AfterDawn: News

14 million active PSN accounts now, says Sony

Sony Computer Entertainment America has proudly announced that there are now 14 million active PSN accounts worldwide, matching the 14 million active users Xbox Live currently has. It is important to note however that XBL originally launched in 2002 but also costs money for a subscription. PSN is free.

As of July, Sony only had 10 million registered users who had downloaded 170 million pieces of content. That has now grown to 14 million and 273 million pieces of content.

"With 14 million active accounts and 273 million pieces of content downloaded, we know that you're thirsting for this digital entertainment," said John Koller, director of hardware marketing for SCEA.



"PlayStation Network has truly hit its stride with unique downloadable games and a video delivery service featuring movies, TV shows, and original programming that you can watch in HD with your PS3, or bring with you on your PSP."

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 18 Nov 2008 16:40

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• 14 comments

• pneboy

  i wonder how many people have 2 other regions account, i myself have 3

  18.11.2008 19:45 #1

• Hopium

  With 14 million active accounts.
  
  however they define active would be interesting i have 3 active xbox live account 2 of them will expire in a week or so cause they were free 1 months i know xbox live is gonna include them its numbers even tho i never paid a dime. does sony consider this as well? like pneboy said he has another region account so he can download demo's for games not available for his region :D you can do the same on xbox. considering there is just 17million ps3's sold i owuld assume alot of these are multi-account users and ps2 socom buffs still waiting on price drops. we know most of xbox live numbers are from the 360 cause lets face it no one owns a regular xbox anymore and is gonna pay for live on it :D so its pretty impressive of sony but remember its still counting the millions of ps2 players who tried to play a game online even once.

  18.11.2008 21:27 #2

• tavek

  This statement is half true, meaning its 7million, its jsut that those 7 forgot thier original passwords and created a 2nd account.
  Arent all stats sqewed?

  18.11.2008 22:45 #3

• Vr0cK

  To anybody that has more than 1 PSN account, would all the demos n videos that are on one account..will the other accounts have them too? i dont see a purpose in having more accounts.

  19.11.2008 08:13 #4

• wrules

  Originally posted by tavek: This statement is half true, meaning its 7million, its jsut that those 7 forgot thier original passwords and created a 2nd account.
  Arent all stats sqewed?
  Can you read it says active if you have forgotten your password then obviosuly that account wont be active, retard

  19.11.2008 12:23 #5

• IPRFenix

  Actually, no. These numbers are meaningless.
  
  Just plain having created an account, and having your system plugged into the modem/router automatically logs you into these services. Because those accounts login in when you hit the power-on button, those accounts are classified "Active". It doesn't mean that the service or anything tied to the online portion of the accounts is used. They could literally, NEVER be used after creation. But the accounts will still be counted as "active" just because they are still plugged into the net. This is only further exacerbated by the fact that PSN is not a paid service.
  
  The majority of XBL's supposedly active accounts actually WILL be active. Why? Because it's a paid service. People who spend their hard earned dollars will make sure they stretch them out as much and as far as they possibly can to get the most value out of it. A free service is nothing like that. Nothing is spent so there is nothing tying them to the service nor compelling them to actually use the service.
  
  Plus the whole multi-accounts for different regions situation.
  Basically, the figures prove nothing, show nothing, they are pointless, they don't have any inkling of accuracy. It's a stupid "hey lets brag about extremely exaggerated and inaccurate numbers" news post. What you want to know isn't how many "accounts" are active. What you really want to know is how many accounts download content from the service and play games on the service on a REGULAR (and I do mean regular) basis. They are two entirely different things/figures and the people who write these crap PR posts don't want you to know that.
  
  Even if I were to be wrong about PSN auto-logging you in, the sheer fact it's a free service is far more than enough to skew the numbers out of proportion.

  19.11.2008 16:58 #6

• NexGen76

  Originally posted by IPRFenix: Actually, no. These numbers are meaningless.
  
  Just plain having created an account, and having your system plugged into the modem/router automatically logs you into these services. Because those accounts login in when you hit the power-on button, those accounts are classified "Active". It doesn't mean that the service or anything tied to the online portion of the accounts is used. They could literally, NEVER be used after creation. But the accounts will still be counted as "active" just because they are still plugged into the net. This is only further exacerbated by the fact that PSN is not a paid service.
  
