Synergy. Can you dig it? Sony does, finally noticing those
14 million accounts stranded on the console-side of PlayStation Network. We imagine the meeting went a little something like this:
- Exec One: You see, we've got 14 million people over here [*motions to his right*]. But what if we could take them [*lifts his hands up*] and stick 'em over here, too? [*motions back to his left*]
- Exec Two: So are you gonna eat that last Mint Milano or what?
- Exec One: No -- well ... let's split it.
- Exec Two: Deal.
The result? PSN IDs are being incorporated into PlayStation.com and, at a later date, PlayStation.Blog. Doing so will make your friends list and other features accessible through a web browser --
oh my! On a solemn note, these changes bring PlayStation Underground to its inevitable end, but members can hold on to some of the good times by merging their Underground accounts with their PSN IDs. And this is only the beginning,
promises PSN senior director Susan Panico: "before this year is over we'll have more enhancements for your gamer profile." Dare we say, a New PlayStation Experience?
{ Nov 20th 2008 at 2:22PM } 
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Scott Brooks @ Nov 20th 2008 2:27PM
It's really interesting to watch the continued evolution and the playing of catch up by Sony with the PS3. I think it's really hurt them taking this long to come up with standard across the board features for the PS3, PSN and it's gamers.
SlimPickinz96 @ Nov 20th 2008 3:18PM
Agreed.
Im all for good games, and new tech, no matter the system. To watch the "new" additions as they come about causes me to /facepalm until my cheeks hurt.
*sigh*
Haggard @ Nov 20th 2008 4:24PM
There are two ways it could be argued - yes, they probably are copying other systems that gamers on rival consoles/platforms are used to, but on the other hand, they're making things better for their own customers and fanboys.
Scott Brooks @ Nov 20th 2008 4:29PM
And don't get me wrong that's a good thing for everyone. I love to see new things and updates to my PS3. I just wish they had a little more standardized way of doing things across the board. They left too many options up to developers like voice chat and trophies. Those things should have been mandatory since day one.
kaneda @ Nov 20th 2008 4:33PM
I think this can be seen two ways. The first way is that sony is copying the features from ms and way after the fact. This is a solid argument. However, if these features are good ones, then the only real argument is that they are unoriginal. I would expect that anyone that faults PSN on this front holds the same standard for MS in regards to their operating system which, with ever iteration, adds features from previous Apple OSs.
On the other hand, sony could try to implement new features, specifically omitting anything that ms has already done. Is this really a good idea though? I think we might see this water tested if home is ever released.
In the end, I welcome good features and say, #1 what the hell took so long and #2 better late than never.
Vol @ Nov 20th 2008 2:28PM
Welcome to 2005, Sony.
WTangoFoxtrot @ Nov 20th 2008 2:35PM
lol thinking the same thing. cant believe they dint already have this kind of stuff.
Edge @ Nov 20th 2008 2:46PM
Yep. 360 has had online account management, friends lists, messaging, achievement comparisons, and they just added Marketplace browsing and purchasing. I have 9 items queued up for download when I get home.
Sony took one step forward while their comptitor took two steps.
Go ahead Sony. "Steal" it all. You'll have a better service by the time you're done.
Kattleox @ Nov 20th 2008 3:08PM
I wish it was 2005. Back then, the GAP still meant something: WE got access to EVERY beta, demo, and tons of free swag. I sometimes wear my PS2 mock tee and killzone hat to this day. But after the PS3 came out, the goodies and authority quit coming. I wish they kept the one thing that made sony's online meaningful--I felt like I actually had a SAY in the games I would one day be paying for back then.
Duke @ Nov 20th 2008 4:04PM
Yeah, when I got the email for this it seemed they were more or less killing GAP. That program has dwindled to nothing. I had a few betas and got a t-shirt out of it, then it more or less became unintersting. Really a shame. Now I guess GAP just equals those 3 letters in your profile and nothing more.
deaftly @ Nov 20th 2008 4:16PM
The best thing I ever got from GAP was a nokia 6620 phone to test out some stupid shit at gamestop. That phone was expensive as hell when it came out. Other then that a few ps2/psp betas and a notebook with a ps2 pen heh. Haven't received anything since the ps3 came out.
Vidikron @ Nov 20th 2008 4:25PM
As a non-GAP individual you guys aren't really drawing any sympathy.
atrimus @ Nov 20th 2008 2:30PM
"a New PlayStation Experience?"
that's what you call Home that arrives on time.
Hyams @ Nov 20th 2008 2:33PM
Home 1.0 just went out to Beta testers. Expect it to be released to the public soon. (I'm placing my bets on December.)
Wiinterfang @ Nov 20th 2008 2:34PM
December what?09,10,48?
Hyams @ Nov 20th 2008 2:39PM
'09.
(I refuse to specify the century, but just for humour-related reasons.)
Vidikron @ Nov 20th 2008 2:38PM
This process started a while back. You've had the ability to tie your PSN account to your Playstation.com/Underground account for quite a few months now. I guess this is just the next step with actually merging the two completely.
thesimplicity @ Nov 20th 2008 3:01PM
If your accounts are tied, is that the same as merging? Clicking on the 'Merge Accounts' link in the email just took me to the same page that I used to link them.
Can anyone who has previously linked accounts confirm?
Vidikron @ Nov 20th 2008 3:08PM
Not sure. I haven't tried it yet myself. My accounts have been tied together for a while, but Joystiq acts like this is something new.
Duke @ Nov 20th 2008 4:06PM
They act like its new because today the email said they were closing playstation underground. Yes, the merge was available a while ago, but the site shutdown is new.
Anyway, I believe the link in the email is the merge.
