Ben-DutkaIt's always a good idea to have all the facts before issuing an important report.
Although several sources reported that Sony would allow only one PlayStation Network account per Vita unit, the official word refutes the information. Well, to some extent; an explanation was obviously necessary, and we have it now.
Sony told Wired.com that the new portable will not be limited to one PSN account per device, provided you have multiple memory cards. Sony associate brand marketing manager Crystal MacKenzie said the accounts will actually be tied to the Vita's proprietary memory cards and not the hardware:
"Your PSN ID is bonded to your memory card and your memory card is bonded to your Vita. So if you wanted to change different PSN users but use the same memory card, you would need to go factory reset."
You can swap accounts by swapping cards; if you have more than one memory card, you can register a different PSN account on each. "You can also use them both on the same PSN account as well," she added. Okay, so that should be the truth of the matter…what do you think?
That sounds incredibly stupid. I guess they need some means to coerce people into buying more proprietary memory cards.
They got everything right with the ps3. Standard usb drives for storage, bluetooth for tons of peripheral compatibility, card readers (on certain models), etc. Idk why they have to force their portables into proprietary media.
Not cool, Sony.
The Vita went from Hero to Zero before I could even get my hands on it 🙁
It's OK, I will wait until it flops like the Titanic and just buy it cheap and used for the few games that actually matter… Too sad thou, the machine is incredible but Sony is pulling a M$ on us. What is next? Will we need two hard drives to access two PSN accounts on our PS4?
There's a lot of strange restrictions on this thing isn't there?
This isn't really very strange, and I am surprised that folks think it is. Each unique memory card functions like a personality card as well. The point though is that because games are sold on solid state media, you only need a large scale card if you're going to be buying a lot of downloadable content, which many gamers here have vowed never to do. So I can't see the problem here. buy a 2 or 4GB card for each user, and be done with it.
I wouldn't be surprised to see this somehow linked with an encryption scheme that is tied to the individual PSN account, making it more difficult to simply attack downloadable content for piracy.
Last edited by TheHighlander on 12/8/2011 11:21:10 PM
Just admit it Highlander, this is just a way for sony to get you to buy their memory cards. God knows if you'll even be able to use anything other than their memory cards.
2 or 4gb of data ain't enough to carry my music, videos and whatever my games on it require memory usage for, like updates.
Admit what? That Sony got shafted by the PSP market outisde the US and might be taking some actions to prevent that being a problem this time? Seriously, I don't see an issue here. If there are a couple of people that want to use Vita and they don't want to buy one each, all they need to do is buy a memory card each and share the vita hardware. That isn't a problem to me.
Once again, I fear people are placing mental obstacles because of a minor quibble with something.
Let the light shine in your eyes. Sony is taking way to many features from us and is now being very restrictive of their hardware. They sell more than enough products for everyone working at sony to put food on the table. They sell, tvs, cameras etc.
There is no reson for them to be this restrictive on their customers, plus the memory card prices are a let down. Doesnt make sence that buying a 30gb card cost almost as a PSV. Dont get me wrong, i will myself buy a PSV, but their ritual practices dont fly by around here.
With all the pirating that went on with the previous PSPs can you honestly blame them??
Hey Highlander,
Since I'm not tech-worthy(refer back to Seinfeld for that one, LOL), what's your take on this "account linking to your card" stopping any Vita memory card aftermarket later?
Can it kill off the whole chance of any aftermarket Vita cards even getting produced???
NO, the cards will no doubt be produced under license just like the MagicGate MemoryStick Pro Duo ones were. If you want to sell the memory card and Vita to someone else, all you do is reformat (factory reset) the card – Sony has already mentioned that.
OK, thanks Highlander,
It did have me a bit worried, but now hopefully one of my Hongkong distributors can get right on those cards pronto.
If they do(& after Iv'ed tested them out, I'll post the aftermarket sites for them
typical $ony!
gotta milk out every last dollar they can!
next they will be charging 50 cents every time you want to turn your device on!
oh you want to charge it?
that will be 59 cents.
oh you want to save your game?
that will be another 43 cents.
sigh, where does the price gouging stop!?
first they charge a ridiculous price for the unit, then they charge a ridiculous price for the games, then they charge a ridiculous price for the accessories, then they force you to buy the cards if you want to save your game, and now if you want to use 2 PSN accounts, which everyone will especially if your using it within the family, you have to buy 2 of those overpriced cards.
actually, why am i complaining?
just another reason not to buy one, this is a good thing!
I hear ya.
I'm not liking this Vita as it's getting closer to release. I don't really mind about this matter, but I certainly hope there will be aftermarket companies that will be able to make these cards.
This better not be an indication for their business practices for the PS4 and future products.
Everybody that's pissed about this, blame the pirates that completely ruined the PSP's game library. You see all of the big name games coming to the Vita from 3rd party developers? They're coming because of the lengths Sony is going to in order to make sure this thing is secure.
