Sony has announced that the ability to make PSN Name Changes will be coming soon. The ability to change a PlayStation Network account’s handle has been long requested by owners. Outlets have reported prior (see below) that many developers were aware of this last week. This is so they can make the necessary adjustments to their online games.
When Is the PSN Name Change Release Date?
Sony announced on its official blog that PSN name changes will be coming to the PS4. The feature will not be rolled out immediately. Instead, a “preview program” for the feature is available to “select users that have pre-registered as testers”. The beta for PSN name changes will end in November. The full release of the ability to change usernames will be available in early 2019.
During the preview, users will be able to make as many name changes as they want. However, after the first free name change, users will be charged $9.99 with every change, or $4.99 if they are a PlayStation Plus subscriber. After the username has been changed, PSN users will have the ability to display their old handle next to their new one. Sony adds that “once you decide to display your old ID or not, you won’t be able to adjust this after completing the online ID change process.”
However, there are some caveats to the system. Not all games will have the ability to show new usernames. All PlayStation 4 games published after April 1, 2018, will be able to show new names, but games released before this may not. Sony has said that “a large majority of the most-played PS4 games that were released before this date” will be able to show new names. It seems that many older PS4, PS3, and PS Vita games are not guaranteed to allow for new usernames. Sony will announce closer to the public release of the feature, a list of games compatible with the PSN name changes.
It’s been a constant source of frustration to PS4 owners that they cannot change their PSN names. PlayStation Network launched way back in 2006, and most of its users picked ridiculous usernames back then because, well, they were younger. Having a slew of x’s in your name was the done thing back then, but now it looks lame. Is there finally a way to change your username to something a bit more professional? Here’s a guide on how to change PSN name.
How to Change PSN Name – Can I Change My Username?
Unfortunately not. There’s nothing right now that allows users to get rid of those embarrassing names in favor of something less tacky. However, there may be a “how to change PSN name” process on the horizon, if a report from Kotaku can be believed. The publication has claimed to have talked to a number of people, at different game studios, about a potential change.
How to Change PSN Name – When is the Update Supposed to Land?
There’s uncertainty over that. Kotaku has stated that three anonymous sources told them that they’re preparing for an update that will allow PSN users to change their name. That trio have stated that they’ve been fixing bugs, making setting changes, and making other necessary adjustments to ensure that their games are still compatible when Sony drops a “how to change PSN name” update.
Another source apparently shared an image with Kotaku, which purported to show a PSN profile with the option to “edit username.” Kotaku claims that the photograph is from an internal Sony document so, whilst this could be falsified, it’s likely true.
Sony refused to comment on the leak when Kotaku asked them about it, but Sony boss Shawn Layden told Kinda Funny’s Greg Miller that he hoped an “edit username” question wouldn’t be asked when the next PlayStation Experience (PSX) rolls around. There won’t be a PSX 2018, but at least we’ll know of a possible “how to change PSN name” update by late 2019.