Vidikron @ Nov 20th 2008 4:26PM
But if we've already merged then do we have to do anything? I think that's what thesimplicity is asking.
Duke @ Nov 20th 2008 4:48PM
Well, I did the merge again and nothing new happened. I think its an email to everyone whether they had done it or not.
Viol8tor Mode @ Nov 20th 2008 2:39PM
My only interaction with PlayStation underground was with there news letters.
They offered great promotions and chances to sign up for betas and Demos (like God of War: Chains of Olympus)
Does that mean this will come to a hault?. I signed up/merged with Playstation network in hope that i dont miss out of future stuff like this.
Dirty @ Nov 20th 2008 2:39PM
At least the hardware is solid.
Wiinterfang @ Nov 20th 2008 2:48PM
Snake.
Ayrkain @ Nov 20th 2008 2:51PM
Me Doctor, She Nurse, Him Walrus. No Snake.
Dirty @ Nov 20th 2008 2:52PM
Is it a full moon or something. Its like everyone is off their meds.
Ayrkain @ Nov 20th 2008 2:53PM
Sorry. Just thought a little Monty Python would be nice.
Wiinterfang @ Nov 20th 2008 2:53PM
Sonic Unleashed is almost coming out.
reyes @ Nov 20th 2008 2:50PM
I'd like so much to bitch about Joystiq's anti-PS3 slant. But, I guess the comments so far prove that the site is just catering to the 360 fanboys that dwell here. You'll be lucky to read this comment before it's greyed out by the fanboy rage.
Hyams @ Nov 20th 2008 2:55PM
Clearly you weren't here a year ago. Joystiq seemingly hated the PS3 with a passion back then, and the userbase hated it even more so.
Now days the PS3 is on better terms with everyone, and it's the Wii that Joystiq and its userbase hate now.
Dan CiTi @ Nov 20th 2008 2:56PM
It's too bad, because all 3 consoles are rather lackluster.
Hyams @ Nov 20th 2008 2:58PM
Dan CiTi: I have to disagree. The PS3 and the 360 both have a very excellent selection of games.
The Wii, not so much, in my opinion. but it's still pretty damn nifty (and Brawl is awesome).
reyes: Looks like people are actually voting you up.
Irony FTW.
Dirty @ Nov 20th 2008 2:59PM
Yea, if I I bad mouth the ps3 now its more out of habit than anything else. I just wish my PS3 was living up to my expectations is all.
reyes @ Nov 20th 2008 3:15PM
Irony, indeed. PS3 and 360 both have nice libraries (360 better, probably helped by the head start in this gen). The Wii hate I can agree with... need more games that aren't rentals and/or party games. And don't get me started on the DS...
Roto13 @ Nov 20th 2008 3:50PM
Well they're slightly less biased than certain other video game news blogs Kotaku that give everything a bitchy anti-everything slant Kotaku.
Duke @ Nov 20th 2008 4:08PM
Dan CiTi
Are you serious? All 3 are lackluster? What is it you wanted out of this gen that they missed? Holograms? 3D? I think they each have some great pluses over last gen.
deaftly @ Nov 20th 2008 4:32PM
I wanted holograms :(
Dan CiTi @ Nov 20th 2008 2:55PM
Even though HOME is basically out, It's never coming out.
Tez @ Nov 20th 2008 2:57PM
They've already linked accounts to PSN IDs, and let you look at your friends online, is this really changing that much?
Maverick Saturn @ Nov 20th 2008 2:57PM
Well its about time Sony ¬_¬ I'm kinda fed up with having different accounts all over the place.
Next step, merge those blog accounts, and the official game site accounts if possible.
I should be able to access resistance 2 website with my PSN id :( etc
j.howlett @ Nov 20th 2008 3:31PM
you already could
Maverick Saturn @ Nov 20th 2008 3:38PM
I'm using Resistance as an example, but I mean every game, although saying that, maybe not multiplat :S hmm
baby sea tuna @ Nov 20th 2008 3:15PM
I honestly didn't even realize that these were 2 separate things until they sent me that email this morning. I did the merge, and promptly went back to not caring.
j.howlett @ Nov 20th 2008 3:30PM
maybe it's because i visit the site regularly, but i merged my id awhile ago. i'll miss the underground that i signed up for 3 or more times for since the ps1 days and eventually became a G.A.P. member
KenC @ Nov 20th 2008 3:37PM
Sony with your announcement of moving the PSN ID's and Underground all into one doing everything that Xbox used to do (and still does) we would like to say, "Welcome to the OLD Xbox Experience"!
shamowfskI @ Nov 20th 2008 3:42PM
Kind of burns the original G.A.P members, as we're no longer G.A.P. members, but whatever, it wasn't ever very exclusive anyway.
Ben M. @ Nov 20th 2008 3:46PM
i have been a psu member since 98 when i got my psx now ill have to shed a single tear to say goodbye to an old friend
Chris @ Nov 20th 2008 4:33PM
Yeah when I log in it says Underground member since 1998. Good times.
kaneda @ Nov 20th 2008 4:55PM
In response to Reyes's comment regarding joystiq ps3 hate, I got to thinking, what are the still standing legitimate complaints from gamers, for each system.
For me personally:
360 - pay to play online and dwindling system link support; wireless controllers not coming with battery packs; need proprietary cables to charge batteries; lacking in media capabilities/options; built in storage should be standard.
ps3 - taking their time to catch up with features that match achievements, friends lists, voice chat, ect.; 360 ports to ps3 can vary in quality; features like 'home' have taken forever to materialize;
wii - more 3rd party trash than other two systems combined, plus gamecube; Wiimotes need an accessory to do what they should have been able to do from day one (motion plus); no storage options to speak of; online capabilities...is an oxymoron; too much focus on accessories;
Is there anything i missed?