Sun, Dec 04, 2011 | 23:06 GMT
Vita restricted to one PlayStation Network ID per unit
Sony has thrown a dampener on plans to take advantage of the Vita’s digital focus and lack of region locking, by limiting each console to just one PlayStation Network ID.
According to NeoGaf‘s translation of a Japanese FAQ reportedly given out at a press event, the console will need to be restored to factory settings before a new PSN ID can be used on it.
This is problematic in a few scenarios, most notably families or couples planning to share a single console, and those hoping to buy digital releases from international PlayStation Stores.
The PSP is also limited to one PSN ID per console; while users can save a second profile to another memory card and swap between them, content purchased on one cannot be accessed by the other, and the system must be formatted between swaps. The Vita may employ a similar system, making sharing between PSN IDs possible, if laborious.
The PlayStation 3, on the other hand, allows multiple user accounts and PSN IDs. Purchased content can be shared between accounts on the same machine, without region locking, making for easy digital “importing”.
Thanks, games.on.net.
5 comments
#1
Strandli
04/12/11, 11:17 pm
Sony were so close.
Up until recently, they did everything right with the Vita, they really had their shit together. People were hyped (many still are), Vita just looked amazing.
And now, right before the finish line, they crash hard. Such a shame. :/
#2
Ireland Michael
04/12/11, 11:57 pm
“The PSP is also limited to one PSN ID per console; while users can save a second profile to another memory card and swap between them, content purchased on one cannot be accessed by the other, and the system must be formatted between swaps.
Almost none of this is true, I’m afraid.
Its true that you can only access the content for the profile you have active on the PSP at the time, but you most certainly don’t need to be format anything when you want to change profiles. It has absolutely nothing to do with memory cards either.
You simply delete the profile your device is attached to from the account menu, and enter the PSN details for the other one you want change over to. It takes about two minutes. Nothing needs to be deleted, formatted, or moved, and there’s no limit on how many times you can do this either.
I have no idea where this assumption came from, and if other websites are reporting this as well, they’re simply reporting inaccurate information.
#3
mojo
05/12/11, 7:26 am
thats a real bummer.
german psn store is worthless.
retail only then.
#4
Dannybuoy
05/12/11, 8:45 am
Oh well, just tell the leeches who want to play your Vita to buy their own. Quite simple really.
#5
gomersoul
05/12/11, 10:13 am
this isn’t really a big deal. if couples are sharing or families they can just create different game save profiles. I personally share all my psn content with my brother on psn which depending on your opinion has saved us hundreds or lost sony hundreds. Sony had to do this really, fair play