PlayStation activation limited to two devices, beginning November 18th

The days of Game Sharing for PlayStation owners is over. Previously, downloaded content from the PlayStation Store could be shared across five devices. Newly purchased PSN content is being restricted to two machines, not five.

5

The days of Game Sharing for PlayStation owners is over. Previously, downloaded content from the PlayStation Store could be shared across five devices. While the policy was originally intended to allow flexibility for consumers that owned multiple systems, many gamers exploited it by sharing their passwords--essentially allowing one purchase to be used freely across up to five machines.

That policy is changing beginning November 18th, with newly purchased content being restricted to two machines, not five.

The new terms of service will allow users to play PlayStation content on up to 2 activated systems. For example, PS3 games will be available on up to 2 activated PS3 systems; PSP games will be available on up to 2 activated PSP systems. Once the Vita releases, it will also adhere to the same restrictions.

The revised policy will not affect game purchases made before November 18th.

According to Sony, the new policy will "protect the rights of content providers." However, some PlayStation users are already calling it "restrictive and unfair DRM" and "anti-consumer." Of particular concern are consumers that have failed consoles, which were unable to be deactivated before malfunctioning. Sony says that it will be providing a new PlayStation Network account management website, allowing users to remotely deactivate PSN accounts via the web--similar to how iTunes works.

For more on how to deactivate a PS3/PSP system, visit PlayStation customer support.

Andrew Yoon was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    November 4, 2011 6:30 AM

    Andrew Yoon posted a new article, PlayStation activation limited to two devices, beginning November 18th.

    The days of Game Sharing for PlayStation owners is over. Previously, downloaded content from the PlayStation Store could be shared across five devices. Newly purchased PSN content is being restricted to two machines, not five.

    • reply
      November 4, 2011 6:43 AM

      This is actually very disappointing for me......... I actually do own 3 PSPs, 3 360s, and will be getting a 2nd PS3 at some point.

    • reply
      November 4, 2011 6:45 AM

      Not a big deal for most. My biggest concern was the difficulty of deactivating a system. If they address it with the simpler method mentioned in the article, I will be fine.

    • reply
      November 4, 2011 8:57 AM

      If this kills off that stupid "persistent connection" DRM that Capcom was putting on PlayStation Store titles, that's a good thing. I imagine that this was the remedy to the problem where people couldn't play games like Rearmed 2 when PSN was down.

    • reply
      November 4, 2011 10:02 AM

      As long as I can remotely de-active a PS3 if it breaks thats fine.

    • reply
      November 4, 2011 4:19 PM

      [deleted]

      • reply
        November 5, 2011 11:11 PM

        we have to pay for it! fuck that 'OCCUPY INTERNET!!!'

Hello, Meet Lola