing you will be demanding Sony exclusives on your console of choice GTFO.

[Rimeskeem]

@switch

Like having more than one exclusive per year?

[DarXyde]

Switch4One,

"Yes that too @DarXyde. Oh you assumed that because I'm critical against Sony (PSN Hayted21) then that must mean I give MS a pass? Try again. I've spoken out against that on this very site."

I'm amused by this. I'm pretty critical of Sony myself. I'm not assuming anything, but it would appear that my point is lost on you: better late than never. Again, it's crazy it took this long, BUT the wheels are in motion and you're focused on the time it took. Hardly matters now, does it? Meanwhile, F2P paywalls and counter-intuitive voice chat are still problems. Once that's resolved, I can say it again: better late than never.

By the way, you seem pretty insecure. I'm not going to look you up on PSN to verify that you have a PS4 (or, perhaps more accurately, that you have access to a PS4), so sharing your PSN ID is pretty unnecessary. You even sent a link I'm not going to check to advocate for your open-mindedness. I think you think I care more than I really do. You also seem oddly defensive and assume that I said you're giving Microsoft a pass when, in reality, the issues I mention are *currently unresolved* matters from both Microsoft AND Nintendo.

I really don't care what you like. I just find for your cynicism towards an issue that is actively being addressed to be misplaced and even petty. We knew it was at least being looked into since last PSX.

[kreate]

@darxyde

"I'm not going to look you up on PSN to verify that you have a PS4"

Why not? A lot of ppl make up stories.

[StormSnooper]

Just glad it’s finally happening. I’m sure there was a reason why it took so long. But boy am I glad to change it!

I’m really tired of my username because racist idiots keep thinking my username is a Muslim name and I get the occasional drive by racist comments and logging out. It’s really annoying.

[bouzebbal]

if i change my ID, does the old one become available to others then? Or do i still own it?

[DarXyde]

kreate,

"Why not? A lot of ppl make up stories"

Because I really just don't care enough. 😂 I'm not going to feed into the blatant insecurity, mate. I also have a base PS4, a base Xbox One, and a Switch, yet never have I ever taken it upon myself to prove to anyone that I do; I don't share my online ID info, try to convince anyone of my devices, etc. I just don't care if people believe me; likewise, no one should care if I believe them. So you can imagine my surprise when I find someone trying to prove themselves to me. I don't really get the need to prove that to a stranger like me.

[UltraNova]

markzzbr

"Welcome to the future year if 2015 MS!! Oh wait.

On a serious tone: It seems MS is expanding its online game Service pretty rapidly. Let see how well they'll do.."

Thats ^ my exact wording.

So what? I was highlighting the arrognace in MS's statement calling their streaming solution as the future, I was not complaining that they took a long time to do what people have been asking them to do since no one asked them for a PS Now-like streaming service to begin with. It was just another "me too after its safe" move by MS while simultaneously and shamelessly trying to take credit for it.

Next time get your shit straight before you "paraphrase" someone.

[GTgamer]

Am I the only one who made a good name that I don't wanna change 😂😂😂

[nucky64]

i'm surprised at how many people seem to think this feature is important. i've got my online ID and it serves its purpose - i don't see the point in changing.

[UltraNova]

Nope...its more about the blame game rather than the actual usefulness of the requested feature.

[Eonjay]

My name is... Eonjay. Its perfect, short, no weird spelling. No numbers or dashes. Just Eonjay.

[ClayRules2012]

Lol, your not alone. Never had the desire to change my name.

[boing1]

I got mine immediately when PSN started, before the launch of PS3. I will be using it until the end of days. I'm glad they're adding this though. It's for youngsters who are now adults and are ashamed of names like tittyphucker69.

[rainslacker]

Mine is the same as it is here, and it says nothing about me. I made it because it was raining the day I made it, and I was being lazy that day.😁

While it isn't anything meaningful to me otherwise, I'm fine with it. It serves it's purpose.

