Sony Entertainment Network to replace PlayStation Network name

The PlayStation Network name will be phased out starting tomorrow. “PlayStation Network accounts” are being replaced with “Sony Entertainment Network” accounts.

February 6, 2012 7:00 AM5

The PlayStation Network name will be phased out starting tomorrow. An email being sent to current PlayStation Network members notes that “PlayStation Network accounts” are being replaced with “Sony Entertainment Network” accounts, and users will be required to accept a new terms of service the first time they log on after February 7th.

“The rebranding of PlayStation Network accounts to Sony Entertainment Network accounts is a change in name only,” the notice tells users. “Your username or password will not change, nor are we asking you to change them.”

PlayStation Network users have had a SEN account ever since the Sony Entertainment Network launched last year. For example, if you wanted to perform remote deactivations of your PlayStation systems, you needed to access the official SEN website. Essentially, only the name of the PSN is being changed–not the functionality.

According to the notice, the rebranding will get Sony “closer to our goal of establishing a global comprehensive network platform of services across games, movies, music and more, all accessible from one convenient account.” In addition to PlayStation Network, the SEN includes Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited services–both currently accessible on the PS3.

In order to facilitate the name change, PS3 and Vita owners can expect a firmware update this week that includes the updated branding. A Sony representative offered Shacknews this comment: