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Changing your PSN name. It's time Sony. (IGN)

was lucky enough to get 'malrock' when I created my account at the PSN launch but had to go with malrock-kun on the 360 cause someone with 0 achievement points had claimed malrock on the original xbox (I was Seoulkid on the original xbox btw). I was eventually able to change to malrock on the 360 after that person's account was purged but I totally feel for people that can't change with say the name, BigWang69 or something

edit: holy shit, there is a "bigwang69" on psn - http://psnprofiles.com/bigwang69
 
If this feature ever becomes a reality, do you think the old names will become up for grabs again?

Meaning, if someone changes their username from ABC to DEF, can someone else come along and take ABC then? How does that work on other systems?
 
Can we get account upgrades first though? Seriously I was like 13 when I made my PSN, but now at age 22 I'd like to be able to...I dunno maybe use most of my PS4s features without losing all my stuff.
 
I ended up just making another PSN account, and have started using that primarily :/ The jump to PS4 made it slightly less uncomfortable, since there's so little overlap between the two consoles and what I've already purchased on PSN. The practical impact is I now have a separate PSN account for my PS3 and PS4, although I'll probably end up signing both onto both systems eventually. That's assuming I can do that in the first place.
 
Ascenion said:
Can we get account upgrades first though? Seriously I was like 13 when I made my PSN, but now at age 22 I'd like to be able to...I dunno maybe use most of my PS4s features without losing all my stuff.
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Try giving support a call, maybe they can help you out. Although I do agree that's something the user should be able to do themselves.
 
Pillville said:
If this feature ever becomes a reality, do you think the old names will become up for grabs again?

Meaning, if someone changes their username from ABC to DEF, can someone else come along and take ABC then? How does that work on other systems?
Click to expand...

Baby steps! Proper engineering would suggest that should be possible yes, but this jimmyrigged PSN system is a house of cards.
 
I think they made the name as the unique identify instead of a random generated number. I hope they sort it soon though I'm tired of my name. They should offer everyone the first one free.
 
How hard would it be to create a new database that isn't held together with duct tape and silly string and force everyone to migrate over to it and set up say one year first right of refusal window to keep your same name?
 
Pillville said:
Meaning, if someone changes their username from ABC to DEF, can someone else come along and take ABC then? How does that work on other systems?
Click to expand...

In Live when you change your user name the old one become available to be taken for the other users (the same way is on Twitter).
I exchange my Live ID that way because I wanted to keep the other services attached to a specific email.
 
Fucking hate my username so much. 'gamerkid99' is such an awful name. Let me change my username pls Sony pls.

I accept the fact that I made bad life decisions in 2006-2007 as a kid in grade 7. For gods sake please. I WILL PAY YOU TO CHANGE MY NAME. JUST NAME THE PRICE I'LL MAKE IT HAPPEN
 
KnightHart said:
Fucking hate my username so much. 'gamerkid99' is such an awful name. Let me change my username pls Sony pls.

I accept the fact that I made bad life decisions in 2006-2007 as a kid in grade 7. For gods sake please. I WILL PAY YOU TO CHANGE MY NAME. JUST NAME THE PRICE I'LL MAKE IT HAPPEN
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Oof. Sorry man that's awful :( I don't feel as bad about my name anymore.
 
Sony PLEASE. I went through some account changes because I didn't like my name, but could not justify losing all my purchases and trophies.
 
I get a huge kick out of reading PSN names outloud while I play destiny. The majority really are shit like superhiiigh420 or Bong_Jesus, its not even just a stereotype. A_Drunk_Dad takes the cake though.
 
I wonder if it would be easier for them to create some sort of Account Transfer system that would let you transfer your friends/trophies/purchases/saves to a new PSN ID.

If we can't simply just change our names a transfer system might be easier.
 
I want this so much. I wasn't feeling very creative the day I signed up for PSN and didn't think it would permanent. :(
 
Yeah this needs to happen. Just like how Colin can change his twitter name from the silly "notaxation" at any point so should he on PSN.
 
My PSN Name, SergeantHatred, seemed like a great idea when I registered it shortly after the character debuted on the Venture Bros.

Over the years, the character has turned into a hormonally unbalanced pedophile with overgrown manboobs.

I would like to change now, if possible.
 
It's definitely a business opportunity they're missing out on. Maybe they consider it chump change and can't be bothered with it.
 
If your user name gets reported they will change it for you. So they can do it....

Mine got reported & banned. I just had to call to get it changed.


Funny on gaf I dont think you can change user names any more.
 
I kinda don't care anymore. I fullfill any real name requests on PSN so I just go by my real name now and I don't really care to play with random people because they're usually dumb and not mic'd.

I'm about as apathetic to this situation as any one human being could possibly be.
 
Caayn said:
Try giving support a call, maybe they can help you out. Although I do agree that's something the user should be able to do themselves.
Click to expand...

I've done that before since I assumed like the old console deactivation it was something they had to do and they basically told me sorry make a new account.
 
so if they allowed name changes with this database design, wouldn't it mess up how friends connect to you?

lets say you changed your name, how would their friends list determine who you are?
 
Feels good to pick a name I still use to this day.

Now they just need to get revamp the Vita OS so we can have different region accounts on the same card...
 
fna84 said:
so if they allowed name changes with this database design, wouldn't it mess up how friends connect to you?

lets say you changed your name, how would their friends list determine who you are?
Click to expand...

Why not give everyone a root name and a display name? The root name could be anything that identifies the user and the display name speaks for itself.

Edit: But I guess that could create problems when you add people.
 
Since it's been this long the reason is most likely because your username is the main point of reference in the database, not a hidden ID number. They'll have to do something similar to what Valve did with Steam and split the username and display name up (or how your name displays differently when you trade real names with people on PSN). That's going to require a lot of re-engineering on Sony's part though... think about all the games that pull in your username, they would have to make sure that stuff doesn't break during the conversion.

They will only will do this when they absolutely have to. I wouldn't expect it any time soon.
 
I'm pretty ok with my name.

I just want to have that name attached to a master account instead of my shitty sub-account. (I wanna put money and stuff on my account. I'm an adult now damn it!)
 
Interfectum said:
Since it's been this long the reason is most likely because your username is the main point of reference in the database, not a hidden ID number. They'll have to do something similar to what Valve did with Steam and split the username and display name up. That's going to require a lot of re-engineering on Sony's part though... think about all the games that pull in your username, they would have to make sure that stuff doesn't break during the conversion.

They will only will do this when they absolutely have to. I wouldn't expect it any time soon.
Click to expand...

I have no idea if you know what you are talking about in paragraph 1, but you are spot on when you say don't expect Sony to update their system any time soon. Love PS4, but damn, how much longer do we need to wait for some simple folders or other way to shorten that crossbar down?
 
Interfectum said:
Since it's been this long the reason is most likely because your username is the main point of reference in the database, not a hidden ID number. They'll have to do something similar to what Valve did with Steam and split the username and display name up. That's going to require a lot of re-engineering on Sony's part though... think about all the games that pull in your username, they would have to make sure that stuff doesn't break during the conversion.

They will only will do this when they absolutely have to. I wouldn't expect it any time soon.
Click to expand...

The Japanese PSN can already do this.
 
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