  The majority of XBL's supposedly active accounts actually WILL be active. Why? Because it's a paid service. People who spend their hard earned dollars will make sure they stretch them out as much and as far as they possibly can to get the most value out of it. A free service is nothing like that. Nothing is spent so there is nothing tying them to the service nor compelling them to actually use the service.
  
  Plus the whole multi-accounts for different regions situation.
  Basically, the figures prove nothing, show nothing, they are pointless, they don't have any inkling of accuracy. It's a stupid "hey lets brag about extremely exaggerated and inaccurate numbers" news post. What you want to know isn't how many "accounts" are active. What you really want to know is how many accounts download content from the service and play games on the service on a REGULAR (and I do mean regular) basis. They are two entirely different things/figures and the people who write these crap PR posts don't want you to know that.
  
  Even if I were to be wrong about PSN auto-logging you in, the sheer fact it's a free service is far more than enough to skew the numbers out of proportion.
  Please read the article again because your so far off the point im not going into details..........Key wordACTIVE Which mean these accounts are being used.

  19.11.2008 19:46 #7

• wrules

  Originally posted by IPRFenix: Actually, no. These numbers are meaningless.
  
  Just plain having created an account, and having your system plugged into the modem/router automatically logs you into these services. Because those accounts login in when you hit the power-on button, those accounts are classified "Active". It doesn't mean that the service or anything tied to the online portion of the accounts is used. They could literally, NEVER be used after creation. But the accounts will still be counted as "active" just because they are still plugged into the net. This is only further exacerbated by the fact that PSN is not a paid service.
  
  The majority of XBL's supposedly active accounts actually WILL be active. Why? Because it's a paid service. People who spend their hard earned dollars will make sure they stretch them out as much and as far as they possibly can to get the most value out of it. A free service is nothing like that. Nothing is spent so there is nothing tying them to the service nor compelling them to actually use the service.
  
  Plus the whole multi-accounts for different regions situation.
  Basically, the figures prove nothing, show nothing, they are pointless, they don't have any inkling of accuracy. It's a stupid "hey lets brag about extremely exaggerated and inaccurate numbers" news post. What you want to know isn't how many "accounts" are active. What you really want to know is how many accounts download content from the service and play games on the service on a REGULAR (and I do mean regular) basis. They are two entirely different things/figures and the people who write these crap PR posts don't want you to know that.
  
  Even if I were to be wrong about PSN auto-logging you in, the sheer fact it's a free service is far more than enough to skew the numbers out of proportion.
  are u also a retard like the person above me it says active and if you think that wehn the system turns on it signs in that's if you use that account!!!!! it wont sign in unactive usernames!!!

  20.11.2008 11:06 #8

• NexGen76

  Quote:Originally posted by IPRFenix: Actually, no. These numbers are meaningless.
  
  Just plain having created an account, and having your system plugged into the modem/router automatically logs you into these services. Because those accounts login in when you hit the power-on button, those accounts are classified "Active". It doesn't mean that the service or anything tied to the online portion of the accounts is used. They could literally, NEVER be used after creation. But the accounts will still be counted as "active" just because they are still plugged into the net. This is only further exacerbated by the fact that PSN is not a paid service.
  
  The majority of XBL's supposedly active accounts actually WILL be active. Why? Because it's a paid service. People who spend their hard earned dollars will make sure they stretch them out as much and as far as they possibly can to get the most value out of it. A free service is nothing like that. Nothing is spent so there is nothing tying them to the service nor compelling them to actually use the service.
  
  Plus the whole multi-accounts for different regions situation.
  Basically, the figures prove nothing, show nothing, they are pointless, they don't have any inkling of accuracy. It's a stupid "hey lets brag about extremely exaggerated and inaccurate numbers" news post. What you want to know isn't how many "accounts" are active. What you really want to know is how many accounts download content from the service and play games on the service on a REGULAR (and I do mean regular) basis. They are two entirely different things/figures and the people who write these crap PR posts don't want you to know that.
  