[one2thr]

Nope, I created "ONE2THR" on PSP and stuck with it on all platforms👍🏼

[darthv72]

Nope, there are others who are fine with their names. I'm one of them.

[JonTheGod]

JonTheGod here; perfectly happy with it.

[BigBosss]

Finally, I don't have to be called LordAnus now even though my PSN name is LordAnubis lol. Time to change it to something better lool

[UltraNova]

Hahaha.

Choose wisely this time!

[ClayRules2012]

Lol, take your time on it.

[shingojacky]

LordAnus is sick. Keep it mate!

[Kratos_Kart2007]

so I can change my I_Like_big_butts psn name... AWESOME Swollen_Members it is now....

[Forn]

#SwollenArmyForLife #MadChildPrevail

[Platformgamer]

for me is more important to have medievil remastered news, the ability to change my PSN ID doesn't change my life at all

[TKCMuzzer]

If we are being honest, none of those things should really change your life.

[Platformgamer]

replaying medievil on ps4 re-done from the scratch can change my life actually, or at least can change a month from being depressing to be an happy one

[rainslacker]

For the most part, I think any game news or announcement is more preferable to any system or network related feature, or service they may have to offer. I don't mind the other stuff, but games is always the top of the list, and you'll rarely see me complaining about game news which doesn't involve some nonsensical business with inclusion or pandering or extensive MT practices.

Otherwise, it never ceases to amaze me how so many people can take the announcement of a feature they apparently have wanted for a long time, then be so cynical about it to simply criticize the company more for taking so long.

[Jinger]

Welcome to 2005 PSN

[generic-user-name]

But what will people complain about now?

[akaFullMetal]

The only real sting ps4 has against it after this will be just BC. Whoxh wont happen because of the xomplex nature of thr ps3s cell. With ps5 I assume there will be BC with ps4 due to the fact they are both x86 systems. If Sony doesn't have it then that's just either a lazy or greedy business decision.

[SilverDemon]

Still, ps1 and ps2 bc could happen

[ILostMyMind]

@SilverDemon
So greed, indeed. There is no excuse for Sony not allowing this.

[rainslacker]

Maybe, but they never sold the system with bc as a feature, so the criticism can easily be remedied by the individual by not purchasing the system. Sony was pretty transparent about not having it too, and it only became an issue when ms implemented it. Before that, not many people cared.

[TheUndertaker85]

@SilverDemon: PSOne could happen digital only. The PS4 Blu-Ray drive lost the CD diode packed into the PS3, PS2, and PSOne. All PSOne games were produced on the CD format.

Then digital may not happen either. Games like Crash Bandicoot and Spyro aren’t and weren’t Sony properties then those properties went to another publisher. There’s many issues with licensing involved with PSOne games, thus their removal from the PlayStation Store on PS3 and other platforms such as PSP & PS Vita.

[ocelot07]

Not being able to play 10 year old games on the PS4 of course.

[TheUndertaker85]

Yeah, you can play ten year old games and older with a higher price tag. Even games older than ten years old. Who’d want the option to use what they already have instead? /s

I’m also sure people don’t want to play past titles. Those remasters of the same “ten year old games” have such shitty sales showing people don’t want it, particularly with a lower cost. Plus it’s not old anymore if it’s “remastered”! /s

[letsa_go]

*What will xbox & nintendo fanboys complain about now?

[rainslacker]

It never ceases to amaze me what people can come up with to be upset about. This is true everywhere, and not just gaming. Seems we live in a culture that avant thrive without being upset, thus giving people a reason to have a voice, thus yo feel important to society for some reason.

Yet another virtue of the modern internet age

[UnHoly_One]

I would guess they will complain that apparently this causes some issues with certain older games and that you have to revert your name back (for free) in order to play those games again.

I find that very odd, that your user name is somehow tied to the game.

Maybe the save files incorporate the user name in some way?

