PlayStation Network
DeveloperSony Interactive Entertainment
TypeOnline service
Launch dateNovember 11, 2006 (2006-11-11)
Platform(s)
StatusActive
Members108 million active monthly (as of March 31, 2023)[2]
WebsiteOfficial website

PlayStation Network (PSN) is a digital media entertainment service provided by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Launched in November 2006, PSN was originally conceived for the PlayStation video game consoles, but soon extended to encompass smartphones, tablets, Blu-ray players and high-definition televisions. This service is the account for PlayStation consoles, accounts can store games and other content.

As of April 2016, over 110 million users have been documented, with 106 million of them active monthly as of the end of March 2022.[2] PlayStation Network's services are dedicated to an online marketplace (PlayStation Store), a premium subscription service for enhanced gaming and social features (PlayStation Plus), music streaming (PlayStation Music, based on Spotify), TV streaming (PlayStation Vue), and formerly a cloud gaming service (PlayStation Now; folded into PlayStation Plus Premium in June 2022). The service is available in 73 territories.[3]

History

Launched in the year 2000, Sony's second home console, the PlayStation 2, had rudimentary online features in select games via its online network. It required a network adaptor, which was available as an add-on for original models and integrated into the hardware on slimline models. However, Sony provided no unified service for the system, so support for network features was specific to each game and third-party server, and there was no interoperability of cross-game presence. Five years later during the development stage for its third home console, the PlayStation 3, Sony expressed their intent to build upon the functionality of its predecessor by creating a new interconnected service that keeps users constantly in touch with a "PlayStation World" network.[4] In March 2006, Sony officially introduced its unified online service, tentatively named "PlayStation Network Platform".[5] A list of supporting features was announced at the Tokyo Game Show later the same year.[6]

Sony launched an optional premium subscription service on top of the free PSN service in June 2010. Known as PlayStation Plus, the system provides access to exclusive content, complementary games, regular store discounts, and early access to forthcoming games.

Following a security intrusion, the PlayStation Network had a temporary suspension of operation which began on April 20, 2011 and affected 77 million registered accounts.[7] Lasting 23 days, this outage was the longest amount of time the PSN had been offline since its inception in 2006.[8] Sony reported that user data had been obtained during the intrusion.[9] In June 2011, Sony launched a "Welcome Back" program following the outage, allowing all PSN subscribers who joined prior to April 20 to download two free PlayStation 3 titles and two free PlayStation Portable games. Users also received 30 free days of PlayStation Plus, while users who were already subscribed before the outage got 60 free days.[10] After the disruption, Sony changed the PlayStation Network's license agreement to legally bar users from filing lawsuits and joining class action lawsuits without first trying to resolve issues with an arbitrator.[11]

In July 2012, Sony Computer Entertainment announced that they had acquired video game streaming service Gaikai for $380 million. The acquisition was later strengthened when Sony acquired the assets of Gaikai's market rival OnLive. At the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2014, Sony announced that Gaikai's technology would be used to power PlayStation Now; a new cloud-based gaming service that allows people to play PlayStation games on a variety of devices. During 2014, Sony rolled out the service in North America on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 in beta form as a means for users to test performance and pricing structures.[12]

On December 25, 2014, PlayStation Network and Xbox Live suffered a network disruption after a denial-of-service attack.[13] Both services were flooded with millions of inauthentic connection requests, making it hard for genuine users to establish a connection. Functionality was restored on December 26, with some users experiencing difficulties in the days that followed.[14] On January 1, 2015, Sony announced that users would be compensated for the downtime with a five-day extension to PlayStation Plus memberships.[15]

Formerly the gaming provision of the much broader Sony Entertainment Network, the PlayStation Network became Sony's premier entertainment service in 2015, unifying games, music, television and video. While synonymous with gaming, Sony said the PlayStation Network had evolved to become a "comprehensive digital entertainment brand".[16] The SEN name is still used in some places.

