Update:
We can confirm the rumor as we have now received the email from Sony ourselves (see below).
Original story:
A particularly interesting email from Sony, posted on NeoGAF by user Psykotik, is starting to make its rounds at the rumor mill. The email in question states that PSN accounts will be renamed to ‘Sony Entertainment Network’ or SEN accounts with the next software update due out on February 8th.
The email emphasizes that the change will be purely cosmetic:
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.
Additionally, the email goes on to mention that PSP accounts will not undergo a name change at this time while also outlining the reasons for this change:
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.
Not to be confused with SNE, SEN is the cross-platform Sony service that handles digital distribution of music, films, books, games and more. Up until now, the PSN has managed to keep a separate identity, despite sharing the same services, but that may be set to change.
Would you miss the PSN name, or does a different title for the online service not matter? Share your thoughts in the comments below.