[Skankinruby]

About damn time. I've had to change my name twice and restart my account because I was an idiot and connected my names to women. With my current one I just lost patience trying to find a name I wanted and picked something stupid, can't wait to be able to fix it.

[XxSPIDEYxX]

Sony's on a Hot Streak. Good Lord!

[Kribwalker]

“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. 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.”

That’s so strange that that would be the case tho. you would think your name was just a variable to games and wouldn’t cause issues.

Good on sony for finally bringing in the name change feature tho

[SilverDemon]

I believe sony is adding new layer to your PSN proflile (your new psn name) old games might recognize this as an error rather than a new feature

It all depends on how were those games coded

[rainslacker]

Because the apis used to make those games, which deal with the connectivity, used the old system. There are dependencies which need to be met, and if they can't be the game will give an error.

Sony said this long ago, that it wasn't just an easy thing to do. So now they're doing it, and they're are strings attached.

Hopefully they have a way to make it mostly compatible though. I'd imagine that ones old name is still going to exist on their profile, and I'm curious if those names will still show up in older games. Means some people may not be free of the names they seem desperate to leave behind

[Evolve]

Can’t wait. This is great news.

[SPEAKxTHExTRUTH]

It’s about time. My gamer tag begins with a lower case letter and it’s been driving me nuts since 2006

[rdgneoz3]

"During the preview program, you will be able to change your online ID as many times as you want. The first change is free, and changes after that will cost $9.99 USD / CAD. For PlayStation Plus members, it will cost $4.99 USD/ CAD after the first change. Changes to online ID can be made through the Settings menu or via the Profile page of your PS4."

Very nice. 1 free change to please most people.

[rainslacker]

Yeah, one free change is pretty nice. Wonder if that's just during the preview to get people to use it for testing

[OG_TK_Cole]

I cant be the only person who has a name that I never want to change??

[Ethereal]

I am with ya. I am one of the day-one adopters and was able to snag an ID I will never change.

[OG_TK_Cole]

Same here

[Kashima]

Now i can change my xXxBlazeit420xXx69x to xii_B00tyC1appa_iix

[Thundercat77]

There was already a feature/work around for this since day 1. Why people didn't use it?

The feature was called: Don't be dumb when creating your PSN online ID.

[ClayRules2012]

I’ve had the same name on PSN for the last 9 years, and I have nice desire to change it. But for those who’s want to change their name, I hope you think of something good.

Some people get really creative with names, it’s entertaining to see some of them lol. Some good & bad.

[InTheZoneAC]

People crying about their ID are going to cry about every name being taken without putting in extra numbers and x's

[paintedgamer1984]

This is cool and all but ive been psn paintedgamer since... forever

But kudos to those who got stuck with something juvenile

[PaleMoonDeath]

Talk of PS5 prep.. name changes.. allowing cross play with Xbox.. no PSX this year, strange days. I wonder just what is around the corner.. say next E3.

[NerdBurglars]

Has anyone been able to find out exactly why this wasn't an easy thing for Sony to do? Would love to hear a technical explanation as to what was wrong. I'm sure it was some issue with table keys but id love to see a proper answer from someone who worked on the back end.

[MrBeatdown]

Kinda guessing here based on my limited knowledge, but I imagine it's because of how their database was set up.

The proper way to do it would be your username being different from your unique identifier, that being like a serial number for your account. I'm imagining Sony used the username as the unique identifier, so it creates problems if you change it.

Think of it like a social security number, but they use your name as the number. If you change your name, it makes a mess.

[rainslacker]

It's a combination of the database, and the developers software used to access the database.

When Sony made their database, they used outdated practices, even for it's time, in constructing the database structure. Since complex databases often have lot of dependencies in certain data being consistent across multiple parts of multiple databases, when one of those major dependencies happens to be the username instead of a unique identifier code, it can cause rather large headache if they want to be able to change that.