User information

Signing up to the PlayStation Network is free. Two types of accounts can be created: Master accounts and Sub accounts.[17] A master account allows full access to all settings, including parental controls. Sub accounts can subsequently be created (e.g. for children) with desired restrictions set by the master account holder.[18] A sub account holder has the option to upgrade their account once they reach 18 years of age.[19] Sony encourages registrants to use a unique email and strong password not associated with other online services.[20][21]

Online ID

An Online ID is one's username on the PlayStation Network. It can range from 3 to 16 characters in length and consist of letters, numbers, hyphens and underscores. A user's Online ID is central to your PSN profile and is displayed when playing online games and using other network features. In April 2019, Sony enabled users to change their online PSN ID.[22]

Users have the option to disclose their real name aside their Online ID, add a personal description, exhibit a profile picture or avatar, and list all spoken languages. Profiles also include a summary of a player's Trophy level and recent activity. Profiles can be viewed via the user interface or online through the PlayStation website.

A Portable ID is a small infographic intended for use as a forum signature. The graphic showcases a user's trophy level and number of trophies awarded. Each user is able to log into their PSN account using a web browser to access and customize their Portable ID, and are then given a unique URL which they can cut & paste to display their ID elsewhere on the internet.[23]

Trophies

Trophies are in-game awards presented to gamers for hitting specific targets or reaching certain milestones, such as completing a difficult level or defeating a certain number of enemies. There are four different types of trophy awarded: a bronze, silver, or gold trophy is contingent upon the difficulty of the accomplishment, with each reward contributing to a level system attached to a player's profile. A platinum trophy is awarded to the player once they unlock all other trophies in the base game; smaller sized games, however, generally do not offer a platinum trophy. In addition, each trophy is graded by popularity—common, rare, very rare, and ultra rare—based on the percentage of people who have unlocked it. Developers can choose to make various trophies hidden so that their value and description are not revealed until after the user has obtained them.[24]

In an effort to discourage cheating in terms of how soon Trophies are awarded, the PlayStation Network requires consoles to maintain an accurate time and date setting before a digitally downloaded game can be started, which also extends to virtually all physically released software for the PS4 and certain physical games for the PS5. Without a connection to PlayStation Network, consoles would rely on a CMOS battery to maintain the date and time. If a console is unable to obtain an accurate date and time from PlayStation Network due to loss of connectivity and CMOS battery charge combined, games can be rendered unplayable on it, leading critics to decry this anti-cheat system as a form of always-on DRM and a threat to video game preservation upon discovery of this issue, known as the C-bomb,[25] several months after the PlayStation 5's launch, as Sony was contemplating an equally controversial decision to shut down the PlayStation Store for previously discontinued systems that used it.[26][27][28] In late September 2021, Sony resolved the C-bomb issue for the PS4 with firmware update 9.0.0, so that an inability to obtain an accurate date and time from PSN would only disable time-stamping of Trophies instead of blocking startup of games.[29][30] Sony later resolved the same issue for the PlayStation 5 in November, allowing all physical and digital PS4 and PS5 games to run without any need for an accurate date and time reading from PSN, except for PlayStation Plus games, which require online verification to access them.[31]

PlayStation Plus

PlayStation Plus
DeveloperSony Interactive Entertainment
TypePremium online service
Launch dateJune 29, 2010
DiscontinuedJune 13, 2022 (PlayStation 3)
Last updatedJune 13, 2022 (North America)
Platform(s)PlayStation 3
PlayStation 4
PlayStation 5
PlayStation Vita/PlayStation TV
Windows
Members47.4 million (as of March 31, 2023)[2]
WebsiteOfficial website

PlayStation Plus (PS Plus) is a paid tiered subscription service that provides users with access to premium features. These features include access to online multiplayer, exclusive discounts on the PlayStation Store, the ability to upload up to 100 GB of saved game files to PlayStation servers, and three games available to download each month at no additional cost. These features are available to all subscribers. The "Extra" tier provides access to the PlayStation Plus Collection, as well as a wide catalogue of 400+ PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games. Moreover, the "Extra" tier also unlocks a catalogue of Ubisoft+ classics. The "Premium" (also known as "Deluxe") tier adds access to downloadable PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation Portable games, access to limited trials of select games, and (in some regions) the ability to cloud stream certain PlayStation, PS2, PS4, and PSP games. For all tiers of subscription, users can choose between monthly, quarterly, or annual payment.[32]

Furthermore, all PS Plus tiers have the Game Help feature; a PlayStation 5 exclusive that provides spoiler-free hints and tips while playing supported games. Game Help can range from a nudge in the right direction, to a full video walkthrough which can be pinned to the side of the screen to refer to while playing.[32]

