If you've used a PlayStation console, you've probably heard the term PlayStation Network (or PSN for brusque). But what really is PSN, and what does information technology do?

Let's take a await at what the PlayStation Network is, some of the services it offers, and what you should know nearly it as a PlayStation gamer.

What Is the PlayStation Network?

PlayStation Network Header

In short, the PlayStation Network is Sony's online gaming and media delivery service for PlayStation consoles and other devices. It allows anyone with a PlayStation account to admission diverse services for their gaming systems. Yous can think of it as Sony'due south equivalent to Microsoft's Xbox Live network.

The many facets of PSN allow you to play games online on your PlayStation panel, purchase digital games from the PlayStation Store, and much more than. All PlayStation online features, such equally political party chat, Remote Play, and Share Play, utilise the foundation of PlayStation Network to function.

As a effect, there'due south no one PlayStation Network website to visit—it'due south an infrastructure that powers many services. If yous're having a problem, have a look at the PlayStation Network status page to check for current known issues.

PlayStation Network History and Basics

PlayStation Network offset launched in November 2006, to coincide with the launch of the PlayStation iii. Over time, it's expanded to support the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita, and will work with the PlayStation 5 as well. Sony'due south older PlayStation Portable (PSP) too worked with PSN until 2016.

Anyone tin can create a PSN account for free. When you do, y'all'll create a PSN ID, which identifies you on the network. Other players see your PSN ID when they play with you. Starting with the PS4, you tin too share your real proper noun on your account with select friends.

Infamously, PSN suffered a major security breach in April 2011. Sony identified that hackers had infiltrated PlayStation Network and compromised the personal details of effectually 77 million PSN users.

In response, Sony took PSN offline for well-nigh a month, meaning that nobody could admission PlayStation Network to play online or buy digital games. Afterwards it was all fixed, the company gave everyone a free subscription to PlayStation Plus and a handful of free games.

PlayStation Network Services

Let'southward wait at the many services nether the umbrella of PlayStation Network.

PlayStation Plus

PlayStation Plus is a premium subscription service with several benefits. Most chiefly, it's required for online multiplayer on PS4 and PS5 (PS3 offers free online play).

Additionally, PlayStation Plus grants subscribers "free" games every month. Every bit long every bit you "purchase" them while they're complimentary, they're yours to proceed and play as long as you remain a subscriber.

Rounding out the perks are extras like increased discounts during sales, automatic arrangement updates, and deject storage for game saves. At $60 for a year's subscription, PS Plus is a solid value for any regular PlayStation player.

The PlayStation Shop

PS Store October 2020

The PlayStation Shop is Sony's digital storefront for games, add-ons, profile avatars, and similar. Yous can access it through your console or on the PlayStation Store spider web interface.

Like other digital stores, ownership games through the PS Store lets you download them straight to your console instead of having to insert a physical disc. This is quite convenient, equally new games are bachelor immediately and you don't accept to worry nigh switching game discs.

Anyone with a PSN account can access the PlayStation Store.

PlayStation Now

PlayStation Now

PlayStation Now is Sony'due south game streaming service, bachelor with a split up subscription. It allows you to play a choice of PS4, PS3, and PS2 games on your PS4 or a Windows PC. Considering yous stream the games, you don't accept to download anything to your system (though many titles are bachelor to download on PS4).

This is a peachy way to catch upwards on games that you missed from by systems, or fifty-fifty to enjoy PlayStation-sectional titles if you only accept a gaming PC.

PlayStation Trophies

PlayStation's Trophies are similar to Xbox Achievements. These are goals that yous can complete in games, such as completing a level without dying or collecting every item. Normal Trophies come in bronze, silver, and aureate variants depending on their difficulty. Platinum Trophies are special, and only unlock when you lot earn all the other Trophies for a game.

Equally you earn Trophies, you increment your "Trophy level," which displays on your profile. This is for bragging rights only, every bit Trophies take no real value (aside from some games providing y'all with a PlayStation theme or avatar for getting the platinum trophy).

PlayStation Music and PlayStation Video

While most of PlayStation Network'southward content revolves effectually video games, Sony offers other types of content on information technology, too.

PlayStation Music, which is now powered by Spotify, lets you lot savor Spotify's extensive music itemize on your PS4. You lot can open up the app to savor music through your TV, or even employ the Quick Carte du jour to listen while you play. Spotify Premium isn't required, and then information technology's a handy feature if you don't like a game'southward built-in music.

PlayStation Video, meanwhile, is a digital video service similar to iTunes, Google TV, or Amazon's Prime Video. You can hire or purchase movies and Telly shows to watch on your PlayStation panel or mobile device.

PlayStation Apps

Every bit mentioned, PSN isn't express to just PlayStation systems. You can browse the PlayStation Store using a web browser, and PS At present is available for Windows.

However, you can access PlayStation Network on the go, too. Sony offers a few apps for both Android and iOS that let you lot admission your account and use some features anywhere.

The main PlayStation App lets you bank check up on your friends, customize your profile, get alerts most messages, shop on the PS Store, and more than. It's definitely worth installing for PlayStation owners.

Download: PlayStation App for iOS | Android (Costless)

PlayStation Network Connects PlayStation Gamers

As we've seen, PlayStation Network makes all the awesome online features of modern PlayStation systems possible. Exist sure to also protect your PSN account with two-step verification. Whether you're browsing the PlayStation Store or streaming a game over PS At present, PlayStation Network powers your experience.

Prototype Credit: BONDART PHOTOGRAPHY/Shutterstock

Everything You Demand to Know Well-nigh the PlayStation v (PS5)

Read Next

About The Writer

Ben Stegner (1809 Articles Published)

Ben is the Editor in Main at MakeUseOf. He left his IT chore to write total-time in 2016 and has never looked back. He'southward been covering tech tutorials, video game recommendations, and more equally a professional person writer for over eight years.

More From Ben Stegner