Couple that with Sony's earlier developer apis, which is what's used by devs to program all social and connectivity functions in their games, being set up to use and recognize those dependencies on many levels, from the OS to the games themselves, it becomes a problem where changing it can cause some games to become unuable...which it seems might happen now for some games if they used n older version of the apis.

I can see why Sony wouldn't want to do this mid gen last gen, but they probably feels that the updated app which rolled out long ago has been out long enough to make the impact on the user pretty mimimal

Sony did comment on this a long time ago, and while it wasn't overly technical, it was easy enough to discern the reason if one had knowledge on databases and network.programming. It's something that the media never really tried to explain, and something out people criticizing never cared to understand

[Christopher]

The limitations on this only tells me how much Sony needs to invest in revamping and updating their backend for flexibility and future integrations.

[rainslacker]

Seems that's what they're doing now. Seems the limitations are due to the front end implementations which are dependent on the structure of the old database.

[Christopher]

They're doing something, but if they were updating the backend, it would go to flow that they would be doing it in a manner that didn't allow for issues with past content via middle-end solutions or would be flexible enough to adjust for those needs.

As one friend asked, if this is just 4/2018 forward looking, what does this mean for games like Destiny or the like? The solution shouldn't be so limited.

[rainslacker]

To answer your friends question first.

Notice Sony said that "may" cause problems. Not that it will. More likely, the game was already made with more current API's which been used for quite some time now. Since last gen. Destiny receives regular updates, and any new update will have to use the more recent API's to meet compliance. This would be more an issue which hasn't received an update for some time, or was released under compliance with older API's and never received a new update which was never mandated...which became mandated on 4/2018. Chances are, that any game released or updated after that change was made to their network won't have a problem, because the new API's solved a lot of backend networking problems that existed at the time.

I'll get more into that in response to what you brought up though.

What I'm saying is that the back end solution has an incompatibility with the front end software that already exists. No matter how much they may update the back end, if the already released software doesn't support that back end, then there is only so much that can be done without a complete abandonment of legacy software.

Given the way that the original online API's were structured, I'd think there probably is some sort of middleware solution that is set up to handle it, as presumably, any and all software written with those API's would cease to function online....returning errors such as it's stated i this announcement.

Maybe it's just a precautionary statement for the time being, as they are unsure how much of an effect it will have.

Its also worth mentioning that if they are trying to maintain as much legacy support as possible, then they'll definitely need to have a middle ware solution. There is no way around that, and it still has nothing to do with the back end, and likely would entail some sort of OS level and backend support, which may exist already, but isn't fully tested....hence the statement.

The issue you bring up is purely a front end problem, based on the original back-end problem, and if I had to guess, it's probably the biggest reason that this name change thing wasn't implemented much sooner. Sony updated their API's last gen to use unique identifiers instead of the user name for connecting the user's software to the network. But consider last gen the problems that could have come about by implementing something like this with hundreds of currently active games becoming unusable, or at least usable consistently without a lot of disruption, it's easy enough to see how they weren't that eager to implement a solution. Likely, many of the games that would be affected by this, don't have much of an active community anymore. But I suppose we'll find out when the feature goes live, as I'm sure all sorts of reports will crop up, and likely be spun into some sort of negative by people who don't have the first clue about the reasons behind it....and sadly, I don't think Sony is going to explain it anymore than they did years ago which was vague and requires knowledge on how these things work.

Keep in mind, I know how the original API's were structured, and I remember when they were changed. This was after the issue was a thing last gen, but when I put two and two together, I kind of already knew that it was a failure in the structure of the back end databse, which was poorly designed to ever make this an issue...which I discuss in other comments in this thread.

[Christopher]

I love that you attempt to explain to me, all the time, what I'm already saying, but focus on telling me how technology works when obviously my issue isn't with how it works but how Sony is utilizing it. Most of what you just typed is explaining to me what I already understand, and you know that based on what I've said already. It also has nothing to do with the reality of what Sony has said and what they have implemented.