Monthly games

Membership includes access to a rotating selection of games, with the selection varying based on PlayStation Store region. New titles are announced every month, to be downloaded immediately or added to a library for later access, before being replaced by a new selection of games. Members can keep all games in their library as long as they remain a member of PlayStation Plus. If their membership lapses, these games will become inaccessible. Once membership is renewed, the games will become unlocked again. In late June 2020, it was announced that PS Plus will expand its capacity of accessible games from two to three for its 10th anniversary.[33]

PlayStation Plus Collection

In September 2020, Sony announced during its next-generation showcase that PlayStation Plus members who purchase a PlayStation 5 would also get access to a collection of "generation defining" games from the PlayStation 4.[34][35] In May 2023, the collection was removed.[36] The PlayStation Plus collection included:

2022 revamp

On December 3, 2021, Bloomberg reported that Sony was working on a new subscription service codenamed "Spartacus" that would be a merger of the company’s current services, PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now, with the company reportedly set to keep the Plus branding. The service was reported as including three tiers, the first including all the benefits of PlayStation Plus, the second expanding upon the first by including a catalog of PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 titles, and the third expanding upon the first two by including demos as well as a catalog of games from the PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Portable. Bloomberg claimed the service would launch within early 2022 and compete with Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass service.[38]

The revamped PlayStation Plus service with a three-tier subscription model was officially confirmed by Sony in March 2022 as launching in June 2022; the new service launched first in Asian territories excluding Japan on May 23, 2022, in Japan on June 1, 2022, in North America on June 13, 2022, and in Europe on June 22, 2022.[39]

The existing service became PlayStation Plus Essential, PlayStation Plus Extra additionally gives the user access up to 400 PS4 and PS5 games as downloadable and streamable titles, and PlayStation Plus Premium further adds access to streaming of up to 340 games from the PlayStation, PS2, PS3, and PSP and download of all but the PS3 games. For markets without cloud streaming, Sony offers an alternate version of Premium called PlayStation Plus Deluxe that includes the benefits of Premium at a discounted rate without cloud streaming.[40]

Sony PlayStation Plus Membership Plans

[41] Essential Extra Deluxe Premium
Availability All markets All markets without cloud streaming All markets with cloud streaming
Monthly games (PS4 & PS5 games) Yes
Online multiplayer Yes
Exclusive discounts Yes
Exclusive content Yes
Cloud storage Yes
Share Play Yes
Game Help (PS5 exclusive) Yes
Game Catalog (PS4 & PS5 games) No Yes
Ubisoft+ Classics (PS4 & PS5 games) No Yes
Classics Catalog (PlayStation, PS2, PS3, & PSP games) No Yes (except PS3 games) Yes (PS3 games via cloud streaming only)
Game trials (PS4 & PS5 games) No Yes
Cloud streaming No Yes (PS5 games on PS5 only)

PlayStation Store

The PlayStation Store is a digital media shop that offers a range of downloadable content both for purchase and available free of charge. This includes full games, free-to-play games, add-ons, demos, music, movies and background themes. The store accepts physical currency, PayPal transfers and prepaid network cards.[42]

PlayStation Network Cards are a form of electronic money that can be used with the PlayStation Store.[43] Each card contains an alphanumeric code which can be entered on the PlayStation Network to deposit credit in a virtual wallet. Sony devised the payment method for people without access to a credit card, and PlayStation owners who would like to send or receive such cards as gifts.[44]

In 2012 Sony introduced a cross-buy initiative whereby a game available for multiple PlayStation devices need only be purchased once. Players who download the PlayStation 3 version of a game can transfer to the PlayStation Vita or PlayStation 4 version at no extra cost, and vice versa. Users have immediate access to supported titles in their digital game library, even when they upgrade to the newest system.[45][46] The initiative was later extended to include PlayStation 5.[47]

PlayStation Blog

The PlayStation Blog is an online PlayStation focused gaming blog which is part of the PlayStation Network. Launched in June 2007, regular content includes game announcements, developer interviews and store updates.[48] A sub-site of the blog called PlayStation. Blog Share was launched in March 2010 and allows PSN users to submit ideas to the PlayStation team about anything PlayStation-related as well as vote on the ideas of other submissions.[49][50]

Original programming

Beginning in the spring of 2015, PlayStation Network began to produce and distribute their own original content. The first original scripted program, Powers, premiered on March 10, 2015 and ran for two full seasons.[51] The series was cancelled on August 3, 2016.[52]