Is it an inconvenience? Maybe, really depends on how you look at it. I only plan to ever have one account on my Vita, so this isn't really a problem for me. Are the cards expensive? Yes, but the Vita is worth far more than $250 or $300, especially when you see an iphone selling for $600.
Pirating games ruined the PSP and Sony isn't about to make the same mistake again. These security protocols are going to attract the 3rd parties back to Sony's portable, well that and the power in the Vita. So, you really have only 2 choices in this matter. Deal with it or don't buy the Vita. Pretty simple. And while you may want to direct all of your anger at Sony, remember that your anger is very misplaced. Send some of that anger to the pirates that ruined the PSP cuz all of these security measures are stemming from that.
Last edited by Mr_Nice_Guy on 12/9/2011 7:18:45 AM
Agreed, your message won't be popular here, but I for one agree with you 100%.
Sounds like a headache… Maybe by the time I buy Vita there will be better solution.
Why is it a headache. Do you plan to share your Vita with scores of people? If not, then what is the issue? The only 'issue' is for people that don't plan to buy a Vita and wish to freeload on someone else's purchase. Now they will have to buy their own memory card to do so. Big fat hairy deal.
First we hear that the memory cards are going to be insanely expensive when compared to comparable flash memory prices and then we find out if you want more than one PSN account you must buy an additional card. You should be able to have at least two accounts(like the PS3) without having to fork over more money.
At first I was feeling pretty good about the Vita, but in the past few weeks my opinion has started to change. I WAS leaning towards a purchase, but now I am not so sure. It's the memory card prices that are the deal breaker for me. If I did get a Vita then I would most likely want the biggest card available but I do not see myself paying that much for one. Sorry.
Anyways, talk about a buzz kill. Sony had a good thing going for them regarding the Vita. Gamers seemed to be happy with its price, and in general it was mostly positive sentiments I was obeserving out there…now, not so much. I'm a little worried now.
Yeah, well, you long ago joined the crowds that will take any chance to see things negatively, so why I am not surprised.
I've been debating whether to get a 3DS or a PSV, recently I've been leaning towards the 3DS as my next handheld
(Though I will have to eventually get a Vita!)
Do people even realize that the competition has NOTHING in the way of multiple accounts?
It's just like the people who said they'd buy a 360 because non-launch PS3s couldn't play their PS2 games. Ummm, neither can the 360.
1) I can't honestly see any reason for having to purchase games on multiple accounts for one gamer.
2) Sony changed their policy on activations because the can see from hard sales and activation data as well as usage telemetry from all those PS3s out there just how many people are buying a single copy of a game on PSN activating it on 3,4 or 5 PS3s for their friends and then all 3,4 or 5 playing the same copy at the same time online. Makes it pretty bleeding obvious to Sony when they have that data at hand that their activation policy might be being abused just a tad bit, don't you think? They can also tell when those PS3s are behind the same firewall or on the same local ISP segment and so they know whether it's multiple PS3s in a single home or multiple PS3s spread over a number of households. And no, they don't need any personal information to figure that out, the IP address grouping is plenty sufficient to tell them.
3) The word 'rape' means to force someone into s sexual act against their will, generally under the threat of violence. It has nothing to do with what any corporation does in terms of pricing their product, nor is it a word that when used as a verb means to beat badly, or overwhelm, which appears to be the other trivial use of this word that people are so enamored with. The word 'rape' is a violent word and should never be used out of the proper context, it robs it of it's meaning to do so.
No problem for me, I have no need to use multiple accounts on my Vita.
A great solution to this memory card problem would be if Sony would just bundle 1 card as a starter in with the system.
I mean it doesn't have to be big card, just give us a small 4GB(or at least a 2GB card) to start with & then as we need more Gig's(I know I will), we can start buying them.
IIRC at least one bundle does.
This is atough question for me because I'm a playstation fan. (not fanboy) I love most of playstation brand products because they're usually more often than not, innovative, ahead of its time, etc. I can throw in a whole bunch of accolades their way.
The thing is there hardware usually outsells the competition. This generation they released the ps3 which in my opinion is leaps and bounds ahead of microsoft's 360 in terms of hardware and software exclusives, yet the 360 sells more in the US. (I'm not going to get into technical reasons and theories for the sales of the 360)
Nintendo is king as far as sales and most of the company's initiative is geared toward the casual gaming demographic. Sony MAY look at this and rethink their approach to gaming next gen and think about the casual market more.
It would suck because ps3 fans know and love the playstation brand for its awesome power and or plethora of great titles. The other "issue" is that Sony really did create a product that has a lot of longevity. There are so many upcoming games for the ps3 that i can't see myself replacing it anytime soon. I feel like a 2014 release is more tangible but even then…..
Holy crap i posted in the wrong board *FACEPALM* I meant to place in response to PS4's raw power inquiry