  Even if I were to be wrong about PSN auto-logging you in, the sheer fact it's a free service is far more than enough to skew the numbers out of proportion.
  are u also a retard like the person above me it says active and if you think that wehn the system turns on it signs in that's if you use that account!!!!! it wont sign in unactive usernames!!!
  
  
  First watch your tone because your stay here on this site wont last too long kill your childish rants & grow up.Also thxs for explaining the same thing i did it would help to read posts before you responding to someone.

  20.11.2008 14:17 #9

• glassd

  Vroc, Yes, everyone with an account on my PS3 can use\view each others content. If I buy an expansion pack or game like Pain, everyone under my master account can use them. On my PS3, Both of my daughters and son have their own account as well as myself. Each account user picks their own online user name. When playing, they select their name. Game play stats are kept up with on the account being played with. Works Just like X-Box live. The #s that Sony is showing is the same way that MS showed their #s when they reached 10,000,000 accounts.
  Wrules, If you lose your password; you just have to ansewer One question for Sony and they will inform you what your password is.
  
  I think the only difference between this artical and the one like it when X-Box hit 10 million is that Sony fans did not go and crap on the news story. I'm glad that both companys are doing well. Competition is good.

  20.11.2008 19:09 #10

• bib1234

  Quote:Quote:Originally posted by IPRFenix: Actually, no. These numbers are meaningless.
  
  Just plain having created an account, and having your system plugged into the modem/router automatically logs you into these services. Because those accounts login in when you hit the power-on button, those accounts are classified "Active". It doesn't mean that the service or anything tied to the online portion of the accounts is used. They could literally, NEVER be used after creation. But the accounts will still be counted as "active" just because they are still plugged into the net. This is only further exacerbated by the fact that PSN is not a paid service.
  
  The majority of XBL's supposedly active accounts actually WILL be active. Why? Because it's a paid service. People who spend their hard earned dollars will make sure they stretch them out as much and as far as they possibly can to get the most value out of it. A free service is nothing like that. Nothing is spent so there is nothing tying them to the service nor compelling them to actually use the service.
  
  Plus the whole multi-accounts for different regions situation.
  Basically, the figures prove nothing, show nothing, they are pointless, they don't have any inkling of accuracy. It's a stupid "hey lets brag about extremely exaggerated and inaccurate numbers" news post. What you want to know isn't how many "accounts" are active. What you really want to know is how many accounts download content from the service and play games on the service on a REGULAR (and I do mean regular) basis. They are two entirely different things/figures and the people who write these crap PR posts don't want you to know that.
  
  Even if I were to be wrong about PSN auto-logging you in, the sheer fact it's a free service is far more than enough to skew the numbers out of proportion.
  are u also a retard like the person above me it says active and if you think that wehn the system turns on it signs in that's if you use that account!!!!! it wont sign in unactive usernames!!!
  
  
  First watch your tone because your stay here on this site wont last too long kill your childish rants & grow up.Also thxs for explaining the same thing i did it would help to read posts before you responding to someone.
  YEAH!!!

  22.11.2008 20:43 #11

• martin280

  That reminds me, I need to cancel my Xbox live account!
  

  SGC Special Ops
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  http://stargate.mgm.com/specialops/link.php?urlid=35&id=7871

  22.11.2008 21:27 #12

• wrules

  Originally posted by martin280: That reminds me, I need to cancel my Xbox live account!
  do we care that you need to cancel your live account? no

  23.11.2008 06:10 #13

• Gnawnivek

  Oh boy... Who cares which one is better Live or PSN? As long as you're enjoying them, that's what really matters. The number might not mean anything, but still, regardless how you interpret the numbers, it's pretty impressive if you think about it.
  
  Anyhow, free is free, most people prefer free over fees. As for the comment regarding people want to get their money's worth (Live Gold), i can understand... Hey, i don't have a problem with you paying money, it's your money, not mines. Just saying, i like it free :) So what it's not good as Live, it's free. I can Resistance on-line, free, good enough for me. Best part? I don't have to play too hard to make sure i'm getting my money worth... I like Live, just Silver, not Gold, because it's free, lol.

  24.11.2008 14:17 #14