In June 2017, it was announced that Sony was launching the Emerging Filmmakers Program where members of the public can submit pitches for potential television series to be aired on PlayStation Network. Submissions were due on August 1, 2017 and five of the ideas would be turned into pilot episodes that will be voted on by the PlayStation community.[53]

See also

Notes

    References

    1. ↑ "PSP Store closing down, content will still be available elsewhere". VG247. 2016-03-01. Archived from the original on 2020-11-08. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
    2. 1 2 3 "Supplemental Information for the Consolidated Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter Ended March 31, 2022" (PDF). www.sony.net. May 10, 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
    3. ↑ "Please select your country / region". PlayStation. Archived from the original on April 5, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
    4. ↑ Tor Thorsen. PlayStation 3 announced for 2006 Archived 2015-01-11 at the Wayback Machine, GameSpot, May 16, 2005.
    5. ↑ Hirohiko Niizumi. PlayStation Network Platform detailed Archived 2014-12-27 at the Wayback Machine, GameSpot, March 15, 2006.
    6. ↑ Shoemaker, Brad (2006-09-21). "Sony TGS 2006 keynote speech". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2009-06-01. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
    7. ↑ "PlayStation Network and Qriocity Outage FAQ – PlayStation.Blog.Europe". Blog.eu.playstation.com. 28 April 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-05-04. Retrieved 2011-05-12.
    8. ↑ "PlayStation Knowledge Center | Support - PlayStation.com". Us.playstation.com. 2011-01-10. Archived from the original on 2012-10-31. Retrieved 2011-05-12.
    9. ↑ "Update on PlayStation Network and Qriocity". SCEA PlayStation. 2011-04-26. Archived from the original on 2011-04-26. Retrieved 2011-04-26.
    10. ↑ Brett Molina, USA Today. "Sony launches 'Welcome Back' program for PSN users Archived 2011-06-05 at the Wayback Machine." June 3, 2011. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
    11. ↑ "Sony asks gamers to sign new terms or face PSN ban". BBC News. London. 2011-09-16. Archived from the original on 2021-11-05. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
    12. ↑ Eric Johnson. Sony Acquires OnLive’s Cloud Gaming Patents Archived 2015-05-06 at the Wayback Machine, recode.net, April 2, 2015.
    13. ↑ Ghoshal, Abhimanyu (25 December 2014). "PlayStation Network and Xbox Live down for many over Christmas". TheNextWeb.com. Archived from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
    14. ↑ Jensen, Catherine (27 December 2014). "PlayStation Network Update". PlayStation Blog. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
    15. ↑ Martin, Michael (January 1, 2015). "Sony rewards PSN users' patience with free five day extension". IGN. Archived from the original on January 3, 2022. Retrieved January 1, 2015.
    16. ↑ Sal Romano. PlayStation Network becomes center of Sony entertainment services Archived 2015-05-27 at the Wayback Machine, gematsu.com, January 28, 2015.
    17. ↑ [ Sub accounts and master accounts], playstation.com
    18. ↑ Limitations of Sub Accounts Archived 2014-10-10 at the Wayback Machine, playstation.com, November 21. 2014.
    19. ↑ Eric Lempel. Upgrade Sub Accounts to Master Accounts Archived 2015-03-22 at the Wayback Machine, playstation.com, February 12, 2015.
    20. ↑ Password Requirements Archived 2018-01-18 at the Wayback Machine, PlayStation Network
    21. ↑ Brendan Sinclair. Sony asks users to reset passwords Archived 2016-10-11 at the Wayback Machine, gamesindustry.biz, December 5, 2013. "We encourage you to create a complex unique password that you have not used before or isn't the same password as those associated with other online services."
    22. ↑ Yin-Poole, Wesley (October 10, 2018). "Sony will let you change your PSN ID early 2019". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on November 5, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
    23. ↑ Ed Easton. Design Your Own Portable ID Archived 2015-01-10 at the Wayback Machine, blog.playstation.com, 21 April 2011.
    24. ↑ "Firmware v2.40 Walkthrough Part 2: The XMB". Sony. 2008-06-30. Archived from the original on 2011-08-27. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
    25. ↑ Alwani, Rishi (19 April 2021). "What Is CBOMB and Why You Should Care: Sony's PS5 and PS4 Game Preservation Problem Explained". IGN India. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
    26. ↑ Orland, Kyle (15 April 2021). "The looming software kill-switch lurking in aging PlayStation hardware". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
