We were hoping the recently announced PlayStation 3 Transfer Utility would allow protected game save data to be copied to other consoles, since the data is deleted from the source PlayStation after the transfer is complete. Despite Sony Europe’s James Thorpe stating “all PS3 save data except for game saves that are protected by the game publishers,” we have word that the utility does allow protected data to be copied.
The PS3 Backup Utility also prevents protected data from being transferred, which is likely to stop most games from upgrading their console to the new Slim model. Games such as Killzone 2, Guitar Hero 5, Street Fighter 4 and more are protected by the publishers, so you will lose this data if you transfer your data to a new PS3.
Clearly, Sony needs to make it easier for users to transfer their data across to newer consoles. The Xbox 360 on the other hand has a transfer utility too, but it does allow gamers to transfer copy-protected data across with ease.
UPDATE:
There are conflicting answers from Sony regarding copying protected save data. A source has now stated the following:
“You can use this feature when replacing the PS3 system that you usually use with another PS3 system. Even saved data that is copy-protected can be transferred (moved).”