Sony Interactive Entertainment is allegedly looking to ditch the PlayStation Network and PSN branding by September this year, according to an email that has recently been sent out to developers.
Insider-Gaming was able to get hold of the email, which we’ve included below.
We’d like to inform you that Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has strategically decided to phase out the terms “PlayStation Network” and “PSN” across our platform in order to properly capture the breadth of our evolving digital services. What’s changing and timeline.
The upcoming changes are purely visual and will not introduce any technical alterations to our offerings. To simplify and unify branding, the terms “PlayStation Network” and “PSN” will be phased out across all SIE assets by September 2026. All features currently associated with PSN, including core network features such as friends, multiplayer, and trophies, will remain unaffected and available to players. You’ll be notified ahead of changes coinciding with the Technical Requirements Checklist (TRC) update in the fall of 2026.
Note: PS5 DevNet access is required to view TRC documentation. At that time, you’ll need to align with the updated TRC and branding guidelines to ensure the removal of PSN instances from all future releases, assets, and external service interfaces.
Sony hasn’t yet announced what name will replace the PSN branding, although it has survived nearly 20 years at this point, as it was originally launched alongside the PS3 back in November 2006. It is home to online gaming, PlayStation Store, PlayStation Plus, and pretty much everything that revolves around Sony’s online multimedia content, and is supported by PS3, PS4, PSP, PS Vita, and of course PS5.
[Source – Insider Gaming]