    27. ↑ Koch, Cameron (16 July 2021). "Aging Batteries Could Turn PS3s & PS4s Into Paperweights". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
    28. ↑ De Meo, Francesco (18 April 2021). "PlayStation 5 Runs Only Select Physical Games and No Digital Game Offline With Missing CMOS Battery". WCCFTech. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
    29. ↑ Oneto, Petey (24 September 2021). "PS4 Firmware Update Reportedly Keeps Consoles From Being Bricked". IGN. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
    30. ↑ Wen, Alan (22 September 2021). "PS4 CMOS battery issue reportedly fixed in firmware update". NME. Archived from the original on 5 November 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
    31. ↑ Jones, Ali (2 November 2021). "PS5 issue that might have locked players out of digital games appears to have been fixed". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
    32. 1 2 "PlayStation Plus Membership Page". Official Sony PlayStation Website. November 13, 2022. Archived from the original on November 13, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
    33. ↑ Barbosa, Alessandro (30 June 2020). "Playstation Plus Celebrates 10 Years With 3 Free Games". Archived from the original on 3 July 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
    34. ↑ "PlayStation 5 launches in November, starting at $399 for PS5 Digital Edition and $499 for PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-Ray Disc Drive". PlayStation.Blog. 2020-09-16. Archived from the original on 2021-08-17. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
    35. ↑ Hall, Charlie (2020-09-16). "PlayStation Plus Collection gives subscribers access to classic PS4 games on PS5". Polygon. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
    36. ↑ "The PS Plus Collection library shuts down today". VGC. 2023-05-09. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
    37. ↑ "Persona 5 Leaves PS Plus Collection in May for Unknown Reasons". 30 March 2022. Archived from the original on 23 May 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
    38. ↑ Schreier, Jason (December 3, 2021). "PlayStation plans new service to take on xbox game pass". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 2021-12-30. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
    39. ↑ Wood, Austin (April 22, 2022). "PS Plus release date confirms US launch 3 weeks after Asia rollout". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
    40. ↑ Ryan, Jim (March 29, 2022). "All-new PlayStation Plus launches in June with 700+ games and more value than ever". PlayStation Blog. Archived from the original on March 29, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
    41. ↑ "PlayStation®Plus | Hundreds of games to download and play, PlayStation classics, game trials and more". PlayStation. Archived from the original on 2022-07-19. Retrieved 2022-07-19.
    42. ↑ "Sony "Leveraging" PSN Services for Other Sony Electronics". 1UP.com. 2010-07-01. Archived from the original on 2013-01-16. Retrieved 2010-07-01.
    43. ↑ PlayStation Network cards Archived 2014-08-31 at the Wayback Machine, playstation.com
    44. ↑ Lempel, Eric (2007-12-14). "PlayStation Network Cards are coming". PlayStation Blog. Archived from the original on 2011-08-18. Retrieved 2008-01-15.
    45. ↑ McWhertor, Michael (2012-08-14). "Sony announces Cross Buy: Buy a game on PS3, get Vita version for free". Polygon. Archived from the original on 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
    46. ↑ "Flower, flOw, Escape Plan and Sound Shapes coming to PS4/PS Vita!". Playstation.com. 15 October 2013. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
    47. ↑ "How to Upgrade PS4 Games to PS5". Push Square. November 18, 2020. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
    48. ↑ Patrick Seybold (June 11, 2007). "Welcome, You've Been Waiting". PlayStation.Blog. Archived from the original on September 24, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2010.
    49. ↑ PlayStation.Blog Share Archived 2012-08-27 at the Wayback Machine, share.blog.us.playstation.com
    50. ↑ Patrick Seybold (March 17, 2010). "Introducing PlayStation.Blog Share". PlayStation.Blog. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved March 25, 2010.
    51. ↑ Bendis, Brian (20 January 2015). "Powers Premieres March 10th, Only on PlayStation". Playstation. Archived from the original on 6 May 2016. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
    52. ↑ "'Powers' canceled by PlayStation Network". August 3, 2016. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016.
    53. ↑ Cooper, Daniel. "Sony crowdsources ideas for its next PlayStation TV series". Engadget. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
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