Tomorrow, February 7, North American PlayStation Network accounts will be renamed Sony Entertainment Network, or SEN, accounts, with European customers experiencing the change a day later on Wednesday. This change comes as part of Sony’s effort to expand and unify its digital entertainment arm, which encompasses gaming as well as video and music download services.
Sony has been delivering emails to PSN account holders regarding the impending change. The message informs recipients that as of the 7th (or 8th, depending on region), all PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita PSN accounts will be converted to SEN accounts, while those PSN accounts held through the PlayStation Portable will remain unchanged.
As for what the transition means for users, Sony has been clear that this will be a change in name only, and that account holders will not be required to take any action related to the rebranding. A quick look at sonyentertainmentnetwork.com suggests that PSN will simply be one component of the larger SEN.
Here is the full email sent to European PSN – soon to be SEN – account holders:
On February 8, 2012, your “PlayStation®Network account” will be renamed a “Sony Entertainment Network account” or a “SEN account”in conjunction with Sony Computer Entertainment’s PlayStation®3 system software and PlayStation®Vita system software updates. (Note, this change will not be applied to the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system at this time.)
For general purposes, this account change is a change in name only. Your username or password will not change, nor are we asking you to change them. In accordance with this transition, some necessary naming changes will be made to the TOS and Privacy Policy.
This transition is based on Sony’s goal to enhance its unique digital entertainment offering. As a series of these activities Sony started last September, PlayStation®Network will be aligned with “Sony Entertainment Network.” This helps us get 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.
Thank you for your continued loyalty and support during this transition.
Sincerely,
The Sony Entertainment Network Team
So what are your thoughts on the new name? Do you think SEN rolls off the tongue better than PSN, or vice-versa? Does it matter? Let us know!