***Maybe it's just a precautionary statement for the time being, as they are unsure how much of an effect it will have. ***

Those precautionary statements should not be made public, only to those available in the test group. Additionally, they should make statements about attempting to find issues and fix them through their middle-end solutions, not just telling people that 'stuff just might not work, oh well'.

This is greatly different to how other companies present and test major updates like this.

***The issue you bring up is purely a front end problem, based on the original back-end problem***

No, it's not. Associating accounts across PSN and a third-party game is backend associated. Now, perhaps Sony hasn't clearly identified the 'issues', but what they also haven't done is spoken as to whether those issues are front-end, backend, or middle-end software items. And by not clarifying that, they get us to where we are now.

You're just playing the 'everything is going to be okay' routine and trying to tech-splain to a person who does this for a living.

Let me tell you how hopeful I am with Sony fixing their backend: To this day, I can get stuck in moments where PSN will not accept any payment from me even though they are all valid. What does Sony tell me every time this happens? Your payment is being declined because of an issue on your end. It's BS and it's obviously an issue on Sony's end as they're the only source that has this problem and it occurs with multiple payment types, including PayPal.

I am not as secure, by far, that Sony is doing the right thing here as you because they've had poor backend for a long time and are just now getting around to 'fixing' it but then also communicating that issues should be expected to the public, not a closed set of testers. It's the wrong way to do this and that doesn't make me at all confident.

[AK91]

Sony preparing for the PS5 and doing a fantastic job so far now.

[doggo84]

I chose a great username initially, luckily. No need for me to change

[AizenSosuke]

Thanks Playstation for always thinking of our needs

[AspiringProGenji]

Still sticking with mine. Hasn’t aged yet❤️

[Sgt_Slaughter]

Still excited, but the whole "might not show up all the time" part of the name change is a bit worrying for say game saves and what not. Plus this really isn't a name change, it's just a new layer on top of your existing name. Whatever your existing one is stays, it's just covered up by the new one.

Lesson to learn folks, don't have a database setup like Sony did: "When Sony designed PSN, they used your username as the primary key for your account instead of a separate, unique key." That is just about the No.1 thing you should NOT do for a database. This is why all usernames will be still used and none will be freed up, just even more names will be taken instead.

[rainslacker]

I doubt it was the primary key. But there were a lot of dependencies on the name field, which was a long outdated practice even when the database was created.

I think some of it had to do with them hoping to integrate it into Sony's other network, which they used to have for movies or music or whatnot. That has long since abandoned, although you still can access that account if you have it set up.

It really wouldn't have been too much of an issue of the api's for developers didn't use that structure to implement network functionality. Even now, some older games may not work because of those dependencies, and for it to work, it means they'd have to retain all those original names indefinitely. The new network layer can probably make it so the old one is never seen, but it.may be a process of isolating all the potential problems...which a beta is supposed to be used for.

I'm curious if those not in the preview program will we their friends name change. Apparently the OS itself already has the needed update

[OneEyedSteve]

People should read it before getting excited.... Its not compatible with all games before April this year... So if like me you like to go back and play older games this feature is useless!

[Spartacus10]

In before 'I personally wont use this feature so the people demanding it must be playing the "blame game" and I'm personally offended since I own Sony and speak on their behalf'
Ahh damn, actually I'm too late.

[Chaosdreams]

Nice. Thankfully I was one of those who chose wisely (I joined two things I love and voila).

[inxine]

i feel like im one of the few who doesnt realky need the psn name change thing lol.

[TheUndertaker85]

Since nobody is bringing this up...

So what happens to PS3 & PS Vita games when this happens, if it happens? If reasoning here is correct as to why it’s so hard to implement and titles that came before 04/2018 will have to be updated does that effectively mean that PS3 games namely are pretty screwed? Or will these name changes only apply to PS4 and if so, does that not segregate the network further than it already is?

Then didn’t Sony revamp PSN when transitioning to PS4 from PS3? If that info was correct then Sony had the opportunity to solve this issue before even releasing PS4 yet chose not to.